How many shotsdo you make before you clean your ML. I was zeroing in my buddies TC Triumph today and noticed after 3 shots the accuracy would suffer. The first 3 shots with a clean barrel, the bullet holes touch each other, then after that shot 4 and 5 would be about 3 inches off. What is your experience?

Many people swab between each shot... Although depending on the kind of powder you shoot, that also can make a difference. If you want consistency, swab between each shot. You will find better accuracy. It sounds like you have some great accuracy with your rifle.

The shots were taken using a Lead Sled at 70 yards. I used 150 grains of Jim Shockey's pellets (powder) and a 245 grain power belt copper series bullet with the aero tip. This is my friends brand new gun (TC Triumph) with a 3-9x scope on it. He is on the road unable to sight in, soI am helping him out so he can hunt thisSaturday (last day of season here).I was really impressed with the shot pattern. This is the load he wanted to shoot,I am new to ML and trying to learn all I can.

This may sound silly butI am a bit unfamiliar with the ML terminology. When you say swab do you mean to use a patch or I have another cleaning tip that looks like a little mop QTIP that screws onto a ramrod.
ShouldI use cleaner or just dry?

Ihave used the brass wire brush attachment pushed in at the breach and out at the front of the barrel. That seems to really get it good and clean.Any advice is appreciated.

I found on my CVA Wolf that if I swab between shots I'm pretty tight. At 50 yards holes touching. I cleaned my barrel and moved the target out to 100 yards and took 6 shots without cleaning between shots and this is what I ended up with. Basically the same as you did.

I'll start the powerbelt info thread after all........

I clean after every shot. Drythe bore, then shoot with clean bore every shot. I want to make sure i know where my shot is going, as thats how i sighted it in. Only time i don't swab is when i have shot a deer and reload just in case! Then i also know that it has always hit less than a 1/2" from 1st shot to 2nd.

When you swab, it is a process of taking a cleaning patch and lightly dampen it with a cleaning solution, like Windex. Then you work that patch on a cleaning jag down the barrel from the muzzle end in 3-4 inch strokes. When you reach the breech pay special attention to that area. Work the patch back up the barrel. Then work one or two dry patches down the barrel in the same manner so that the barrel is free of major fowling deposits and is now dry.

After that, load the barrel like normal. It should improve your accuracy after that third shot. Although the claim with Shockey Gold pellets is swabbing is not necessary, but then I do not believe everything I read.

After playing around with my CVA Wolf I bought about two weeks ago I discovered after one shot and a dry swab the powerbelt was hard to get down. After the second shot I practically had to put my total weight on the ramrod to get the third bullet in place. Here's my cleaning and shooting routine now and it's made things way easier....

After cleaning, run a patch with a little, not completely saturated, just a little Bore Butter through it. Then I use a dry swab several times until it comes out with no yellow from the Bore Butter. When I shoot I just take a swab and spit on it, or chew it briefly if you have to, run it in and out once. Take a dry patch and run it down, turn that patch over and run it down again. After this, the Powerbelt slids down with practically one finger on the end of the ramrod. I know some people don't like Bore Butter because it "builds up" in the barrel if you use too much. I just make sure that I scrub the barrel with copper brush really good and run cleaning solution through it and dry it until the patches come out clean.

There may be other ways or better ways, but this is what I've found to make mine easier to reload and keep clean.

My two CVA guns will make decent 100 yard three shot groupsat 100 yards without cleaning between shots when using 777 orPyrodex. When using 777, my .50 Encore must be very carefullyscrubbed usingWindex with vinegarbetween shots: Otherwise the first bullet will be in the center of the 100 yard bull and the second one somewhere on the target six to eight inches from the first.

BTW: i usually swab between shots.

I have an Optima and used to run a patch with windex on it after every shot. I have found that my groups are better with a simple spit patch followed by a dry patch twice. This will do me fine for about 25 straight loads.