I shoot a T/C Black Diamond. The last two times I have sighted-in, my first shot (clean barrell) has been about 4" high at 100 yds. However, my 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc shots are consistently much better. Does this have anything to do because the barrel is now dirty? Also, should I be concerned when firing at a deer with that first "clean" shot?

Thanks.....Jimmy

Both of mine do the same thing. Based on some advice from Randy at Barnes bullets, I was taking a fouled gun afield for a couple of seasons - since it shot high on the first shot, and then shot a very good group from the second to seventh shot (without any swabbing). Since then, however, I have been enlightenend on the benefits of swabbing the barrel in between shots and have discovered that the point of impact is about the same from the first shot through the fifth shot. So I now go afield with a clean gun. Which is what I wanted to do in the first place.

I think the issue is consistency . . . trying the get the same amount of barrel friction against the bullet/sabot every shot. I know people who lube every shot, some whojust shoot em and load em, manywhoswab/clean between shots.

All guns can be different. I was shooting my Black Diamond XR today and the first shot was 2" higher then the rest. Now that might not sound like a lot, but when you figure at 50 yards your already 2" high, then add 2 more inches, you better be a little careful where you aim for that first shot.

To make sure I checked it at all the different ranges. Of course once it is dirty and I swab between shots, it behaves perferct. So I think I will just fowl the barrel if I decide to use it tomorrow instead of the Wolverine.

I was wondering the same thing. I am new to MLing and today trying to sight mine in, the impact moved where i wanted to up to the 5th shot, then i could tell the barrel was getting dirty, I cleaned it and started again, now my shot was low but consistant for the next 3 shots. Do I need to clean the barrel throughly after every few shots to sight it in?

You should swab the barrel with a solution on a patch followed by a couple dry patches. This will give you the best consistancy in your shots. There is very little need to break the gun down and actually clean it. The only time I actually field clean a rifle is when I have been shooting a lot and have decided to work up a different projectile. That is when I will field clean it which is nothing near a normal cleaning session.