When I started blackpowder shooting I had a difficult time loading my 54 as the ball seemed too tight going down the barrel. I tried different fabric thicknesses and even pounded the starter to get the ball to start. I eventually decided to drop the size of the ball from 54 to 53 coned the muzzle and start the ball by just pushing the patched ball down the barrel with my finger just to the inside then used my main rod to drive it home. The short starter then was optional and used only if I felt like it or was pressed for time during a trail walk.
Someone new to ML like me gets tired of everyone arguing about this and that. I will just read the instructions I got with the rifle and proceed from there.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |