ORIGINAL: MRE
I took my ML to the range for the first time and the second shot was very hard to load,especiallythe last two inches. I'm using triple 7 powder with powerbelt bullets. I ended up cleaning the bore after every shot. Is there a way to reduce the crud ring so more than one shot can be fired without cleaning? I've heard of shooting with a wet bore, what does that include? Would the use of bore butter help?
What your experiencing is a hard crud build up caused by the Triple Se7en powder. Many shooters have to swab with a damp patch between each and every shot to remove that crud ring to make sure they are seating the bullet properly.
I swab with a patch that I dampen with 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and car windshield washer fluid (summer blend). I work that in short strokes from muzzle to breech, flip it and do it again. Then run two dry patches. This will normally remove even the hardest crud ring. If now wrap the damp patch around a bore brush and swab the bore with that.
Shooting from a damp or wet barrel is not a good idea. Moisture and gun powder do not get along. Even a little moisture can effect powder and there for give you inconsistent loads. It would be hard to judge the true potential of a load if every load was different. Shoot on a dry barrel.
Also the bore butter I personally avoid. It will also cause sabots to be inconsistent. Although some people do butter their sabots and claim it helps them load and they shoot fine. I have yet to see a manufacturer or bullet maker recommend such an idea of buttering a sabot.
As for changing powders, well that is an option. There are powders out on the market that make swabbing a thing of the past almost. American Pioneer, Pinnacle, Shocky Gold (American Pioneer filtered twice I was told), and Black Mag3. There is still some Clear Shot and Clean Shot floating around out there... I have been shooting some Pinnacle. It is a very clean burning powder, but does not like heavy projectiles.
One other powder is Pyrodex. I know a lot of people hate the mess of pyrodex and black powder for that matter, but hard crud rings do not form from the powders. They are also one of the most consistent powders for burning, still being produced. I've been told, a lot of the manufacturers test their rifles with Pyrodex which should tell you something. Yes the fowling is nasty, but you can load a second and even a third shot if you really had to, and with the 209 ignition get them to fire. I do it all the time with Goex. Goex is said to be even worse then Pyrodex. After all is done, you still have to clean the rifle at the end of the day.. no matter what kind of powder you use.
Good luck with your rifle.