Originally Posted by
jchpd203
I have used sabots (T/C Shockwaves) all along but have used 777, Pyrodex, and also SHockey's Gold. I am now using BH209. With the first 3 powders I could get 2, maybe 3 shots before I had to clean because I could not get a bullet down the tube. With BH209, I have shot 15 bullets and was still able to get them down the tube with minimal effort. It was the powder residue after burning that obstructed the barrel. With BH209 there is very little residue which allows you to go longer between scrubbing the barrel if you need to. I have not had any problem with plastic residue in the barrel. I use a bronze brush with some solvent to clean and finish with an alcohol swab to make sure there are no contaminants left in the barrel to foul the next shot.
I think you are spot on. The fouling of non-bh subs certainly affects the ability to reload. How many times you can is probably determined by how tight of fit the sabot is. In most hunting situations, I don't think it would really ever become an issue - unless the load you are shooting is really tough to load on a clean barrel.
I keep a patch and jag with me when I hunt, just in case. Never had to use it in the field, but a spit patch will knock out 95% of the fouling in a few strokes. I do it all the time on range sessions.
My personal opinion on blued or stainless....go stainless. IMO, its just so much more resistant to fouling and weather, etc. I'm a Knight fan...their stainless is top notch.