Blowing down the barrel

[tenngun]

You can't but it is better to lose a finger or two than to lose your face. I also have never seen any have a gun go off without a cap or flint helpjng it? You here things which may or may not be true?

Contrary to Mark Twain. Unloaded guns don’t go off at all. And blowing done the muzzle is only done on an empty gun.

 

[FishDFly]

Wonder how many folks are shot each year with unloaded guns?

 

[deerstalkert]

Wonder how many folks are shot each year with unloaded guns?

lets add some relevancy .

Wonder how many folks are shot each year with unloaded muzzleloaders?

what one sees after firing a muzzleloader is smoke lingering in the barrel. that smoke as it cools then attaches to fouling on the inside of the bore and breech, thereby increasing that fouling.
i for one like to reduce fouling as much as i can. blow it out of the vent and you reduce fouling and assure that the vent/nipple is clear for the next load. ymmv.

 

[TDM]

Agree with @deerstalkert.


Now let’s try for 9 pages.

 

[FishDFly]

"i for one like to reduce fouling as much as i can. blow it out of the vent and you reduce fouling and assure that the vent/nipple is clear for the next load. ymmv."

A damp cleaning patch accomplishes the same thing does it not?

 

[deerstalkert]

"i for one like to reduce fouling as much as i can. blow it out of the vent and you reduce fouling and assure that the vent/nipple is clear for the next load. ymmv."

A damp cleaning patch accomplishes the same thing does it not?

i don't know, i don't use a damp patch. blowing out the smoke allows me to shoot as long as i want without swabbing.

 

[FishDFly]

If blowing down a barrel is a safe practice, why would a national organization not allow it at their sanctioned matches along with a lot of state organized matches?

Always wondered why the disparity?

Any one have insight into why?

 

[TDM]

If blowing down a barrel is a safe practice, why would a national organization not allow it at their sanctioned matches along with a lot of state organized matches?

Always wondered why the disparity?

Any one have insight into why?

Lawyers

 

[Greg_E]

So... Lets say you use compressed air. Is that of value?

Does the compressed air need to be bubbled through water to pick up moisture?

Does anyone actually believe that blowing "fresh air" into the barrel before loading really affects how the powder burns for the next shot?

Yes, now I'm playing the troll card, but they are valid questions.

So far the only legitimate point that can be proven is that it could help clear the flash hole or nipple. And something that I could see if using DIY percussion caps like we are kind of being forced to do.

 

[david w]

I never blew down any of my barrels, and never had an issue with burning embers.

So... Lets say you use compressed air. Is that of value?

Does the compressed air need to be bubbled through water to pick up moisture?

Does anyone actually believe that blowing "fresh air" into the barrel before loading really affects how the powder burns for the next shot?

Yes, now I'm playing the troll card, but they are valid questions.

So far the only legitimate point that can be proven is that it could help clear the flash hole or nipple. And something that I could see if using DIY percussion caps like we are kind of being forced to do.

My understanding is there may be burning embers in the barrel, and blowing down the barrel is supposed to snuff it.

 

[deerstalkert]

i never heard of the burning embers reason until it was mentioned here. all the old charcoal burners that i hung around in my youth did it for fouling and clearing the vent/nipple.
my memory is not what it used to be, but it seems that flint shooters did it more than the cap busters. anyone else see that?

 

[Ballshooter]

Wonder how many folks are shot each year with unloaded guns?

I am sure the left could answer that...lol

 

[tenngun]

Wonder how many folks are shot each year with unloaded guns?

Zero

 

[Omahkapi'si]

As Popeye would say “Well blow me down!”

 

[jmull4609]

It's amazing that these types of threads persist...

 

[French Colonial]

So... Lets say you use compressed air. Is that of value?

Does the compressed air need to be bubbled through water to pick up moisture?

Does anyone actually believe that blowing "fresh air" into the barrel before loading really affects how the powder burns for the next shot?

Yes, now I'm playing the troll card, but they are valid questions.

So far the only legitimate point that can be proven is that it could help clear the flash hole or nipple. And something that I could see if using DIY percussion caps like we are kind of being forced to do.

It provides moisture, it does not affect how the powder burns it affects how moist the fouling is.

My scores have "proven" it works over the years.

People are so obstinate.

 

[dave951]

It provides moisture, it does not affect how the powder burns it affects how moist the fouling is.

My scores have "proven" it works over the years.

People are so obstinate.

There is a reason the BPCR guys use "blow tubes".

 

[French Colonial]

There is a reason the BPCR guys use "blow tubes".

Absolutely correct.

 

[Whughett]

Wonder how many folks are shot each year with unloaded guns?

Absolutely Zero. Would not go bang unless loaded.

 

[sturmkatze]

If blowing down a barrel is a safe practice, why would a national organization not allow it at their sanctioned matches along with a lot of state organized matches?

Always wondered why the disparity?

Any one have insight into why?

Because they are CYA due to a Darwin event years ago. For years everyone did it. The answer is, only YOU load your gun, not someone else.

Are you bring obtuse on purpose?