today was a learning experience

chemist308 · August 21, 2005, 10:53 PM

Well, today was my first day firing a black powder rifle. So far, I've learned quite a bit. Now one fellow at the range was telling me that the reason I can't get any kind of a group is the fact that I'm using a conical in a 1 in 48" twist barrel--said I should switched to patched round balls. Personally I think it was probably more me. Anyway, I was always under the impression that the 1 in 48 was a compromise twist supposedly suitable for balls and conicals.
Anyone know anything about this one?

Also, I was very surprised to find the end of day cleaning to be something better done in a bathtub than a vise. Would have been real easy if I'd installed a slop sink in the garage...

Also, how to you do the between fire cleanings without water. What solvent or just dry patch?

armedandsafe · August 22, 2005, 12:19 PM

Welcome to the joys of "shootin' dirty."

You don't have to clean between every shot with most rifles, just when the ball starts to get tight. I've had rifles where this happened about every 3rd shot and others where I could go close to 10 before they got tight. I use a bronze brush with a squirt of WonderLube 100 followed with a dry patch.

The 1:48 is a compromise in twist, but some rifles are more finicky than others. Try with round balls and see what happens. Sometimes, even varying the thickness of the patch will change the pattern. It just depends on whether your rifle is male (shoot anything just to get a bang) or female (finicky as all getout and changes day-2-day.)

(That sould get me some flames.

)

Pops

wrcook · August 23, 2005, 12:06 PM

Between shots I have always used a damp patch. Most guys had a jar of soapy water on the shooting bench. If you think that you might have gotten the patch too wet, run a dry patch.

August 21, 2005, 10:53 PM	#1
chemist308 Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2005 Location: Pocono Mtns, PA Posts: 587	today was a learning experience Well, today was my first day firing a black powder rifle. So far, I've learned quite a bit. Now one fellow at the range was telling me that the reason I can't get any kind of a group is the fact that I'm using a conical in a 1 in 48" twist barrel--said I should switched to patched round balls. Personally I think it was probably more me. Anyway, I was always under the impression that the 1 in 48 was a compromise twist supposedly suitable for balls and conicals. Anyone know anything about this one? Also, I was very surprised to find the end of day cleaning to be something better done in a bathtub than a vise. Would have been real easy if I'd installed a slop sink in the garage... Also, how to you do the between fire cleanings without water. What solvent or just dry patch?

August 22, 2005, 12:19 PM	#2
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	Welcome to the joys of "shootin' dirty." You don't have to clean between every shot with most rifles, just when the ball starts to get tight. I've had rifles where this happened about every 3rd shot and others where I could go close to 10 before they got tight. I use a bronze brush with a squirt of WonderLube 100 followed with a dry patch. The 1:48 is a compromise in twist, but some rifles are more finicky than others. Try with round balls and see what happens. Sometimes, even varying the thickness of the patch will change the pattern. It just depends on whether your rifle is male (shoot anything just to get a bang) or female (finicky as all getout and changes day-2-day.) (That sould get me some flames. ) Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

August 23, 2005, 12:06 PM	#3
wrcook Member Join Date: July 7, 2004 Posts: 30	Between shots I have always used a damp patch. Most guys had a jar of soapy water on the shooting bench. If you think that you might have gotten the patch too wet, run a dry patch.