[firefighter12000]

Anybody done this.. I shot my muzzleloader for the first time and I always got my best shots after I had fired a shot or 2 without cleaning..

 

[sparkchaser]

Have you tried thicker patches or a slightly bigger ball? Like a .495 compared to a .490? You might be getting a tighter fit with a slightly dirty bore. I usually wipe after every shot when I'm target shooting so that most everything is consistent.

 

[mossie]

I don't think I could even load my .495 ball and .020 if I didn't swabb. That's how snug it is on a clean barrel. Shoots very well that way.

 

[Grey Bear Jr]

This is an old wives tale that has been around the muzzleloading community for as long as I can remember. Most competative shooters swab after every shot and they usually find the tightest ball and patch combination they can get down the barrel. I have one fifty that shoots great with a .15 patch and 490 ball, another that shoots a .20 patch and 495 ball nearly on top of each other and then a 1 in 66 that loves 295 aerotip powerbelts. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the perfect combination.

GBJ

 

[hunt/fish365]

Maybe it's becuase you just get settled in after the first shot?

 

[firefighter12000]

I have a T/C bone collector and I shoot 100 grain 777 powder and use Shockwave 250-grain sabots.. do you need to put patches behing sabot rounds?? Sorry if this seems to be a stupid question but it's my first year with a muzzleloader

 

[tundragriz]

No

 

[duckman76]

I always shoot mine in with a fouled barrel because I don't carry a cleaning kit in the woods.

 

[jimsdad]

My flinter definately shoots better with a fouled bore. What I try to do is shoot a round at the range a day or two before opening day of ML deer season. That way the bore is fouled somewhat when the accuracy means the most. I tried firing a blank before going into the woods and my hunting buddies almost tied me up and left me in the truck. They were right, it was NOT a good idea.

 

[410-er]

Tighter burns the powder better.

 

[MuzzleMike]

I always shoot mine in with a fouled barrel because I don't carry a cleaning kit in the woods.

All you need is some patches and your ram rod .

 

[MuzzleMike]

This is an old wives tale that has been around the muzzleloading community for as long as I can remember. Most competative shooters swab after every shot and they usually find the tightest ball and patch combination they can get down the barrel. I have one fifty that shoots great with a .15 patch and 490 ball, another that shoots a .20 patch and 495 ball nearly on top of each other and then a 1 in 66 that loves 295 aerotip powerbelts. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the perfect combination.

GBJ

I would second that . I think it is fun working up loads and trying defrant things. I love smoking up the range .

 

[Loggy]

Anybody done this.. I shot my muzzleloader for the first time and I always got my best shots after I had fired a shot or 2 without cleaning..

Flinters no & inlines yes.