Punctured shooting patches

[cafi95]

Hi everyone !

Just to have some advice about those fired patches that are puzzling me !

Rifle : Pedersoli Hawken .54
Bullet : .535
Patches : coton, 0.010"
Between BP and bullet : small load of polenta

They look to be punctured ... but why ?

I guess these holes have been done before shooting when forcing the bullet inside the barrel.

May be I'm wrong ...

Do I have to change anything ? Can those patches damage my rifle ? (hot gas leaks along the bullet ... and the barrel)

Despite of that, the bullet is going straight into the target at 100 yards.

Thanks for any advice !

All the best.

Philippe

 

[azmntman]

Don't look to bad to me? Is this a new rifle? If so need 100 rounds through it to break in. .535 is a tight ball, .010 patch seems right for it. Consider using a felt wad between powder and ball. Or a .530 ball and .015 patch. Gotta play with it for best load. No this wont hurt the rifle.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

[Cpl. Ashencheeks]

As far as I can tell you just need to break your rifle in.

I have a barrel in .45 that has only been proofed, and when I ran a few patched balls through it, the patches had the same look when looking at them.

A few sessions at the range will take care of that.

Soft pure lead PRBs only will probably be the best thing for it.

 

[nchawkeye]

Your barrel lands are cutting the patch...Take some emory cloth, put on your finger and smooth them just a bit...

 

[Rifleman1776]

What has been said is correct. New barrel cutting the patches. Might self correct with shooting. Some lapping, if done right, can help quicker.
Polenta is for eating. Not needed.

 

[Patocazador]

Try running a tight patch soaked in JB Bore Paste up and down the barrel about 50-100 strokes. Or use 0000 steel wool for 50 strokes.

That should remove the sharp edges of the rifling.

 

[necchi]

These are some patches fired from my GM 54.
They're just fine;

You say;

Despite of that, the bullet is going straight into the target at 100 yards.

If that is the case, I wouldn't change a thing, :thumbsup:

 

[cafi95]

Thanks a lot for these answers ... :v

Yes indeed this rifle is brand new and has only fired no more than 100 rounds !

I haven't so far realize that when the rifle lands are new ... that have cutting edges ! That now seems obvious to me ... thanks to your replies !

So I'll do nothing ... just fire again and again until ... the rifling smoothens by itself.

This rifle is really wonderful ... shooting either round balls (my load for target shooting 54 gr. Swiss n°3) or the heavy conical Hornady Great Plains bullet with 100 gr. S3 (for hunting in the future with that gun) ... with a great accuracy.

All the best ! :wink:

Philippe

 

[longcruise]

If they are getting cut when you start the ball, you can shoot it forever and it will not wear in. A .010 patch is pretty thin. Might try a thicker one with your present ball and maybe thicker with a smaller ball.

 

[cafi95]

Yes that's true !

But using a thicker patch involve using a smaller ball as you say ... so I should have to get another mold ...

Before to purchase a new one, I could have some trials with manufactured bullets ... then purchase the mold if that fits.

Nethertheless, if it works properly like that ... why to change anything ? (good accuracy, no gun damage)

Philippe

 

[azmntman]

:thumbsup:

 

[Dphar]

Hi everyone !

Just to have some advice about those fired patches that are puzzling me !

Rifle : Pedersoli Hawken .54
Bullet : .535
Patches : coton, 0.010"
Between BP and bullet : small load of polenta

They look to be punctured ... but why ?

I guess these holes have been done before shooting when forcing the bullet inside the barrel.

May be I'm wrong ...

Do I have to change anything ? Can those patches damage my rifle ? (hot gas leaks along the bullet ... and the barrel)

Despite of that, the bullet is going straight into the target at 100 yards.

Thanks for any advice !

All the best.

Philippe

Get some 400 or 600 wet or dry paper.
Cut a 1.5" square. Force this against the muzzle with your thumb and rotate. This will polish the crown and should fix it. Be sure to work around the muzzle so it is uniform. Might need to use a double thickness, 1.5 x 3 folded
If this does not fix it then 0000 steel wool on a tight patch with a little oil 10 strokes or so.

Dan

 

[Dphar]

Hi everyone !

Just to have some advice about those fired patches that are puzzling me !

Rifle : Pedersoli Hawken .54
Bullet : .535
Patches : coton, 0.010"
Between BP and bullet : small load of polenta

They look to be punctured ... but why ?

I guess these holes have been done before shooting when forcing the bullet inside the barrel.

May be I'm wrong ...

Do I have to change anything ? Can those patches damage my rifle ? (hot gas leaks along the bullet ... and the barrel)

Despite of that, the bullet is going straight into the target at 100 yards.

Thanks for any advice !

All the best.

Philippe

And I would go to a thicker patch.

Dan

 

[jamesthomas]

France? France? you mean waaay over there on the other side of the Big Water? :grin: Glad you can join us and your barrel will smooth out after a few hundred rounds, just keep shooting her. Your doing some good shootin' there at 100 yards :bow: . I would need a scope to shoot that far .

 

[twig]

My 36 did the same thing for the first 100 or so rounds...I just cleaned it good after shooting each time and kept on shooting now it doesn't cut at the rifleing after it broke in w .018 patches. With my .015 I get some blow by cutting..
I am kinda new to this but I just kept shooting it and all is good now...bore shines like a mirror after it is cleaned out. If your getting good groups I would not worry.
twig

 

[Dandyfunk]

Once again guys, great info for this new guy!!

 

[cafi95]

Great !

So I'm gonna take some time to observe ... before to decide what to do. Right now ... nothing !

Within a couple a week (I'm very busy !), I'll shoot with either round or conical bullets at 100 yards to compare the results. I'll post the best ...

I took so far a lot of time firing my handguns and not my rifle ... which was in standby ...

I'll keep you advised of the results. :wink:

Philippe

 

[Loyalist Dave]

That's typical of many of the Pedersoli rifle barrels. May not necessarily be at the crown... may be in the bore as well.

My Cabela's Blue Ridge Hunter (made by Pedersoli) benefitted from running several small, cut squares of 3M "green scrubbie" bought at the local super market in the dishwashing aisle.

LD

 

[nchawkeye]

If you want to check to see if it's the crown or the rifling cutting those patches then cut a strip of ticking about 12-18 inches long, start the ball and pull it back out...

It it's the crown you will see the cuts...

 

[cafi95]

Very good idea !

Will do that right now ...

Philippe