ORIGINAL: Roskoe
I hope I didn't misinterpret your post, but are you seating the first round in a clean barrel that has a thin coating ofnatrual lube? Does this cause the sabot to seat easier than it does on subsequent shots? And does that first shot hit the same place as subsequent shots? My experience is that any lube in the barrel at any point in the shooting session adds an element of inconsistency to the grouping.
I agree with having anylube in the barrel and that causing inconsistancy with shooting sabot's.
No I don't leave the natural lube in the bore, i'm just concerned about conrolling flash rust potential.
I use synthetic lubes for long term care for all of my muzzleloaders (inline, cap & flintlocks) as I know that Clenzoil and Otis 085 UltraBore are vastly superior for protection than any natural lube. IMO.
I use natural lubes (T/C Bore Butter) for the field.
However, synthetic lubes need to be removed from the bore and fouling areas prior to shooting as the non-natural lubes will coke or tar up in the bore after firing.
I don't store my rifles with the breech plug or nipple in. Just something I've never done. I stuff a clean patch in the breech to collect any excess lubes from running down into the action. Do the same thing with centerfires also.
When taking a rifle from the safe or long term storage to go hunting or for targeting, I use a Butches Bore Shine patch or two followed by an alcohol patch and then a dry patch to remove the synthetic lubes from the bore.
Now the bore is clean and bone dry.
Then I take a lightly lubed natural lubed patch and run in the bore followed by a clean patch to remove all excess.
This will leave enough residual natural lube (which does not coke/tar in the bore) to control potential flash rusting. But not enough lube to cause problems with sabot's.
I will then clean the breech plug & breech threads with alcohol q-tip swabs and then dry swabs.
I lube the breech plug and breech threads with Birchwood/Casey Choke Tube lube and snug no reef in the breech plug.
Now my rifle is ready to take to the field and be loaded for the first time.
Regards,
Tahquamenon