Was having a blast shooting my Hawken this last weekend, adjusting sights at 50 yds. in prep for muzzleloader season. I'd shoot 2-3 prb's adjust the sights, swab out & reload.
Then I did it. after looking at the target, I walked back to the bench & proceeded to promptly seat a patched ball to the breach, with no powder! I knew instantly what I'd done by the mark on my ramrod & the sinking feeling of hearing the ball "tink" when it hit bottom.
First tried to pull the ball but my hands were too slippery to get a good purchase on the rifle & ramrod, as well as the lack of leverage to pull the rod. The first few attempts the ball puller pulled out from the ball. Tried to use one of those co2 "unloaders" to no avail. Then I remember reading somewhere ( a Sam Fidala book maybe?) about tying a rope around the ramrod then tying the rope to a tree & pulling the rifle away from the rod & ball. So I threw a few half hitches of rope around the rod, snugged up to the handle. Wrapped the other end of rope around a tree & pulled on the rifle, IT WORKED! What a feeling of relief.
I then swabbed the bore & fired another 5 or so balls, was pretty happy with the sights so I called it a day for that rifle.
So I guess I learned something; POWDER FIRST you dummy! and it sure feels good that what I've only read about, works!
Just wanted to share my "boneheaded" moment.