Fouling shot?

[oomcurt]

I am trying to understand something....from what little shooting I have done with a muzzle loader, and from what I heard....the first shot seems to be what I would call a flier...that is shots afer that appear to be where one aims. That said, what does one do when one takes a muzzle loader hunting? Prepare before hand at a range, take one shot...swab, take another and so on? I can't get it through my head that if not as I described...one would load and take a shot at the ground to foul the barrel, then load it and in the meantime spooked any game that was around.

 

[hobbles]

Mornin oomcurt
I got in that conversation, My first shot was always off, I got to tryin different stuff to sea what happens, I won't use wd-40 cause I use that to start engines, It's easier on a motor then startin fluid, I ended up tryin ARMOREALL one time and like how it seemed to fix the first shot problem (for me, so far) I even sprayed it into a flame on the stove, No fire/burn, Seems to clean my barrel pretty good also, although, I can send a dry patch down the barrel the next day and I come out with a lil brown on the patch, but that happens with bore butter and 1000 also, I haven't solved that one yet,, Seems like every time I learn one thing, I find out I got to learn 5 more things to go with it,, Sure wished I was 21 again,, I knew everything then,,,

 

[roundball]

I am trying to understand something....from what little shooting I have done with a muzzle loader, and from what I heard....the first shot seems to be what I would call a flier...that is shots afer that appear to be where one aims. That said, what does one do when one takes a muzzle loader hunting? Prepare before hand at a range, take one shot...swab, take another and so on? I can't get it through my head that if not as I described...one would load and take a shot at the ground to foul the barrel, then load it and in the meantime spooked any game that was around.

FWIW, I go to a lot of trouble to keep my rifles as squeaky clean and lubed as possible, so the last thing in the world I want to do is intentionally foul the bore and leave it that way all day.

I use nothing but Natural Lube 1000 for lube...I run a big lubed patch down a clean bore before loading and I don't have the 1st shot / following shot situation you described.

If you choose not to go that route, and you're concern is for hunting purposes, then simply sight in the rifle for the first shot POI...that's the one that needs to be dead center for hunting anyway.

 

[sneakon]

At the range, I have been swabbing between shots so that the barrel stays relatively clean all the time. I also use a version of Stumpy's moose snot as a patch lube. A guy I talked to lubes his patches with Windex and shoots all day without having to clean his barrel. Ideally, I'd like the first shot to be the same as the last, so doing something between shots that "cleans" the barrel seems like the right thing to do. For hunting, you never need a second shot right? So you can still take the time to swab or whatever to "clean" the barrel. If you need a quick second shot with no time for anything but the basic powder, patch/ball, cap, the fouling shouldn't effect the accuracy that much. At least that is my approach so far.

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Hobbles,
You must have been a late bloomer. If memory serves me correctly, could swear I knew everything by the time I was 16. :: But I'm getting off topic.
Best Wishes

 

[hobbles]

late bloomer ?? Maybe,, I thought I knew everything at 16,,, I knew I did at 21,,, mornin to ya,,,

 

[cayugad]

I am trying to understand something....from what little shooting I have done with a muzzle loader, and from what I heard....the first shot seems to be what I would call a flier...that is shots afer that appear to be where one aims. That said, what does one do when one takes a muzzle loader hunting? Prepare before hand at a range, take one shot...swab, take another and so on? I can't get it through my head that if not as I described...one would load and take a shot at the ground to foul the barrel, then load it and in the meantime spooked any game that was around.

Some rifles, not all mind you will shoot a different POI from the first shot to the next ones because the barrel is not fowled. I find this more true in the modern inline rifles then the patched roundball rifles.

Like Roundball said, sight your rifle in for a clean barrel. Then just take note of where the second one hits. Usually when shooting roundball the second shot will be the same place or very close. I have one .54 caliber that will throw about and inch on the second shot and all the rest. So I sighted in for the second shot and remember to adjust for the first shot. So far it has worked for me, and I do not get to excited at one inch difference.

If you ever want to simply fowl the barrel, drop 20 grain of black powder (or what ever you use) down it, a couple cotton patches, and touch it off. Then swab the barrel as you normally would if on the range and load. You are now fowled.

I think a lot of people avoid fowling a barrel because fowling means cleaning at the end of the day. I am not one of the remove the projectile by any other means then shooting it out. I loaded it and carried it all day, I get to shoot it!! :: I always clean my rifles anyway at the end of the day. A couple shots out of them and it will clean up in no time at all....

 

[Bob J]

I am trying to understand something....from what little shooting I have done with a muzzle loader, and from what I heard....the first shot seems to be what I would call a flier...that is shots afer that appear to be where one aims. That said, what does one do when one takes a muzzle loader hunting? Prepare before hand at a range, take one shot...swab, take another and so on? I can't get it through my head that if not as I described...one would load and take a shot at the ground to foul the barrel, then load it and in the meantime spooked any game that was around.

I use nothing but Natural Lube 1000 for lube...I run a big lubed patch down a clean bore before loading and I don't have the 1st shot / following shot situation you described.

Roundball - this is what I've been considering doing with wonder lube, that is, dry patch the bore, then run a wonder-lubed patch, then load. But will the lube affect the powder charge if left in there when hunting?

 

[roundball]

I am trying to understand something....from what little shooting I have done with a muzzle loader, and from what I heard....the first shot seems to be what I would call a flier...that is shots afer that appear to be where one aims. That said, what does one do when one takes a muzzle loader hunting? Prepare before hand at a range, take one shot...swab, take another and so on? I can't get it through my head that if not as I described...one would load and take a shot at the ground to foul the barrel, then load it and in the meantime spooked any game that was around.

I use nothing but Natural Lube 1000 for lube...I run a big lubed patch down a clean bore before loading and I don't have the 1st shot / following shot situation you described.

Roundball - this is what I've been considering doing with wonder lube, that is, dry patch the bore, then run a wonder-lubed patch, then load. But will the lube affect the powder charge if left in there when hunting?

Absolutely not...Natural Lube is not a petroleum product and as advertised, doesn't affect powder what-so-ever...it's in my bores and in the wonderwads and/or ball patches that sit on the powder as long as the rifle is loaded

 

[Slamfire]

oomcurt

Every day for a week take a shot with a clean barrel, at a special target, and see if you get a reasonable group. If you do, sight yore gun in for that shot, it'll be the best one you git. As advised above figure out where the next one is liable to land and make allowances. :thumbsup:

 

[Bob J]

Thanks. I'll be sure to try that next trip to the range. eace:

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Hobbles,
Point taken! :agree:
Best Wishes

 

[roundball]

Thanks. I'll be sure to try that next trip to the range. eace:

PS: IMHO, if you've been using petroleum based lubes, I think it would be worth the time to give the bore a very thorough cleaning with steaming hot soapy water, and hot water rinse to start leaching out the leftover oil residue prior to starting with the Natural Lube 1000...and remember: bone dry the bore, then "heavily" plaster it with NL1000
:redthumb:

 

[Bob J]

Thanks. I'll be sure to try that next trip to the range. eace:

PS: IMHO, if you've been using petroleum based lubes, I think it would be worth the time to give the bore a very thorough cleaning with steaming hot soapy water, and hot water rinse to start leaching out the leftover oil residue prior to starting with the Natural Lube 1000...and remember: bone dry the bore, then "heavily" plaster it with NL1000
:redthumb:

Roundball - I've been tempted to give your "Natural/Wonder Lube Bore Preservation Method" a try. :hmm: However, I have had excellent results with Ballistol. So several questions, if I may;

1. Isn't Ballistol considered "non-petroleum"?

2. Do you use copper or tynex bore brushes? Undersize or bore size (.50 or .54 brush in a .54)?

3. Since COMPLETE drying seems to be crucial, what do you do besides dry swabbing bore/breech and using steaming hot water? blow dryer?

4. IMHO, T.C. barrels lend themselves to faster/easier cleaning with their shallow lands and grooves. Do you think this method of bore protection will work in barrels with deeper lands and grooves such as Lyman, Green Mountain, Colerain, etc.?

5. Do you use it on exterior metal and wood?

6. Do deer seem to mind the smell? :haha:

Appreciate your thoughts on this. The beauty of your method (besides the fact that it works for you so well : is SIMPLICITY :winking:. One less thing to buy!

 

[roundball]

[quote
Roundball - I've been tempted to give your "Natural/Wonder Lube Bore Preservation Method" a try. :hmm: However, I have had excellent results with Ballistol. So several questions, if I may;

1. Isn't Ballistol considered "non-petroleum"?

>>>>>>>>>>I DON'T HAPPEN TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BALLISTOL;


2. Do you use copper or tynex bore brushes? Undersize or bore size (.50 or .54 brush in a .54)?

>>>>>>>>>>I ALTERNATE PUMP FLUSHING PATCHES THEN USING BORE SIZE OR NEXT LARGER BORE SIZE BRONZE BRUSHES EVERY TIME I CLEAN;


3. Since COMPLETE drying seems to be crucial, what do you do besides dry swabbing bore/breech and using steaming hot water? blow dryer?

>>>>>>>>>>AFTER SOAKING A HOOKED BREECH BARREL IN A LARGE 5 GALLON BUCKET OF STEAMING HOT WATER FOR 15 MINUTES, THEN CLEANING IT IN THAT BUCKET FOR ANOTHER 5 MINUTES, THE BARREL HEATS UP SIGNIFICANTLY. THEN AFTER QUICKLY PATCH DRYING THE BORE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I LET THE BARREL HEAT WORK ON ITSELF FOR 3-4 MINUTES TO ENSURE COMPLETE DRYING BEFORE LUBING IT;


4. IMHO, T.C. barrels lend themselves to faster/easier cleaning with their shallow lands and grooves. Do you think this method of bore protection will work in barrels with deeper lands and grooves such as Lyman, Green Mountain, Colerain, etc.?

>>>>>>>>>>TC's STANDARD 1:48" BARRELS HAVE .006" GROOVES, TC's 1:66" RB BARRELS HAVE .010" GROOVES, AND GM's RB BARRELS HAVE .012" GROOVES...I OWN, SHOOT, AND CLEAN THEM ALL THE SAME WAY;


5. Do you use it on exterior metal and wood?

>>>>>>>>>>NO, BOUGHT A LARGE CASE OF MIL SPEC MEDIUM WEAPONS OIL/GREASE SUSPENSION YEARS AGO AT A GUN SHOW...IT's ALL I USE ON EVERYTHING EXTERNAL;


6. Do deer seem to mind the smell? :haha:

>>>>>>>>>>EVIDENTLY NOT...::

[/quote]

:redthumb:

 

[Bob J]

Thanks, Roundball! :thumbsup:

 

[tg]

I thought Natural Lube was parrafin based?

 

[roundball]

I thought Natural Lube was parrafin based?

Call Thompson / Center and find out...let us know what they say

 

[tg]

I was thinking the Mad Monk did an analysis of the product and determined it was a praffin based product, maybe not but it seems that was his report.

 

[Slamfire]

For complete drying a barrel full of alcohol will grab all the water left after a couple of minutes evaporation, and leaves no residue. :winking: