Fouling Shot

[WoolyRunner]

Do you guys fire a fouling cap before your hunt? If so..why?.. i dont personally. I like a clean gun. Just want your opinions. Thanks

[Timberstalker]

Some people say it will clear any obstructions in the nipple. I've done it both ways and never had a problem with a shot going off.

[lokidog]

Snap a cap or fire a full charge with bullet?

I used to snap a cap but now just blow down the barrel so I can hear air flow. I'm shooting 777 and my second and third shot seem to go where the first does so no fouled bore for me either.

[Chukarhead]

I've found that my first shot is always a flyer.  Because of that, I've generally fouled with a 50gr load, then spit- and dry-swabbed several patches, and loaded for hunting.  I've read that the flyer might be a result of barrel lube, and that a good Windex wipe would take care of it, but I haven't experimented.  Stainless barrel and T-7 hasn't resulted in corrosion issues, so I stick with what works. 

[Utah]

 

My first shot in a clean barrel is 6" high 6"right.   2nd and beyond money.  Thank god for 777

[lee]

Hi,

I store the nipples in an empty primer cap can soaked with oil. I also store the rifle with it's bore lightly coated in oil.

When ready to hunt I wipe dry the bore and nipple. I will then install the nipple and pop 3 caps thru it. I then load the rifle and sometimes fire a fouling shot. I then reload the rifle, remove the nipple and sprinkle powder in the hole the nipple screws into, then replace the nipple and cap it.

Call me anal but I don't experience hang fires.

Lee

[Utah]

Thats fine and dandy as long as your first shot hits the same POI as 2,3,4,5th shots. Don't recall this thread being about hang or miss fires..

[Thehowler]

It takes many, many good hot soapy cleanings to get all the manufacturers oil out of these barrels. Once I have accomplished this task, my first shot flyer issues disappeared. this has been with 3 different guns. This is with using triple 7 power.

[Utah]

I cleaned and shot out the manufactures oil's 15 yrs ago prolly 500shots at least.   Most rifles especially center fire shoot better with fouled barrels.  Thank god for 777.  Before the likes of 777 it was a pain in the azzzzzz.  I'd have to load and shoot a fouler on the way to the hunt.  Then clean it at the end of the day.  All my center fire rifles and my 3 front stuffers shoot better with a fouled barrel.   Like I said my favorite front stuffer shoots 6" high and 6" right unless I foul the barrel.  I learned to never use bore butter or bore paste many years ago.  Light coat of oil for the off season.

[WoolyRunner]

I noticed that when I didnt do a fouling cap my load, loaded wayyyy easy 

[WAcoyotehunter]

i fire two or three caps to foul the barrel and make sure the nipple is clean

[lokidog]

How much "fouling" can a cap do?  I don't get this idea of caps causing fouling.  Fouling comes from powder residue sticking to the inside of the barrel doesn't it?  It seems you would have to fire a projectile similar to your hunting bullet to get "fouling" consistent enough to create an environment where subsequent shots leave a similarly fouled barrel.

IMO, find a powder that does not require you to walk around with a fouled barrel while hunting.   

[Thehowler]

No, get all that oil out of the barrel, like I said above. Than don't reintroduce OIL. Jeez.
Tripple-7, powder I am referring to. Does not like oil of any kind, never

[Utah]

How much "fouling" can a cap do?  I don't get this idea of caps causing fouling.  Fouling comes from powder residue sticking to the inside of the barrel doesn't it?  It seems you would have to fire a projectile similar to your hunting bullet to get "fouling" consistent enough to create an environment where subsequent shots leave a similarly fouled barrel.

IMO, find a powder that does not require you to walk around with a fouled barrel while hunting.   

Bingo,

I foul my barrel with my hunting load.   

[Rainier10]

My first shot in a clean barrel is 6" high 6"right.   2nd and beyond money.  Thank god for 777

[lokidog]

My first shot in a clean barrel is 6" high 6"right.   2nd and beyond money.  Thank god for 777

How is the first shot being high and right a good thing?  "Thank god for 777"  Mine puts the first shot with 777 in the same spot as the second and third....

[Utah]

Haha,   The 777 isn't corrosive as powders in the past for starters.  6 high 6 right us why I foul the barrel. 

2nd shot and beyond group 2 inches at 100yds.


My -06 flat clover leafs once I get at least 60 rds down. The tube.  60- 130 plus.   I've owned rifles I shot clean. 

I have to foul my muzzy loader and I'll leave it fouled till the season is over.. 

Focus bro focus...   


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[Soady]

Haha,   The 777 isn't corrosive as powders in the past for starters.  6 high 6 right us why I foul the barrel. 

2nd shot and beyond group 2 inches at 100yds.


My -06 flat clover leafs once I get at least 60 rds down. The tube.  60- 130 plus.   I've owned rifles I shot clean. 

I have to foul my muzzy loader and I'll leave it fouled till the season is over.. 

Focus bro focus...   


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Wow, all I am focusing on is the corrosion aspect, small wonder 6" off in both directions, that fouling must really fill in the pits.   

[Utah]

From day one bro out if the box.    TC fire hawk,  I'll bet the bore looks better than yours.  I'm not guessing.


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[Smoke]

I always bust a couple of caps to burn any residual oil left in the barrel/nipple from cleaning...

[Rainier10]

My first shot in a clean barrel is 6" high 6"right.   2nd and beyond money.  Thank god for 777

How is the first shot being high and right a good thing?  "Thank god for 777"  Mine puts the first shot with 777 in the same spot as the second and third....

The 777 doesn't corrode my barrel that is why I love it.

Not sure what the reason behind my first shot out of a clean barrel always being a flyer is.  I can tell you that 100% of the time it is high and right, every shot after that is dead on.  Simple fix shoot one shot to foul the barrel and then I am money for the rest of the season.

[lokidog]

I'm curious Rainier, does it do the same thing for every different bullet?  I guess I'm assuming you've tried different bullets.

My thought would be that maybe the gas seal is different enough w/o the fouling, no matter how little from 777, with the bullets you are using.  This seems to be a common "problem" with MLs.  It has been a long time since I have shot a variety of bullets so I don't remember the results with other guns of mine.

I have not bought bullets for my ML in a long time, but found it crazy at the price when I bought a new one to try for my sheep hunt, then they didn't fly decently anyways.  I could see this as a reason people wouldn't shoot a larger variety in an attempt to find one that shot the same out of a clean barrel as a "fouled" one.

[Rainier10]

I shot a few different bullets to find what worked consistently out of the gun.  After I settled in on a consistent load is when I realized that the first clean shot was a flyer.  I was shocked and shot another to find I was right on the mark, third, fourth and fifth shot the same thing.  Cleaned the barrel and shot number one was a flyer again followed up by dead on 2nd-5th shots.  At that point rather than trying to find a bullet and load that was the same from shot 1-5 I just figured I would fire a fouling shot before each season.  That actually accomplished two things, cleared all of the cleaning oil out of the nipple, breech and barrel and got the flyer out of the way.

[Utah]

Lokidog,

I've been fouling the barrels on 3 different ML damn near since Pyrodex was invented.  With all kinds of different bullets.  One shoots 3" high 3" right which honestly is prolly better than most my friends can shoot.  If I shoot a fouling load it prints 2" groups 2" high.   Again,  very thankful the likes of 777.   One fouler and then tight azzed groups.   FWIW I only use loose 777.   Never went the pellet route.   I shoot to much.


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[Soady]

From day one bro out if the box.    TC fire hawk,  I'll bet the bore looks better than yours.  I'm not guessing.
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Pretty bold statement for a fifteen year old muzzy with a  1 in 38 twist  developed when TC thought the sabots were going to be a passing fad thus the non removable breech plug that has always need a fouling shot and never cleaned until the end of the season.
Not saying that what you own and maintain is wrong for you just saying time has progressed with better powders as you stated with 777 being a better propellant as have sabots and conicals. Better cleaning agents have developed as soap and hot water fell victim to the Windex fad which was widely used in the early day, even the old timers gyrated to it shunning the soapy water method yet some still espouse the miracles of both methods.

How one persons habits on how they maintain and treat as well as shoot and sight in their particular weapon of choice reflects to the next persons questions of what to do or expect from the information offered up in regards to results. The results that you achieve with your habits may not work well for others.

When I sight in the bore is going to be the same as when I load the rifle to hunt, squeaky clean, no oil, no fouling and POI is going to remain consistent, because muzzle loading is basically hand loading one perfect shot every time over and over again. The same applies for working out a powder ratio to sabot and conical pared to a targeted range. Anything less is a sloppy habit I don't preach.

That being said one thing is perfectly clear your bore is better looking than mine.

The other thing that is perfectly clear is your first shot needs fouling to make an accurate shot because the first one is going to be 6x6 off because of your habits, so Bro whatever!

[Utah]

Personally I'd never want a removable breech plug.  Done right it isn't necessary.  Not to mention I'll never break a breech plug wrench.

1 in 38"?   Fail to see where that's an issue of any kind.   300ish gr. bullets and I've seen scoped big game rifles that group like wise.   Pellets  suck so does black powder and Pyrodex.   Been there done that  including Pistol powderz.

Yes most likely my "old azzed" firehawk's bore looks better than most anything you've ever seen half it's age to a slobs 3 year old bore.  Knock yourself out with all the windex you like.  It does work great and I've used it a couple times but it's hardly worth going and buying some.  Not like isn't around or near but it's no mike Jordan or magical.

Still kills elk soapy water and all...


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[Utah]

300gr from a 1-38 firehawk.  Smashed both shoulders and took out the heart this last Friday.   She went 12 ft.


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[Utah]

Trust me I'm not guessing...


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[Utah]

Anyway fouling a bore is an excellent way to produce consistent shot placement in the field or at the range. 


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[The scout]

so is not fouling, have zero issues with consistent grouping. don't use gun cleaner just hot soapy water then dry everything really well

[Utah]

so is not fouling, have zero issues with consistent grouping. don't use gun cleaner just hot soapy water then dry everything really well

Thats awesome!!!!  And prolly why you shouldn't be posting comments on this thread as your "clean, dry bore" has nothing to do with with those that require or should I say "much prefer" being fouled.  Most guys that are "ok" with minute of pie plate or even minute of coffee jug lid at 100yds have prolly never figured out how much improvement can be had via a fouler... smashed, shredded primers trump guessin..