Adobe .PDF - Thompson Center Arms

Set the rifle on its butt and hold the muzzle away from your face andbody as pictured on page 26.Pour the measured charge down the barrel and strike the side of the barrelseveral sharp raps with the heel of your hand. This will settle the powderinto the chamber area of the barrel.IF YOU ARE LOADING A ROUND BALL WITH PATCH PROCEEDAS FOLLOWS:Lay your lubricated cloth patch over the muzzle and place the round ballin the center of the patch. Uniformity is important. Be certain that the patchis centered and that the weave of the cloth is placed exactly the same eachtime. Also, the sprue mark (flat section on a cast ball) should be in the up positionand carefully centered.Place the stubby end of the bullet starter on the top of the ball, as shownin Photo “A”, and apply pressure until the ball starts into the barrel. A tightlypatched ball will require a good deal of pressure and it starts suddenly. It willusually “snap” smartly into the barrel flush with the muzzle.PHOTO AStart the ball with the stubbyend of the Bullet Starter.A tight fitting combination willload smartly. Never attempt tostart the ball with the ramrod.Used improperly the ramrodwill break and possibly injureyour hand.Once the ball is started, reverse the bullet starter, as shown in Photo “B”,and place the rod end on the top of the ball. With a sharp blow of the hand,drive the ball down about four inches into the barrel. The ball and patch havenow been formed to the rifling and will (if the bore is not fouled) load easilyfrom this point.30