Loading issues

[Black Hand]

I tried the load that I fired when it got stuck first to compare. It still got stuck on the second shot but this time it was almost the whole way down the barrel and it was a lot easier to pull the ball. After I cleaned it good I started trying different things. I found that I could get a second shot if I used .10 patch 3f powder and spit as patch lube. Very tight though and it took more effort than it should. I tried a few different combinations of 3 different patch sizes, lube and powders. Something cool I found out is spit on a patch will clean the barrel enough to allow me to easily load a second and third shot.

You may find that a grease-based lube (lard works well and is inexpensive) will help considerably with the loading process. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to load & shoot 15-20 balls (or more) before swabbing the barrel. A good lube appears to keep fouling soft and facilitates smooth loading shot after shot. The only time I've seen fouling become an issue sooner is under hot and very low humidity conditions

 

[DEPUTY346]

In between each shot I use a patch coated in Windex to clean the bore. My Barrel runs better groups with a clean bore.

 

[Tanker]

Been out of the loop for a few days sorry about the late response. I think a plan I have going forward since reading about using lard is once flintlock season is over I will take it to the range and tinker with it. I believe the rifle is a good shooter and the right combination may be the ticket. I think a thinner lube may help it. Here why I say that. It seems to have a lot more BP fouling than my TC. Maybe a thinner lube will reduce it since more would be burned during firing. Just a theory.

 

[Black Hand]

Olive oil may also be an option (also available in the 18th & 19th century - known as Sweet Oil). I prefer Bear grease, as the least amount of heat (even from my fingers) softens the lube (similar to lard in some/many respects)

 

[azmntman]

Not historically correct but....Hoppes Blk Pwdr Solvent & patch lube will cure all fouling issues. You use a damp patch(pretty damp not dripping) after loading powder and the Hoppes CLEANS yer bore as you seat the ball. All the fouling pushed on top of powder an shot out. If I ever give up Dutch Schultz system its all I will go back to. Amazon was my last source.

 

[Dr5x]

If you are using a specific procedure in loading and after a while it doesn't work for you anymore. it would indicate to me that quietly and unnoticed by yourself you changed something.
That's why I suggest writing down exactly what you are doing when things are going well so that when things change you can go back and see what used to work so well.

My shooting went waaay to hell on me and I was near considering giving the whole sport up til I heard myself say.
The only thing I changed was my wiping patches"

I bit of research showed me that the fuzzy bunny flannel wiping patches I had recently bought were half as thick (compressed measurement) as the GI patches I had been using and the new "half-as-thick" patches were not sweeping the black powder residue from the barrel and the crud was baking on and causing me to shoot what was actually an increasing smaller bore as the layer upon layer was baking on to the rifling.
Went back to the GI patches and Bingo I was back to the small groups had learned to appreciate..
That's when I began writing down every aspect of my loading procedure.


I have a hard time seeing what I'm writing and may have to discontinue showering you folks with typos

Claude is there a way to enlarge the type so us under deprived handicapped newly blind jerks can continue?

Dutch Schoultz

 

[excess650]

"I have a hard time seeing what I'm writing and may have to discontinue showering you folks with typos

Claude is there a way to enlarge the type so us under deprived handicapped newly blind jerks can continue?

Dutch Schoultz"

Press an hold the "ctrl" key and press the"+" and it will enlarge the screen. I've typed this in bold to make it easier to read without enlarging.

 

[azmntman]

If you are using a specific procedure in loading and after a while it doesn't work for you anymore. it would indicate to me that quietly and unnoticed by yourself you changed something.
That's why I suggest writing down exactly what you are doing when things are going well so that when things change you can go back and see what used to work so well.

My shooting went waaay to hell on me and I was near considering giving the whole sport up til I heard myself say.
The only thing I changed was my wiping patches"

I bit of research showed me that the fuzzy bunny flannel wiping patches I had recently bought were half as thick (compressed measurement) as the GI patches I had been using and the new "half-as-thick" patches were not sweeping the black powder residue from the barrel and the crud was baking on and causing me to shoot what was actually an increasing smaller bore as the layer upon layer was baking on to the rifling.
Went back to the GI patches and Bingo I was back to the small groups had learned to appreciate..
That's when I began writing down every aspect of my loading procedure.


I have a hard time seeing what I'm writing and may have to discontinue showering you folks with typos

Claude is there a way to enlarge the type so us under deprived handicapped newly blind jerks can continue?

Dutch Schoultz

Im still using yer system my friend, just saying the next best thing I have ever used was the hoppes. You certainly shrunk my groups and thats what you said you'd do! :thumbsup:

 

[Dr5x]

Excess650
Thank You.
That didn't work on a Mac but it pointed the way to how a very similar move would.

You'll be sorry.
Now I can continue to send out my blather with probably the sane amount of of typos.


I repeat, If you are doing something right, write it down because as you age the mind plays funny tricks and small changes will work themselves into your magic and screw everything up and you'll wonder why.

You're only old once, so enjoy it

Dutch Schoultz

 

[Don Steele]

Folks...
Ya'll oughta reread this little bit of wisdom from Dutch a coupla times.
"I repeat, If you are doing something right, write it down because as you age the mind plays funny tricks and small changes will work themselves into your magic and screw everything up and you'll wonder why."
The only thing I would add to Dutch's suggestion is to also record what you discover you did WRONG.
I started keeping detailed notes in 3 ring binders for all of my shooting, of all types of firearms.
Just yesterday, After running a bunch of RB's I had an occasion to look back at my "Casting Notes" for that particular caliber/mould and found some answers to a question I was having.
I enjoy so many different calibers, in a wide variety of firearms over about 55 yrs or so, that I can't always remember the "little things". Having detailed notes REALLY helps.
Thanks Dutch. :hatsoff:

 

[Dr5x]

Da,
A thought.
If you are one of my fellow nut cases about patch thickness precision AND you have more than one rifle, try to a noticeably different looking cloth material for each rifle so you don't get them confused. It is not too often that the same material will work for for two different rifles but try to keep them distinguishable one from the other.
To my surprise both of my rifles DID work like magic with the ame cloth and the barrels were from widely different sources.Green Mountain and a 25 year defunct outfit in Montana.

Dutch
n