Polishing the bore on a new ML.............

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J-B bore compound lube outside of your patch with it and shoot at paper target. your group will get tighter and loading will get easy. 3 to 5 shots will usually solve your problems.
thanks
 
Some interesting information on polishing a bore. Found this in one of my old ML from back in the late 70's early 80's.

One thing I never thought of about polishing a bore is, according to the author, a bore that has bad places in them can hinder proper cleaning of the bore and fouling can build up.
 
I've decided to leave my Crocket Rifle as is. Its shooting better than my old eyes can see. I think it may be cutting patches but do not really know. I was able to recover several of them. Haven't shot my new to me Lyman Great Plains Rifle so we shall see.

25 yards. Nothing special but dead squirrel.
25 yard target.jpeg
 
Duelist1954 had a youtube on bore polishing because he only got 2/3 shots before he had to run a cleaning patch. I got COVID in December so I got some red scotch pads from ACE hardware and used one inch square patches with small jag, ran several patches up and down 250 times. Went out to shoot. Used to have to run a cleaning patch every second shot. Now I make it through 7 before using a cleaning patch. At least something good happened during my COVID. If I find the youtube video I'll link it here.
Duelist 1954 videos are the best on the web. Great video on polishing the bore
 
Am I missing the part where this is smoothbore or rifled? Guess since we’re in the percussion forum I’m presuming rifled…? Or does it make a difference?
I’ve polished all my smoothbores before I even showed them in most cases. On my rifled one I have not (new and unfired yet) and did not really plan to.
 
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J-B bore compound lube outside of your patch with it and shoot at paper target. your group will get tighter and loading will get easy. 3 to 5 shots will usually solve your problems.
The bore on three of my rifles, a Smith, a Sharps carbine and a Sharps rifle all have had the bores lapped with JB compound. It seems to make cleanup a little easier. Simple job but takes time.
Bunk
 
Duelist1954 had a youtube on bore polishing because he only got 2/3 shots before he had to run a cleaning patch. I got COVID in December so I got some red scotch pads from ACE hardware and used one inch square patches with small jag, ran several patches up and down 250 times. Went out to shoot. Used to have to run a cleaning patch every second shot. Now I make it through 7 before using a cleaning patch. At least something good happened during my COVID. If I find the youtube video I'll link it here.
(I think this is it)
 
In the old days the best target shooters would take their rifles to specialist gunsmiths to have the bore roughed up a bit to restore the gilt edge accuracy that was lost when the barrel shot slick.
Good bore point you brought up Uncle Miltie !
I shoot mostly vintage European & English built muzzleloaders because I enjoy the quality of the steel used & their craftsmanship.
Many firearms that I've acquired over the years were in excellent condition but had bores that were often pitted from the breach to the muzzle due to poor storage. However almost without exception after removing all of the surface debris with various grades of lube treated scotchbrite pads they were capable of producing accuracy that was equal to guns I shot with near mint bores & were not hard to load & clean..
relic shooter
 

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