Was Dutch right about wiping between shots?

I had issues with cleaning between shots.
I generally fire 25 rounds a session, and don't need cleaning between rounds. My barrels are lapped, and easy to load and clean. I use simple green + water to clean, and balistrol as a final clean. I don't believe in "oils". Maybe the cleaning and barrels condition helps with the no clean between shots?

I've been using Dutch's method inc. wiping between shots for the past 20+ years and it's worked for me. It forces me to pay a little more attention to my loading procedure and as a result I can't recall the last time I dry balled; it's been a while. Long ago when I was young I'd rush to get off the next shot and that's when "stuff" happens. The only speed-up I still use is coning all my muzzles to allow for ease of starting at the muzzle. For me, adding the extra step of wiping between shots helps with consistent accuracy and ease of loading which my old hands now cherish more than ever.

French Colonial said:

Offhand matches are the only ones I care about, for those of you who want to use Dutch's method, GREAT! I am happy for you.

I bought the book and experimented with the drying out of the Machine oiled dry lubed patches and the whole nine yards and shot off a good solid benchrest and accuracy was OK, not any better than my usual method but OK.

For offhand matches or hunting or woods walks it "in my opinion" is not worth the bother.

For offhand matches and the like people should work on getting a consistent shooting position, dry firing to reduce flinching and follow through, and follow through (yes, it is that important). Those habits will boost your scores.

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I shoot because I enjoy it. I don't hunt but often shoot competition not because I need trophies or titles, but because I enjoy competing and socializing with other shooters.

I've shot just about every discipline from NRA service rifle / F-class, to USPSA/IDPA, to Skeet/sporting clays, to Sillhoette, Centerfire/rimfire Benchrest, airgun field-target, Schutzen, and now muzzleloading.

There are many ways, to do just about anything, and I like to discuss, learn, and try for myself, as many of them as I can in terms of shooting.

Snug spit patch.

No need to wipe between shots even after 20-30.

Smokey Plainsman said:

Snug spit patch.

No need to wipe between shots even after 20-30.

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Didn't get very good accuracy with spit, as shown on the test target below.

French Colonial said:

Offhand matches are the only ones I care about, for those of you who want to use Dutch's method, GREAT! I am happy for you.

I bought the book and experimented with the drying out of the Machine oiled dry lubed patches and the whole nine yards and shot off a good solid benchrest and accuracy was OK, not any better than my usual method but OK.

For offhand matches or hunting or woods walks it "in my opinion" is not worth the bother.

For offhand matches and the like people should work on getting a consistent shooting position, dry firing to reduce flinching and follow through, and follow through (yes, it is that important). Those habits will boost your scores.

Click to expand...

I agree with this. Having shot military match for years, offhand should consume 90% of your shooting time. It translates to kneeling, sitting and prone positions.
I shoot my flintlock long rifles for the express purpose of increasing military match scores.

I’ve always had a dilemma that I can’t resolve. The dilemma being, did the expert riflemen of the revolutionary war who decimated the Indian scouts and later the British officers actually run around pounding balls down their rifle barrels and swabbing between shots? I think not.
They were expert offhand shoots which is why the long rifle developed into the perfect offhand instrument. The only thing even close to its design perfection is the M1 Garands that I use.

So what did they know that we do not? I’m not really into thinking that I have all the answers or even half of them.

I would say that they knew how to shoot. And if they needed a perfect shot (squirrels), they got close.

I have a new englander .50 with a slightly pitted bore. Bought it for almost nothing. I get one hole accuracy at 50 yards with a peep sight. I weigh the round balls I use. I use no patch lube , spit, oil, ect. Completely dry. It’s a loose patch, pushes down with no struggle. But I use a wad of cream of wheat or a wool wad between the powder and ball. I believe that makes the black powder burn more completely. I wipe between shots with a lightly damp patch , both sides. But I must dismount the barrel after 15 shots or so for a thorough bucket of water cleaning, the Thomson center breech needs it or it’s misfire city.

Sam squanch said:

But I must dismount the barrel after 15 shots or so for a thorough bucket of water cleaning, the Thomson center breech needs it or it’s misfire city.

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This is what I am seeking the best solution for. Accuracy is very important, but so is reliability. High performance equals tighter tolerances and thus less reliability. This is why soldiers and hunters don't usually use benchrest rifles. That being said, finding the right balance for what you do, is 90% of the fun!