Fouling shots

[Stumpkiller]

The trick is to work up a load for your gun that puts the first shot, the most important one, in the bullseye . . . and the second shot . . . and the third.

People argue about there being no such thing as "hunting accuracy" vs. "target accuracy" but here is a prime example. A rifle that puts shots #2 through 11 in a 2" group is worth less to me if shot #1 is 6 inches wide and erratic at 50 yards than a rifle that puts shots 1 through 10 in a 4" group at 50 yards every time.

You can also sight in taking one shot, then wiping the rifle mostly clean and letting it sit a few minutes before repeating. Sight it in for the cold, clean first shot.

Or use a lube that doesn't build up and leaves the bore relatively clean for all shots (regulars will know where this is going . . . :rotf: )

 

[Slamfire]

I've used a "oneshot" group to tune up huntin' rifles since the early 70s. Even with suppository rifles, one shot each day from a cold, clean and dry barrel every day for the last week before the season. Then I know where the first shot is goin'. :winking:

 

[Blizzard of '93]

That's my practice also. I dry patch after every shot when plinking and hunt with a fouled bore that I've dry patched. I don't go out if it's raining heavily anyway. If just 'misting' or sprinkling I run a lightly lubed patch in-out after loading to keep flash rust down. After hunting in wet conditions I shoot my load out and clean again anyway before reloading. Haven't had any rust problems.

 

[playfarmers]

My rifle puts the first 3 shots inside of 2" at 50 yards with no problem at all. Most of the time the holes touch each other. This season I fired 4 shots and the last shot took a buck through the side of his head at 35 yards, as that was all that was showing.