Poof! (How to shoot powder without a load)

[TreeMan]

A slick bore buttered bore will definitely cause a flyer compared to a once fouled barrel or even one cleaned between shots. I just use WD 40 for storage and give all my guns and fresh WD bore wipe every couple weeks if I’m not shooting them. Before I do any shooting I clean it all out with chlorine free break cleaner. Wipe with a MAP patch and start shooting. My first shot hits same point of aim as all that follow. I wipe between every shot at the range.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Many guns shoot differently between clean and fouled, between cold and heated, etc. Particularly with barrel bands or barrel tennons half tight with a tight tenon. When I shot intercollegiate indoor gallery shooting, the thick barrels guns would shoot differently when cold than when warm fro m shooting. In fact, we were encouraged to keep shooting at a regular pace for our entire group of relays sho the barrels would not cool off or get so warm that the bore would be off.

 

[renegadehunter]

I also suspect that the bore butter is some of the issue, but patch thickness could also be some of it if you're not running a very tight fit? I store with barricade and don't bother trying to swab it out before loading the first shot, for the protection it offers as I will leave mine loaded the whole season if needed. My first shot is always lower than my next shots, even though I swab every shot, so the fouling after the first shot is tightening up the fit and increasing the velocity I think. My windage is always good on the foul shot, so it basically works out that my foul shot is a 50 yard zero and my shots after that are a 75 yard zero (my preferred zero). If your foul shot is fine windage wise, perhaps this method would work for you too? My PRB fit is pretty tight too, a very firm smack is required on the starter.
The suggestions of using a bit thicker patch for the first shot are probably pretty good ideas if your foul shot is just low but fine windage wise.

 

[Cowboy]

Just my two cents from my personal experience and with those who shoot with me.

Prior to any shooting event’s, wether range or woods walks competition’s, we all take a fouling shot if we choose to do so ? Most all of us do.

For a hunting situation I’d put a small amount of powder down the bore to fire prior to entering your planned hunting area. After the bore is fouled, I’d then load and trek in to your desired location.

After the hunt if you didn’t shoot, I’d fire the ball out. Properly clean the bore for a fresh start the next day. Repeat the same process.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[GREENSWLDE]

I follow Feltwad and most Brits on this except I always load powder followed with a full wad column.Card (Fire wall) Kleena Card (Under shot) but NO shot. Works for me..
OLD DOG

 

[bcbdmorrison]

I follow Feltwad and most Brits on this except I always load powder followed with a full wad column.Card (Fire wall) Kleena Card (Under shot) but NO shot. Works for me..
OLD DOG

I use patches soaked with gain dish soap.cleans the barrel every time you run a ball down. hold good groups

 

[user 36911]

I didn't read the whole thread. Just a quick question. The first shot on a clean bore you call a flyer. Is it just a different POI from a fouled bore or a true flyer that always has a different POI. If the clean bore shot is a consistent group but just a different POI to the fouled group. Then just sight in the gun for the clean bore shot and swab clean for every shot while hunting.

That's just in case you don't want to hunt with a fouled bore.

 

[Dibbuk]

I didn't read the whole thread. Just a quick question. The first shot on a clean bore you call a flyer. Is it just a different POI from a fouled bore or a true flyer that always has a different POI. If the clean bore shot is a consistent group but just a different POI to the fouled group. Then just sight in the gun for the clean bore shot and swab clean for every shot while hunting.

That's just in case you don't want to hunt with a fouled bore.

That is what I do. The club I shoot at requires swabbing after every shot, anyway, so I have no problem.