ORIGINAL: ejpaul1
Alright, I got my yukon out today for the first time and put about 15 rounds through it. I was using pyrodex RS powder and although it seemed that the accuracy was probably there, I had to run at least a dry patch though it after every shot to maintain accuracy. The patch I would run through would always have tons of black crap on it, real thick with a few grains of unburnt powder. Is this normal? Would a different powder allow me to shoot more times between cleaning? The powder was like 2 years old, was this a problem? Thanks in advance. EJ
Pyrodex RS is a great powder but the one draw back is.. it is a dirty powder. Also be very careful running a dry patch down the barrel. Dry patches can get stuck down there easy. Instead, run a "damp" patch down first, working it in small short strokes. After you get to the bottom and work it back, then run one or even two dry patches after. I use a mix of 50/50 car windshield washer fluid and isopropyl alcohol.
The black crud and even unburnt powder is common. There are other powder out there that do not fowl as bad. The question is would you still maintain the accuracy with out the swabbing. It is an unfortunate fact that many inline rifles require a swabbed barrel to maintain their accuracy. These are not the old fashion patch and ball guns where we could shoot all day. Now you do have a fact that the powder is old. And you might want to try some new powder and see if the results change.
Other powders with less swabbing are American Pioneer Powder Company, Goex Pinnacle, Shockey Gold, and Black Mag Three. When you change over to Triple Seven, I find I have to swab to avoid the nasty crud ring, except when I am shooting conicals out of my White UM.