The dreaded clean bore shot

[rdlowe]

One thing I have yet to noodle out is how to deal with the clean bore shot. I'm hoping for some kind of solution or sage advice that doesn't involve me having to foul the bore (or leave it fouled) before I can trust where my first shot is gonna go. I've read that this can be overcome by adjusting my load?

This target was fired from a Pedersoli .50 Blue Ridge at 30 yards. Any advice appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

[Carbon 6]

Shoot a group of clean shots once and compare. You are looking at the clean shot as the anomaly, when in fact the dirty shots might be the problem.
When hunting, it's the first shot that counts. so I want every shot to be like the first, not the other way round.

If your clean shot groups don't pan out then I would try a different patch/lube combo as it may not be tight enough.

 

[Britsmoothy]

How many shots has the barrel fired?

 

[rdlowe]

Shoot a group of clean shots once and compare. You are looking at the clean shot as the anomaly, when in fact the dirty shots might be the problem.

Very good point! That's something to think about.

How many shots has the barrel fired?

I picked up the gun second hand so I don't know. The front sight had been filed when I got it but I suspect it was very gently used and not fired much. Do you think the barrel has maybe not been "broken in" yet?

 

[Britsmoothy]

It's very possible. Can you see holes in the first shot patch, even tiny ones when held up to the light?
Another old trick is to add a fire wall. It may only need to be the first shot, to give that first patch some help. A tiny amount of corn flour or ram a lubed patch down first.
See where that first shot goes.

 

[BrownBear]

I sight in for the first shot from a clean bore. Clean between each shot. I'm a hunter and not a range shooter. I truly don't give a flying peanut butter sandwich what happens on subsequent shots. It's the first one that counts.

 

[rdlowe]

Interesting! So I'd pour powder, then a lubed patch on top, then seat my prb as usual but only for the first shot? I'll give that a try next range session. Maybe I could experiment with wads as well. I'll also have a closer look at my shot patches to see if there's any cutting going on.

 

[towgunner11h]

I think swabbing between shots is the solution- keep the bore clean and your cold shot will be on par.

 

[rdlowe]

I think swabbing between shots is the solution- keep the bore clean and your cold shot will be on par.

I should have mentioned I run a spit patch down the bore between every shot.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Interesting! So I'd pour powder, then a lubed patch on top, then seat my prb as usual but only for the first shot? I'll give that a try next range session. Maybe I could experiment with wads as well. I'll also have a closer look at my shot patches to see if there's any cutting going on.

Give it a try.
It maybe that if it works, eventually you may not need to do it at all.

 

[Carbon 6]

Interesting! So I'd pour powder, then a lubed patch on top, then seat my prb as usual but only for the first shot? .

I don't think that's what he meant. I think he was referring to a lubed felt wad.

Do you clean your barrel and remove any protectant that was in there before loading your first shot?

 

[Rifleman1776]

Not really sure what you are asking. If you want advice on how to load and shoot with predictable results from a perfectly clean barrel, this is how I did it in my hunting days. I would take the rifle (perc or flint) from storage, swab bore with a dry flannel patch to remove most of the protectant oil, then I would squirt carburetor cleaner through the nipple or touch hole, swab the bore again to remove excess cleaner, then wait a few minutes. Once I was sure the bore was clean and dry I would load normally. Then (now the brick bats are sure to fly) over the ball I would swab with a flannel patch dampened with WD-40 as a protectant. First shot was always right on.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I don't think that's what he meant. I think he was referring to a lubed felt wad.

Do you clean your barrel and remove any protectant that was in there before loading your first shot?

I never mentioned a wad.
I said ram a patch first, then the patched ball.

 

[Okie Hog]

I sight in for the first shot from a clean bore

Works for me too.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Some things I don't get.
This feller wants his rifle to shoot to point of aim from shot one. Why the hell not! Others do!
It never ceases to amaze me how folk will live with an unacceptable circumstance before they will ever attempt to come up with a reasonable diagnosis via a simple system of elimination.
I have suggested a simple test to just see if the barrel is not run in.

I'm just waiting for someone to suggest sprinkling the blood of a chicken over the gun!

 

[Carbon 6]

Not really sure what you are asking. If you want advice on how to load and shoot with predictable results from a perfectly clean barrel, this is how I did it in my hunting days. I would take the rifle (perc or flint) from storage, swab bore with a dry flannel patch to remove most of the protectant oil, then I would squirt carburetor cleaner through the nipple or touch hole, swab the bore again to remove excess cleaner, then wait a few minutes. Once I was sure the bore was clean and dry I would load normally. Then (now the brick bats are sure to fly) over the ball I would swab with a flannel patch dampened with WD-40 as a protectant. First shot was always right on.

I use basically the same process just different chemicals.

 

[Carbon 6]

I never mentioned a wad.
I said ram a patch first, then the patched ball.

Thanks for clarifying Brit, I thought you were talking about using an OP wad. My computer was acting up at the time I posted.

 

[rdlowe]

Do you clean your barrel and remove any protectant that was in there before loading your first shot?

Yes sir I do!

Not really sure what you are asking.

What I want to achieve is for my first shot of the day (from a clean bore) to hit the same poi the rest of my shots do without having to foul the bore first. Some say this is possible and others say it isn't. I'm looking for a "system" or ideas that work for others so I can try them myself. ​

I'm just waiting for someone to suggest sprinkling the blood of a chicken over the gun!

I regard the arts as highly as I do science

 

[Britsmoothy]

I regard the arts as highly as I do science

Just jerk the rifle the right amount on the first shot and call it good

 

[Carbon 6]

I regard the arts as highly as I do science

I have high regard for the arts and sciences too. Without them muzzleloading never would have came into existence. We owe both our gratitude.