ORIGINAL: CAJUNBOWHNTR
My oldest son just got out of college and got his first real job.He gave me an early christmass present last night,a new thumbhole stocked Omega
.I allways new I raised that boy right.Anyway I plan on shooting 250 grain shockwaves but need some load advice on powder and primers.I have some 777,but am weary of the infamous "crud ring".Is this for real or an internet myth? Any help you can give is appreciated.
Thanks,
CB
The crud ring unfortunately is not a myth. They are real, they exist and can be a real pain and danger to those that do not understand them and how to treat them. Most of the fowling in a barrel of the rifle will be removed by a simple swabbing of the barrel between shots. This swabbing of the barrel produces better accuracy with most rifles, powders, and projectiles, generally speaking. Also make your first shot count and you will not have to concern yourself with the crud ring.
If you have 777 powder, I would sure try it in the rifle. Some Winchester Triple Se7en primers or Remington Kleenbore primers might help control the crud ring,
if your rifle is even going to experience one.
Shoot your first shot, and then try to load a second with out swabbing. If you're able to do so, that is really all that should concern you for hunting. If it is near impossible, that means you will have to swab between shots or find a secondlesser projectile that will allow for a fast second shot. Sometimes its as simple as going to a thinner sabot like a Harvester Crushed Rib or a MMP HP-24 (I believe it is).
You can also find a different powder that will allow you to not swab. For a non swabbing powder which seems made to shoot sabots, I'd recommend Black Mag3 right now. I am kind of impressed with the powder.
If you do not mind swabbing between shots, then take a patch. Dampen it slightly with a mix of 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and car windshield washer fluid. When work that patch down the bore in 4" at a time strokes. When you do reach the bottom breech area you will "feel" a hard crust like in there. Keep working that patch until it disappears. Now run two dry patches, like the damp one, in short strokes. With the barrel dry, load your second shot. In the field this might be an inconvenience. But make your first shot count and while you're giving time for the animal to expire (or run up and chew a hole in you
) you can swab and reload.
Good luck with your new rifle. And you should be proud you raised such a fine young man, and that this young man listened to his lessons when raised and became the fine considerate person he is...