What are you loading as a propellant? If you are trying to shoot three four or five shots using Triple 7 pellets, or white hots or those blue things and are using a 209 primer, you’ll have what’s called a crud ring to deal with and loading in some guns can be almost impossible unless you damp swab between each shot.
This “crud ring” can begin emmediately above where the top of the pellet column is on the barrel when loaded and can extend for several inches up the bore. This ring is due to the heat of the primer at ignition. I’ve seen rods busted off trying to force a load after only one shot.
I’d pick up some Triple 7 rs granulated powder and see if the loading is easier and junk the pellets unless you want to do the swabbing. Changing to the “muzzleloader” type 209 primers [they’re cooler than shotshell reloading 209 primers] will not help the issue while shooting with the pellets.
You could switch to Pyrodex granular but I suggest you still stay away from even those pellets regardless that they are not as powerful as the T7 pellets….crud rings can happen with them too.
It should not have to be mentioned, but those package guns and all muzzleloaders regardless of brand and/or caliber and/or ignition style need to be thoroughly cleaned prior to any loades being fired. They are generally shipped with a cosmoline type of rust inhibiting grease coating the bores. To simply run a patch through before the first shot is not enough. That grease has to be brushed out using a wire cleaning brush and a solvent like Hoppes, then patched until the patches come out clean and dry. Then its ready to shoot. Shooting with any trace of that grease in there will simply cook it onto the barrel surfaces and increase the loading resistance. Coupled with pellet use and I can see a gun hardly loadable after a shot or two. Personally I’d knock the load out the breach after removing the plug and giving the barrel a super good scrubbing with the solvent, then finishing up with dry patches. If you are NOT using the BH209 powder, clean the gun thereafter with water based cleaners or windex w/ammonia. Be certain to clean the breech plug at both ends too. On the powder end use a COPPER wire to clean out the fire hole in that face of the plug. On the primer end use a drill bit that fits into the pocket and another that fits into the smaller, flame channel behind where the primer goes. Wash the plug well after using the bits and wire and dry well making certain that the fire hole is absolutely clear and you can see light thru it when held up to a light. When the barrel and plug are completely dry, run a patch damped with a small bit of oil thru the barrel and wipe down the plug and gun’s metal surfaces with a lightly oiled cloth. Store your gun with the plug NOT installed.
If you are going to stick with using pellets, carry a good supply of patches slightly damped with some windex in a sealable container or a zip lock bag. Carry dry patches in another. Simply run a damp patch thru the bore and then a dry patch or two. Pop a cap or primer, then load and primer and you’re ready to go. Loading done as such will be a whole lot easier, but there is no shortcut for doing this if you stick with the pellets and even Pyrodex and T7 granulated can cause this crud ring headache. Making the switch to the BH209 powder will make life much easier for you in the reloading department if your gun is compatible for the powder with a factory breech plug. T/C’s and Traditions package guns are ready right from the go, but CVA’s call for a plugs specifically designed for the 209 powder.
I’ve been doing this muzzle loader stuff since around 1966 and learned a few tricks. One of the most valuable was to NOT use those Powerbelt bullets. Pick up some 250 to 300 grain sabots/bullets. These will off a far better terminal performance for you and can be manipulated with a multitude of charges. And I’d really, really advise you to shoot that 209 powder, getting the necessary plug if needed to do so. The 209 powder is way less corrosive. Its nearly smoke-free upon ignition and you can shoot thirty rounds without having to run so much as a patch thru the barrel and even a $150.00 package gun can get 1″ at 100 yard accuracy with sabots/bullets.
