Trail cleaning frequency?

[Carl Fowler III]

When going on a trail shoot what is the frequency of running a cleaning patch to maintain accuracy and easy loading?

 

[Billnpatti]

When going on a trail shoot what is the frequency of running a cleaning patch to maintain accuracy and easy loading?

I think that will depend on the gun. I have found that with the right patch and lube combination in a .45 caliber or larger, I only need to swab my bore about every 5th shot, or so. I go by feel when loading. I have found that the smaller bores such as a .32 or .36 will require more frequent swabbing, often after every shot. You just have to go by feel when you are loading a patched ball. If it feels like the fouling is building up and you are having a bit of difficulty seating the ball, it is time to swab.

 

[bender20]

I just make it a habit to wipe after every shot. One wet patch two dry. Helps keep things consistent.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I just make it a habit to wipe after every shot. One wet patch two dry. Helps keep things consistent.

x2 :thumbsup:

 

[SacramentoJohnson]

Hi,
I've been to a couple of shoots out here in the dry west; they run 20 rounds on a course and take a couple hours to complete. (The last one did not give any cleaning time, as there were only 5 or 6 of us.)
I originally tried the clean between shots routine but found it to be a pain, so went looking for a different solution. Fortunately, I found using slightly oversized lightly lubed felt wads between powder and PRB keeps the barrel clean, loading easy and accuracy high and consistent in my 36 inch barrel, 50 caliber percussion rifle.

 

[okawbow]

I never wipe on trail shoots. All my rifles have deep groove rifling and I use a .018” -.026” denim patch, depending on the rifle, with Balistol and water mix for lube. I don’t get the patch soaking wet, but damp all the way through. The fit is tight, and needs a ball starter, but the last one loads the same as the first one. I use Grafs powder mostly for woods walks.

I bring a loading rod along where allowed, but my ram rods are hand split hickory and very tough. I win my share of the woods walks, so accuracy is good with this loading system.

 

[Dane]

If you have a proper load, and lube, you should be able to shoot all day without a wiping.
The only time I use that wipe, is if I have to wait, like posting targets, etc.

 

[azmntman]

Never been to a woods walk. When HUNTING large gameI have very rarely needed a follow up but as a rule when I shoot an elk/deer I am reloading immediatley in case a mercy shot is n order. so no wiping. Small game I use shot gun (no wipe) or my .32 which I am still shooting with Hoppes # 9 and no wiping needed for all day shooting (damp patch swipes the crud on top the powder each time).

I need to do a woods walk, sounds like fun. Alas....I have zero BP buddies left after my last one allowed his wife to get a 6 figure job and move to KS No clubs up here I am aware of either. Williams has a yearly BP "event" (turkey shoot) and they call it Rendezvous Days. Traffic and crowds means I stay home, I'm no Hermit but dont like crowds like that, if I put up with it again it will be in D-Land with grandkids (of which I currently have as many as I do BP buddies :shake: )

 

[Grenadier1758]

On trail walks, especially the primitive, flintlock only, kind, I use a ball of tow tied to a string (tow and toggle). I find I need to wipe my long land pattern musket (okay Bess) after a couple of shots. The tow does a good job of pulling out the fouling and one ball of tow can last for about 20 shots.

You won't have a lot of time to wipe the bore but it can be done often enough to keep shooting. You will have to practice to determine how often you must wipe the bore.

 

[tenngun]

I do like to swab between shots. A wad of tow or some squares of flannel are handy in my bag. It might cost a few min but I think it a good idea.

 

[smo]

I always swab the bore after each shot.

I have a couple ways of doing it depending on the situation .

At home I use a cleaning liquid on a patch.
I run it down the bore using both sides and discard.

Then I run two dry patches down the bore using both sides of them.

Then reload.

On a woodswalk or hunting I use spit and pillow ticking.

Same sequence as above , except only one patch used to dry the bore.

Tip: Carry a jug of water , chewing on that pillow tickin’ all day a man can get a bit dry.

 

[Tom Compton]

Ditto Okawbow’s post except Goex or Schutzen and I don’t use Ballistol just wet w saliva.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I swab between every shot whether on range or trail. Lowers risk of a stuck ball and no heavy duty rod to fix things. Last time I did a timed trail walk/run I used a smaller ball than usual and very thin patch cloth to lessen the risk of a problem from fouling. BTW, the biggest risk for injury or putting yer rifle out of commission is when trying to run up a muddy hill wearing smooth, soft soled moccasins. DAMHIK. :redface:

 

[biliff]

Spit patch. No cleaning. Won a few rifle trail walks/squirrel trails and pistol trails with 100 + shooters so I must be doing something right.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

If you have a proper load, and lube, you should be able to shoot all day without a wiping.

:haha: That opinion might change if you were out East here with me and in 100% humidity on a summer day. :wink: I have to wipe after every third shot, period, and usually every other shot, whether I use spit, beeswax and olive oil, plain olive oil, or Dutch's method.

On a trail walk competition shoot, I'll use a lanyard with a spit damp patch. I'd wipe after each shot, because...., that particular day, the humidity might be higher than usual so my barrel is fouling faster, OR I might not quite get all of the crud out of the barrel each time I swipe, etc..., so why run the risk of a miscalculation and getting a ball stuck OR another mishap, when all that can be avoided, and I can shoot any number of targets without worry, by wiping after each shot?

Murphy's Law and I are very old travelling companions. :grin:

LD

 

[bender20]

:thumbsup: couldn't agree more. Just make it part of your loading process and it no big deal.

 

[Carl Fowler III]

Ended up shooting at the target range instead of trail course as the trail was too muddy! Cleaned after every shot, but this was time consuming and tedious! Actually had some beautiful weather here in PA on Monday (75° sunny) so decided to go back to using Hoppe's#9 black powder lubricant and see just how many shots I could get off without cleaning! After 17 shots of 70 grains of Goax with a .020 patch it loaded on the last shot as easily as the first! Problem solved!

 

[azmntman]

Its good stuff, I used it for about 40 years before I got the dutch system (and still have several bottles :grin: )

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Well perhaps I shall try that myself! :wink:

LD

 

[Dr5x]

I have a bad habit of reviewing what I have written a a day or so later looking form mental glitches on my part. This tends to keep me honest .
Yesterday I said that MAP, (Murphy's Oil Soap, A;cool and Hydrogen peroxide was too much water for me.
It now occurs to me that my Shot of Ballistol or Watersoluble oil (Lennox Oil_ and 20shots of water with a extra shot of Pine Sol was probably just as wet as MAP.

I think the secret of both is to use them sparingly, no excess fluid torun into the breech.
How MAP keeps residue from building up shot after shot ,(if it does) is a mystery to me.

BUT IF IT WORKS”¦.


DUTCH SCHOULTZ