Fouling the barrel before a hunt?

[Jaeger]

Just as an FYI, Ben, I think fouling the bore a little by firing off just powder is called a SQUIB SHOT. I think I've read that British cannoneers did this to improve accuracy. It's the King's English! That being said, I personally wouldn't do it. If your rifle is loaded and patched correctly, it should be optimum when clean and loaded.

 

[robinsroost]

Like most of the others, my short answer is "No". I sight my guns in with clean bores and I don't see any difference in accuracy with a fowled bore. But, if I load my hunting rifle and don't shoot it, I will leave it loaded until the hunt is over or I shoot at game, which ever comes first. Keep yer powder dry........Robin :wink:

 

[Skychief]

My bores are always clean when I begin a hunt.

 

[Spikebuck]

As most of the posts have indicated, I too hunt with a clean bore. But I will add that I work up a load that shoots clean or "dirty." My test for hunting loads is that I can shoot a minimum of three shots that accurately place on the target from clean for the first through fowled. Most often, many more are possible with very good accuracy.

I think Roundball posted a picture here once that showed the results of one of his shooting sessions with "dozens" of shots on one target in virtually one ragged hole with no wiping.

 

[longcruise]

My bores are always clean when I begin a hunt.

Mine too :thumbsup:

And, I always hope it will be dirty at the end!

 

[Gunthar0321]

Was the book in reference to muzzleloaders? I know the first shot cold bore logic for for a modern rifle but I wouldnt think most muzzleloaders would have the consistency to make much of a difference. However this is just a WAG so I could be wrong.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

My bores are always clean when I begin a hunt.

Mine too

And, I always hope it will be dirty at the end!

Mine Three! :thumbsup:

LD

 

[Okie Hog]

I sight in so the first shot from a clean barrel is right on. I really don't want to wander around all the time with a fouled barrel.

Works for me too.

 

[Vaino]

I have a.45 flint LR for squirrels and a .54 Hawken that I built for elk and after much range work finding accurate loads for both, haven't noticed any difference in POI between the first shot and subsequent shots w/ a fouled, unswabbed bore.

The difference between a clean and fouled bbl would probably be more apparent in the .45 LR because only head shots are taken on squirrels and I've experienced no difference in POI.

When I used a .50 TC Hawken w/ conicals on elk, a fouled bore kept the conical on the charge...tried some tamped newsprint ahead of the conical w/ a clean bbl but the accuracy went to pot. That's why I built the .54 Hawken and use PRBs.

I don't swab between shots while at the range or while hunting....after the PRBs become hard to load, a bronze wire brush is sent down the bore a couple of times and the debris is dumped. Much easier to load after that.

I consider my MLers {not my builds which are all sold} as tools for hunting and wouldn't own a hunting MLer that req'd a lot of fussing because of poor ignition, poor accuracy if the bore isn't swabbed after each shot and picking the vent after every shot.....Fred

 

[wtilenw]

I run a patch down the barrel with alchol to remove the oil. Then I run a dry patch down and pop couple caps. when the patch is removed the patch should have a burn mark on it. If it doesn't don't load it until you get the problem fixed as it won't fire. I sight my rifle in to shoot to point of aim with a clean dry barrel. My rifle may stay loaded for a number of days until I find a deer I want.

Roger That. Exactly what I do. Works great. I use 91% Alcohol.