Swabbing Barrel Between Loads

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November 15th, 2009, 03:59 PM
MikePal

Swabbing Barrel Between Loads

Beauty day out yesterday so a good one to hit the range, make some smoke and get everything ready for the season opener in 15 days.

My results (pic below) shows a good example for some of the new guys as to what a differance swabbing between shots can make. I have a marked range rod to indicate when the bullet is fully seated and even a small variation can make a big differance at 100yds.

Had excellent results at the 50 yd with the first three shoots all bulls so I set up the 100 yd.

I was using 90 gr of loose T7 and the 300gr QTs (Precision Bullets MB).

The scope on my ML is a Tasco Bantam shotgun scope. It has only a 2x fixed power so at 100 yds your covering most of the target area with the reticle. So precise aiming is difficult as your sighting on the red dot behind the centre of the reticle pattern.

Shot 1: did not swab barrel before I loaded it after taking x3 shots at 50 yds.
the ram rod seated about 1/4 " above the mark.

Shot 2: same, did not swab and the sabot it didn't seat very well. You could feel the crud ring as I pushed past it

Shot 3: swabbed the barrel with a 'Rusty Duck' patch, gave it a good clean and the sabot seated to the mark on the ram rod.

Shot 4: did NOT swab after the 3rd shot.

Shot 5: swabbed between shots.
Shot 6: swabbed between shots.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...al06/ml100.jpg
November 15th, 2009, 04:16 PM
jim

Hey Mike, nice shooting. Needless to say, you'ld have 6 dead deer!
November 16th, 2009, 06:31 AM
MikePal

Thanks Jim, my ML is a Traditions Pursuit Pro, with the 28” fluted barrel, that I bought about 8 yrs ago for $225. It’s always shot really well. Even with just the fibre sights, it can shot that accurate at 100yds. Great ML for the price and it’s has been notched every year but the last one (never saw a deer all week).

When I’m target shooting with it in the off season I fit on my 3x-9x Bushnell and it provides a better sight picture for the target to bring the grouping in tighter, 1” groupings are achievable. But that is way to much scope on the ML for hunting so I set it up with an 8” ‘stubby’ shotgun scope.

As you said, all kill shots, so I'll hunt with that set-up.
November 17th, 2009, 05:25 PM
brent

Nice research info. A bit of an eye opener.

I shot the same gun for a couple years and was very happy with it. Sold it to one of the guys on the site here.

Shootin a TC Triumph this year.
November 18th, 2009, 08:01 AM
Frank the Tank

You could: re-mount your existing scope and ensure the rings and everything is tight, sight in for 2 inches high at 50 yards and you should be on at 200 although you'll have to tinker with matching your bullet weight to powder. It's a lot easier to zero in on the bulls-eye and shoot during ranging and sighting in! or upgrade your scope,

good luck shooting!
November 19th, 2009, 09:35 AM
Kilo Charlie

I use a traditional .54 cal sidelock long rifle and I always swab between shots. Mind you, it's a bit more necessary with the old-timers due to the deep rifling grooves. I just lightly moisten a flannel patch with saliva and run it in and out on a jag. I can get away with a few shots if I use Pyrodex, but black powder really lives a lot of corruption behind.
November 19th, 2009, 10:55 AM
6506

Hey All,

I agree with Kilo Charlie completely. I used to not swab between shots but then when I was talking with Cecil Epp of Precision Bullet, he suggested that I lightly lick a clean flannel patch, push the patch, wet side out down the barrel and then out. Switch the patch to dry side out and then run down once and out and the group sizes were immediately noticeable. I do this both with my 50 cal Omega and .54 cal Hawken.

OBTW, I took a 4x2 2 year old on Nov 11 with the .54. It's fast becoming my favourite deer gun...;)

Cheers

6506
November 19th, 2009, 09:23 PM
hunterforever

I'm going to try the swab but maybe not licking it...
November 20th, 2009, 02:03 PM
theDuck

In competition on the range with roundball guns we swab between each shot. Makes a difference. These are sidelock, underhammer and flintlocks. When hunting with a roundball gun I don't swab between shots. I'm just not that accurate in the bush.:)
November 20th, 2009, 04:22 PM
huntaway

I always swab between shots.

HA
November 20th, 2009, 04:34 PM
jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntaway

I always swab between shots.

HA

I always change the ice between drinks.
November 20th, 2009, 11:36 PM
huntaway

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim

I always change the ice between drinks.

I just add more ice.:silly: and......

HA
November 6th, 2015, 06:46 AM
bellerivercrossbowhunter

I don't need to swab between shots because I shoot smokeless powder in my Savage 10ML ii......... :)
November 6th, 2015, 04:30 PM
Road

You might want to. Then you will know if all your power is burning. I swab between shoot to try to keep the barrel the same for every shot.
November 6th, 2015, 09:18 PM
bellerivercrossbowhunter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road

You might want to. Then you will know if all your power is burning. I swab between shoot to try to keep the barrel the same for every shot.

True I am not sure about the powder burn however when your gun groups like this I think I am ok not swabbing between shots... :)

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps5rup2331.jpg
November 6th, 2015, 09:34 PM
standup

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikePal

Beauty day out yesterday so a good one to hit the range, make some smoke and get everything ready for the season opener in 15 days.

My results (pic below) shows a good example for some of the new guys as to what a differance swabbing between shots can make. I have a marked range rod to indicate when the bullet is fully seated and even a small variation can make a big differance at 100yds.

Had excellent results at the 50 yd with the first three shoots all bulls so I set up the 100 yd.

I was using 90 gr of loose T7 and the 300gr QTs (Precision Bullets MB).

The scope on my ML is a Tasco Bantam shotgun scope. It has only a 2x fixed power so at 100 yds your covering most of the target area with the reticle. So precise aiming is difficult as your sighting on the red dot behind the centre of the reticle pattern.

Shot 1: did not swab barrel before I loaded it after taking x3 shots at 50 yds.
the ram rod seated about 1/4 " above the mark.

Shot 2: same, did not swab and the sabot it didn't seat very well. You could feel the crud ring as I pushed past it

Shot 3: swabbed the barrel with a 'Rusty Duck' patch, gave it a good clean and the sabot seated to the mark on the ram rod.

Shot 4: did NOT swab after the 3rd shot.

Shot 5: swabbed between shots.
Shot 6: swabbed between shots.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...al06/ml100.jpg

Well I have quite a different approach. I pull the breech plug, solvent and scrub the bore till the patches gleam white. I even then give it an alcohol swab to remove any residue. Clean ,dry and grease plug and put back in. Fire a primer. That gun is now as it is going to be when I pull er off the rack to hunt. This is a painful process for sight in, but. If You called me tonight and said hey got a great spot, lets go tomorrow. I'd go get er off the rack, load w/o primer and I know where that first and only shot is going exactly. Not sorta, but exactly. Mike I respect You as a board member but I'd have to have em a whole lot tighter
November 6th, 2015, 09:36 PM
standup

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter

True I am not sure about the powder burn however when your gun groups like this I think I am ok not swabbing between shots... :)

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps5rup2331.jpg

Aren't You smokeless?
November 6th, 2015, 09:38 PM
standup

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter

I don't need to swab between shots because I shoot smokeless powder in my Savage 10ML ii......... :)

OK that answers that. Oh wait till you got not powder residue build up, but polymer.
November 7th, 2015, 05:09 AM
MikePal

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikePal

Tasco Bantam shotgun scope. It has only a 2x fixed power so at 100 yds your covering most of the target area with the reticle. So precise aiming is difficult as your sighting on the red dot behind the centre of the reticle pattern.

Quote:

Originally Posted by standup

Mike I respect You as a board member but I'd have to have em a whole lot tighter

Holy Crap this is an old zombie thread...goes back to 2009 :)

Standup..as I stated in the original post, back then I was using a scope with a reticle that blocked out the entire center area of the target panel at 100 yds, so you basically were shooting blind, centre of mass shots.

Since then I have changed the scope and am now hitting much better...this is with a forestock rest.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...psaa5a0426.jpg
November 7th, 2015, 07:52 AM
standup

TOLERABLE :ashamed:
November 7th, 2015, 09:48 AM
Fenelon

Mike....hope that's not the Irish neighbour's barn door!!