what do you use when swabbing between shots?

[ltdann]

I think it's a function of the powder and humidity. I use Jojoba oil as patch lube since it's about the slickest thing after whale oil (which is illegal). If I use snythetic powder I can go all day without swabbing.

If I use Shutzen powder, all bets are off...probably swab with an alchohol patch every second shot. I'm going to burn up my current stock of Shutzen and try swiss and see if it's better.

 

[TarponStalker]

Folks, it's not my intention to sound abrasive, but trying to get a point across.

The snake oil is real, and more than likely it's already sitting on your kitchen sink

I certainly don’t mind trying anything. I have several bottles of this secret elixir in the kitchen. I will give it a try. Thanks.
Yes. I’ll call when I visit my cousin in Summerville. I’m always looking for a reason to visit Charleston.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

After all these years, your doing it wrong. Come to the Charleston, SC area for a free shoot and tutorial. Shoot me a PM

Sounds like we almost need a twelve step program, to get out of this swabbing nightmare! Shooters sitting around in a circle etc...

I like your no-none sense approach to reality…

 

[olskool]

Folks, it's not my intention to sound abrasive, but trying to get a point across.

The snake oil is real, and more than likely it's already sitting on your kitchen sink

mulebrains, i know a man that told me the same thing! but i was determined to stick with the traditional way! i wanted to do it like Danial Boone did! bear grease! beeswax and olive oil! i didn't like to swab, so i would just beat the ball down a crusty fouled bore after a few shots! i was really hardheaded! but one day i invited this man to my house for some shooting on my modest range. after 15 shots or so i was pounding that ball in, his was sliding down the bore like eel snot on a black ice road! i wonder what kind of magic bear grease he was using? i asked what the snake oil in the bottle he was spraying his patches with? and where could i find this rare wonder? he said, go to the sink, swipe my wife's dish soap, mix with water, and spray! i did, and the rest is history! maybe you ran into the same man, or maybe an old time grey headed shooter told you about it as he was rummaging through your shooting box telling you to chunk all the other wonder lubes you were trying. who knows,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Forgot to add T/C 1000+ No.13 cleaner is what my patches are soaked in.
One shot cleans the last shot out. What a concept.

 

[shaman]

I normally spit patch between shots. I run it down once and back up and then reverse the patch and go down again.

 

[TarponStalker]

Folks, it's not my intention to sound abrasive, but trying to get a point across.

The snake oil is real, and more than likely it's already sitting on your kitchen sink

Well I tried it today. Mixed 1:3 Dawn to water. I soaked a strip of cotton drill then squeezed out the excess. I went to the place I shoot and got set up with great expectations.
Shot one was good. Unfortunately I barely got the second ball seated due to the fouling but I was determined to carry on. The third ball had to be hammered down with my fiberglass range rod. So disappointing. It may have worked better if I’d left the patch soaking wet but I use my guns to hunt so I won’t leave a soaking patch on the powder while waiting.
I’ll try again another day but thanks again for the advice.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I am using Hoppes BP solvent as a patch lube lately and trying to get away from swabbing so much between shots. Having good luck so far and can get a good 8-10 shots before I have to run a patch down the barrel. I like to load from the pouch and trying to stay minimalist with my loading/shooting routine.

 

[colimr]

sounds like the key to olsKools story was to spray the patch not soak it

 

[Mulebrain]

Get the patches so wet, that when you short start the ball lube sprays out of the patch.

Patches can be dripping folks, and when you short start it much of the lube gets squeezed out.

 

[Mulebrain]

Well I tried it today. Mixed 1:3 Dawn to water. I soaked a strip of cotton drill then squeezed out the excess. I went to the place I shoot and got set up with great expectations.
Shot one was good. Unfortunately I barely got the second ball seated due to the fouling but I was determined to carry on. The third ball had to be hammered down with my fiberglass range rod. So disappointing. It may have worked better if I’d left the patch soaking wet but I use my guns to hunt so I won’t leave a soaking patch on the powder while waiting.
I’ll try again another day but thanks again for the advice.

Don't squeeze out the excess, you want a dripping patch. Make sure to mix up the mixture well

 

[Mulebrain]

I am using Hoppes BP solvent as a patch lube lately and trying to get away from swabbing so much between shots. Having good luck so far and can get a good 8-10 shots before I have to run a patch down the barrel. I like to load from the pouch and trying to stay minimalist with my loading/shooting routine.

I used to use that till I learned. Dump that lube and try mine, you won't go back!

 

[sparrish321]

I used to use that till I learned. Dump that lube and try mine, you won't go back!

What is the ratio between dish soap and water?

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

I use beeswax and lard, 50/50, for a patch lube, and Hoppes BP for cleaning. I am somewhat liberal with the use of both; any excess gets squoze out at the muzzle.
If I am adjusting sights, I will use the BP on a flannel patch between shot groups. I want to at least attempt to have conditions fairly equal between the groups.

 

[olskool]

Forgot to add T/C 1000+ No.13 cleaner is what my patches are soaked in.
One shot cleans the last shot out. What a concept.

What is the ratio between dish soap and water?

mulebrain uses, one part dawn soap, and three parts water. i just do about 50/50, and that is slick as eel snot! you want to wet the patch good and load. you will never think about swabbing again. what it basically dose is clean the barrel some with each loading. and every loading after that is like the first. i have heard some fellers try to make the argument that they want to be all traditional, like the boys of old did, and that is a wonderful thing, but they do it just like the old boys in the 1700s did, while they are ridding their custom flintlock in their 50,000-dollar truck to a million-dollar shooting range! i am sure if Jim Bridger had dawn dish soap he would have used it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Terry Lightle]

I do not have to swab,lube takes care of it for me.Not a contest shooter,just practice and hunt.54 caliber flintlock

 

[ryoung14]

I assume everyone here is using real black powder because 'flintlock'. But will these swabbing techniques work with Pyrodex and other subs in cap guns?

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I shoot Triple 7 in my caplock and can shoot 15 or 20 times before swabbing.

 

[smoothshooter]

Just wondering about what fluid you use to swab between shots.
How damp or wet are your swabbing patches?

Spit, usually. But I rarely clean between shots anyway.

 

[Redlemur60]

You're a better man than I am Gunga Din....I can no longer stomach the odor.....

So truth be told i also use it as an acid neutralizer(in combination with
Other stuff for greying browning ect. So it feally is versatile!