Originally Posted by
wabi
Sounds like good advice to me!
I'll give that method a try!
I like to load the rifle (powder & bullet) at home and since I live in town a fouling shot isn't possible. I usually just swab the bore (with an alcohol patch) to remove any oil and then run a couple dry patches through the bore before I load. Here a ML isn't legally "loaded" until the cap is on the nipple (or the pan primed), so I can load the powder & projectile and transport it legally.
It does seem like the first shot has always been very close to the point of aim in every range session even though I've tried several different bullet weights. (240, 250, 295, & 300gr)
Wish I could find some BH 209 to try, but no local dealers handle it (yet). I've always got the best accuracy with real BP (Pyrodex a very close second), so I'm just sticking with ffg Goex for now.
Luckily I have a 21" GM "long range hunter" barrel on my T/C Hawken that isn't picky about bullet weight, so all those "failures" in the CVA won't go to waste.
I hope you can find some BH209. The Wolf Loves that stuff..
Tony Knight taught me a trick and I have been using it ever since.
Run a dry patch down the barrel with a jag and seat the jag on a empty breech plug. Put a Primer in and pull the trigger on it. There is just enough back pressure on the ramrod to hold. The ramrod will move about 3 inches. Pull the ramrod out. You should have a good size pin hole to large pin hole in the middle of the patch with lots of blackening around the patch. This ensures you have a clean barrel and clear flame channel. I have never had any issues with mis fires using this method. IT WORKS!
Good luck man and happy hunting!