Weaker first shot

[garypl]

I normally put @10-15 gr of powder down the barrel before my first shot, prime the pan and shoot out the powder charge. If it goes BANG I know the flash channel is clear. Then proceed to load and shoot as normal.

I only do this on the target range - haven't been hunting with a ML for a long time, but don't think I would do it in that case.

 

[2 shots]

garand or johnson proto type??

 

[French Colonial]

My theory is that the fouling from the first shot impedes the PRB enough that there is higher pressure developed and the higher pressure increases the velocity.

The first shot basically slides out of the barrel without as much resistance, hence lower velocity.

 

[hanshi]

Your gun is a one-of-a- kind if ever there was one. Yes it certainly does look like something archaic. That lock is a marvel in itself, hard to wrap my mind around how it works.

 

[Simon 97]

That makes sense Monsieur French Colonial.
As for hanshi, I made a video of the lock for you.

 

[nhmoose]

Stop shooting across a chron every shot and your problem will go away.

Chronos good to find the speed of your load as average but GROUPS tell what is working.

 

[popgun54tc]

My theory is that the fouling from the first shot impedes the PRB enough that there is higher pressure developed and the higher pressure increases the velocity.

The first shot basically slides out of the barrel without as much resistance, hence lower velocity.

have to agree with French Colonial, by fouling the barrel after the first shot youll have more pressure or compression on the load which will change your impact down range.

 

[Dreamhawk]

Hi everyone
Some time ago i've built myself a smoothbore muzzleloader. I've never shot or even seen another one so my experience is VERY limited.
And I noticed that the first shot out of a clean barrel is always slower then the second, third and so on. I tried wiping the barrel clean of leftover grease before shooting but the first shot is weaker nonetheless.
Do you know this phenomenon?
Is that normal?
And why could it be?
Greetings
Simon

Something is crappin on your powder definitely. I've never used alcohol, but I run a couple dry patches down the bore, and in my cap locks , fire a couple caps to make sure all is clear. In my flinters, I run a couple dry patches down, then trickle about 10 grains of FFFFg into the bore, prime and fire it, doin that a couple times. Then I run another couple dry patches down.
Never had a misfire or weak fire doin that.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Something is crappin on your powder definitely. I've never used alcohol, but I run a couple dry patches down the bore, and in my cap locks , fire a couple caps to make sure all is clear. In my flinters, I run a couple dry patches down, then trickle about 10 grains of FFFFg into the bore, prime and fire it, doin that a couple times. Then I run another couple dry patches down.
Never had a misfire or weak fire doin that.

If I did that before a mornings hunt the house will be full of smoke. Set the smoke alarms off and then the Mrs would come steaming down the stairs not to pleased!

 

[BadDaditood]

Have you tried storing it muzzle down?
That way any oils will migrate away from the breech/touchhole.

 

[Simon 97]

Have you tried storing it muzzle down?
That way any oils will migrate away from the breech/touchhole.

I guess I'll try that too and use oil instead of grease.