swab between shots?

[crockett]

I routinely swab between shots. I got started on this because I was shooting a 54 caliber with a 1/38 twist and conical bullets and if I didn't swab it was almost impossible to ram the bullet down the bore. I then got another 54 caliber rifle with a 1/66 twist and switched to patched balls. I shoot 90 to 100 grains of FFg black and I can reload once without swabbing and maybe three times but then it gets pretty tough. I hear some guys shoot six or more times without swabbing. Am I doing something wrong or are they just kidding me? Would lapping the bores make a difference?

 

[musketman]

Are they using FFFg instead of FFg?

FFFg will burn a tad cleaner and you can tweek out an few extra shots that way...

Other factors are the patch/ball fit, looser fitting combos load easier than tighter ones...

Depth of the riflings will also dictate loading ease and number of shots between swabbings...

 

[roundball]

The type lube used is a significant factor...I shoot 40 shots on a Saturday range session and never wipe between shots...using both Goex FFFg and FFg, 60grns target or 100grn hunting loads, doesn't matter...there are probably several lubes that will provide the same results...I happen to use natural lube 1000...makes a range trip a shooting event instead of a cleaning event

 

[Rebel]

I can fire 10-12 shots, sometimes more, without wiping the bore, but i use Goex 3f powder. If you are using Elephant powder that is probably wherein your problem lies. Pack it all up and send it to Dave K. He really likes that Elephant stuff. :: ::

 

[Ohio Joe]

Crockett,,, Could you tell me what depth of rifling your .54 with the 1 in 66 twist has? Also, do you know what depth the rifling is with the 1 in 38 twist? I think that not only proper lube matches to a person's rifle is important, and even the time of year and conditions you shoot in, but I also think rifling depth plays a big part... Fouling that is not taken out of the barrel with swabbing between shots has to go somewhere, and I believe it builds up along the bottom corner of the lands and grooves... A barrel with deep rifling, say .008 to .012 is more forgiving on consecutive shots...