Wiping between shots

[Baxter]

I will be following Dutch's recommendations for wiping between shots. I will be using a range-rod, rigid handle and a .54 jag. Should I use my ball patches for wiping or should I use the cotton bore-cleaning patches I use for my CF rifles? Damp, I understand, followed by a dry patch but what kind of patch? TIA, baxter

 

[cynthialee]

I save my shooting patches for shooting and use a mop to swab between shots.

 

[Baxter]

I save my mops for barrel cleaning. I have many hundreds of those square 3x3 bore-cleaning patches but I agree with not using ball patches unless there is a distinct advantage in using them over the bore-cleaning patches. I've committed to using Dutch's methods as closely as I am able - spent $19 for his work so I might as well try it. baxter

 

[buford87]

I use cut patches made of flannel for swabbing between shots and for cleaning afterwards. Buy the flannel in bulk at a material shop and cut to proper size for your jag to fit your barrel..................watch yer top knot..........

 

[M. De Land]

Real serious competitors wipe between shots but I personally think it is a waste of time with the right patch lube.
As long as the patch integrity and loading rod pressure remain consistent you will not be able to hold for any difference in accuracy to 100 yards provided by wiping.
Keep an eye mainly on those two things and if ignition is failing than you have other issues that need attention that the wiping is really just a band aid for. MD

 

[M. De Land]

I forgot to mentions unless using Teflon patching. I haven't tested this without wiping but as no wet lube is use I'm quite certain the wipe between shot protocol is necessary.
I still have some and shot up several square feet of the stuff but saw no great improvement in my scores with it's use. Top shooters use it so their must be some benefit that I'm not good enough to take advantage of. Mike D.

 

[Baxter]

I will be using Dutch's recommended treated patches for shooting; starting at 1:7 Ballistol:water. I made up the solution, soaked and air-dried 60 patches for shooting.

 

[Rifleman1776]

My practice is to swab between every shot for consistency and ease of loading. I use cotton flannel that I cut myself. It is spit dampened and the patch is turned over for a second swab.
I have been a competitior for almost 45 years. How "serious" is a matter of interpretation.
BTW, I also swab between shots when hunting. Never have I had an opportunity for a quick follow up so the little time it takes is not an issue.

 

[M. De Land]

Serious competitors meaning folks who attend the nationals once or twice a year and win! MD

 

[Baxter]

Well, I guess that takes my worries away since I am not a serious, national competitor. Haven't even fired once yet with the rifle, just trying to get things in order just in case the 1-2' of snow and continuing snow fall gives me an opportunity sometime this year. I do appreciate the responses. baxter

 

[M. De Land]

I've not tried the solution or dry patching in general except for Teflon cloth but it certainly would surprise me that it would work as well as windshield wash soaked patches when it's hot and dry. So far I haven't found anything better than soap and water which is basically what windshield wash is and a bit of alcohol thrown in to keep it from freezing in cold weather.
Folks probably think the water in the patch will corrupt the top of the powder column but in reality what happens is it pushes a layer of fouling down ahead of the patched ball and creates a fouling wad layer between good powder and the damp patch.
In hot and dry weather,and not in a hurry, one can often get off five to ten shots without swabbing, if starting from a clean barrel,before the seating pressure changes.
Actually in my patten breech gun I have found swabbing to cause ignition trouble if you don't stay after it with a pipe cleaner and firing several caps to dry thing out. My underhammer is much more reliable in this department and has become my go to offhand gun. MD

 

[nchawkeye]

You didn't ask if we did or didn't but since it started...I do wipe when sighting in or serious target shooting...Hunting is when needed...

I cut my own patches from thick flannel but I also use Wipes to wipe between shots...They are usually the right "dampness" and I just tear off, fold double up and run down the barrel with my jag...Usually using 2-3 depending on crud left and one dry flannel...

If you don't like the Wipes idea, try using a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol, spray flannel and go to it...

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

I use cut patches made of flannel for swabbing between shots and for cleaning afterwards. Buy the flannel in bulk at a material shop and cut to proper size for your jag to fit your barrel..................watch yer top knot..........

Wen I was swabbing this is what I did, still buy the cotton flannel in bulk for my cleaning patches.

 

[Matt85]

swabing between shots seems to help some guns more then others.

my pedersoli long rifle will not function if you swab the barrel. ive found using a lubed wad in edition to patching allows me to shoot without swabing this gun.

now my Jaeger rifle seems work shoot great whether i swab or not. i think it has something to do with the depth and type of rifling. round bottom rifling seems to handling fouling better.

-matt

 

[Spikebuck]

Haven't even fired once yet with the rifle, just trying to get things in order just in case the 1-2' of snow and continuing snow fall gives me an opportunity sometime this year.

If you're waiting for no snow in Northern MN you might never shoot that gun!!! :grin: We can't even get rid of it down in the "deep south" of MN this year!

 

[majg1234]

I don't really swab,but I use a lubed wool felt wad over powder on my rifle loads.It seems to swab the bore and make for consistant loading and good accuracy. Standard deviation on velocities between shots are less too.YMMV however.

 

[buzz]

I never do if the fowling get up then i just run a bore brush but that seems be on rainy days
Mustbe linked to humity

 

[Dphar]

I will be following Dutch's recommendations for wiping between shots. I will be using a range-rod, rigid handle and a .54 jag. Should I use my ball patches for wiping or should I use the cotton bore-cleaning patches I use for my CF rifles? Damp, I understand, followed by a dry patch but what kind of patch? TIA, baxter

I like heavy white diaper flannel. Some modern cleaning patches seem to be meant for solvents rather than water and do not absorb it well.

Dan

 

[pargent]

I wipe my hands between shots ,only wipe the bore when I feel it starting to get harder to load on my rifle, smoothies I wipe the bore at the end of the day when cleaning the guns in camp.Long range well that depends on a lot of things .

 

[William O.]

Cotton flannel is great for making into cleaning patches and always dampen it with something, even if it's only spit. A dry cleaning patch can get stuck tight, really a PITA to get out.