Swabbing Barrel Between Loads

[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.

[jim]

Hey Mike, nice shooting. Needless to say, you'ld have 6 dead deer!

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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

[hunterforever]

I'm going to try the swab but maybe not licking it...

[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.

[huntaway]

I always swab between shots.

HA