Problem with first shot

[Pierre]

I shoot a T/C inline and once at the range my first shot of the day is always way high. The second and the following ones are dead center. What is going on?
Thank you for your advice
Pierre

 

[mtharney]

I've been told and have found that a fouled barrel shoot better than a clean barrel. It's one of those odd faith things. You can't explain it, you just trust it.

Mike

 

[NORD]

If shooting at targets I just waste my first shot but if I am hunting I like to hunt with a clean barrel so after I load my muzzleloader for the hunt I take a cleaning patch full of SPG lube and wipe the bore down with the lube...this seems to act some what like fouling thus making your first shot hit where it is suppost to. Just my 2 cents and it works for me.

 

[Stumpkiller]

When hunting, the first shot IS the group. :g Sounds like you're having trouble with all the remaining shots.

Before the day's shooting or hunting I wipe the bore with alcohol, then a dry patch, then I run a lubed patch up and down well to re-lube the bore. My first shot is usually right in the group.

 

[roundball]

Stumpy has it right...

 

[roundball]

Nord has it right...

 

[roundball]

I get chills at the thought of intentionally fouling my barrel to go hunting...I do the same as Stumpkiller and Nord...I keep Natural Lube 1000 in the bore at all times except when it's in a bucket being cleaned

 

[Stumpkiller]

I still live by what my Daddy taught me:

"The sun should never set on a dirty gun."

A fouled barrel may be OK with smokeless powders, but you're drawing moisture and causing pitting with a muzzleloader left cruddy for any length of time. Especially if brought indoors after being out where it's cooler (condensation).

My brother-in-law has a .22LR he hasn't cleaned since he returned from the 101st Airborne. That was in 1967. :haha:

 

[NORD]

I get chills at the thought of intentionally fouling my barrel to go hunting...

Well darn...I didn't mean to go hunting with a dirty bore. All I was trying to say is that you can mimic a fouled bore using SPG lube (or thicker type of bullet lube) after you load your rifle (but don't get too carried away :nono: ) so you wouldn't have to hunt with a dirty bore to achieve the same results.

I must be crazy :youcrazy: I must not be able to write what I am thinkin'...

 

[Bountyhunter]

Using 500gr Govt bullets, my Springfield Trapdoor will shoot about 3" high at 100 on the first shot out of a clean cold barrel. Doesnt work down to center until the 3rd or 4th shot. So, when I hunt, I just hold low for the first and killing shot.

No problem, it is just knowing your gun.

My .53 Hawken is usually right on using PRB.

Bill

 

[roundball]

Your post was fine, I was agreeing with you