Instead of swabbing between shots

[BEAVERMAN]

I agree with Joe, all I know is that using the BM literally allows me to shoot all day and never need to swab the bore, had been this way for at least 22 years or more, screw that wonder lube and pre lubed patches that you get maybe 8 to 10 shots before you can't load anymore without cleaning the barrel!

[Nessmuk]

I'm going to need a muzzleloader Recipe book for all these things I'm learning. Moose Milk, Beaver Milk. Cat Whiz Lube, et al.

[Ohio Joe]

I'm going to need a muzzleloader Recipe book for all these things I'm learning. Moose Milk, Beaver Milk. Cat Whiz Lube, et al.

Heck Nessmuk, at the end of the day all you really need is what works for you. For me, and for just plain ol' plinking & target work - spit works fine. For hunting - yes a lubed patch that gives acceptable results, and won't run the risk of causing a rust ring in the bore. 

[No Powder]

I was thinking like you Craig. I was planning to go to the range today anyway so, here's the results. These patches were dry and run down the barrel as I was seating a prb. Cast  .490 round balls using LV patch  lube and .015 patches. I then tried the same load using Stumpys moose juice and had the same results. A damp patch might work better. But the point is, I was surprised at the amount of crud coming out on the patches. [ Invalid Attachment ]

[Ohio Joe]

That's about what I would expect to see. Imagine now if with each "reload" in the chain of fire, this is what's being pushed down the bore... IMHO, there's probably a good arguement for controling the fouling in the bore from shot to shot.

So, with the above said; should one fire a "fouling" shot before the first "Record" shot, to keep the bore in the same condition / shot to shot - for all Record Shot Score's? Probably... I could see that it could lead to tighter groups.

Will I ever do it? Highly unlikely, but again - I do see the merrits of it. 

[No Powder]

Joe, I'm a firm believer in that fouling shot before any scoring shots are fired. The proof is in the pudding. This target is the target I shot today while performing that little experiment(50 yds.). My first shot out of a clean cold barrel, is in the 4 ring. The other group was the next 5 shots following the first shot. That's why I shoot that fouling shot.  [ Invalid Attachment ]

[Winter Hawk]

I think that with each shot you would build up a little more fouling which gets pushed down the bore.  Sure, what gets by the PRB is going to be partially removed with the patch on the jag but there is still an accumulation of crud as more shots are fired albeit not as much as if you didn't have the extra patch.

Funny, when shooting in Alaska, Wyoming and Oregon I didn't run a patch down the bore after every shot and could be shooting all day.  Since coming to Ohio I can't make more than 5 shots if I don't run a patch down after every shot. Joe has mentioned this phenomenon also so it can't be just me.... 

~Kees~

[Hank in WV]

Kees, I figure you and I have about the same weather and I have no problem shooting time after time without wiping. I'm not sure why there would be a difference, but there obviously is.

[Ohio Joe]

I think that with each shot you would build up a little more fouling which gets pushed down the bore.  Sure, what gets by the PRB is going to be partially removed with the patch on the jag but there is still an accumulation of crud as more shots are fired albeit not as much as if you didn't have the extra patch.

Funny, when shooting in Alaska, Wyoming and Oregon I didn't run a patch down the bore after every shot and could be shooting all day.  Since coming to Ohio I can't make more than 5 shots if I don't run a patch down after every shot. Joe has mentioned this phenomenon also so it can't be just me.... 

~Kees~

Very true, Kees. Ohio is just plain humid all the time... It was home to the great black swamp at one time. It's just plain humid there... I drip sweat just looking at a map of Ohio...

[Salty]

Howdy Tom,
Is the patch lubed or dry?

I will definitely try this.
 I need all the help I can get with accuracy.

[No Powder]

These patches were dry.  My cleaning patches are 2 1/2" square. And it was a little hard pushing down and bringing it back out. Probably a damp patch, and maybe 2" would make it a little easier. I'm sure you'll be extracting fouling, even using a smaller patch.