Fouling shots, anyone?

Linear Thinker · September 8, 2007, 09:26 AM

This came up in another thread, so let me open a new topic:
Fouling shots.

I like to shoot a clean bore for a bit, before starting to measure the groups for size.

No chicken jokes, please, or any other fowl play

LT

45Marlin carbine · September 8, 2007, 09:44 AM

some shooters discount the first couple shots when trying new loads and fresh barrel, even 'burn 'em into the berm'. I just have several targets on the cardboard cbacker.

CrustyFN · September 8, 2007, 02:41 PM

I have never tried that. I am usually shooting bowling pins or something like that. I think the next time I go to the range I will set up some targets and see how much of a difference I see between a cleen bore and used. Are you shooting from a rest or not? I don't have a rest and probably won't see much of a difference with my limited skill.

Rusty

tomh1426 · September 8, 2007, 03:08 PM

My father does that, 2 fouling shots into the dirt.
He says its because it shoots different with a clean cold boar, which makes sence to me.
The way he shoots used to drive me nuts as a kid, Id hose bullets all over and hed take 1 shot every 20 minutes.
Always feeling the barrel until it gets to the same temp it was befor.
Writing all sortsa crap down in this huge 3 ring binder.
Seemed like more work then fun at the time.

rwilson452 · September 8, 2007, 04:42 PM

I had a 22-250 it would take four shots to return to zero from an absolutly clean bore.

Thesenator · September 14, 2007, 05:11 PM

I have a Savage 110 in .308 that needs a fouling shot or two from a clean bore. After that, it'll do almost same hole accuracy at 100yds, scoped and rested.

oldbillthundercheif · September 14, 2007, 05:25 PM

My Anschutz used to require 50 or more rounds to get back in the swing of things after a rigerous cleaning.

crowbeaner · September 14, 2007, 08:14 PM

I always hunt with a fouled barrel. I make sure the rifle is zeroed for the first shot out of a cold barrel. The first two or three shots from a clean barrel always go left about 2 inches and the next two stack up. That's where I sight in. This way I know the first one is on the crosshairs. Unless I get wet, the rifle just gets wiped down and DRY patched. My $0.02. CB.

Wildalaska · September 14, 2007, 11:09 PM

I'll let ya know Sunday night

WildnotgoingtofoulthisweekAlaska TM

Scorch · September 15, 2007, 12:56 PM

Just a bit of circumstantial evidence:
- My 22-250 typically shoots 1/2"-5/8" 5-shot groups. From a clean barrel, the first 2 shots go high and left, then settle down to normal POI.
- My 7X57 throws the first shot out of a cold barrel about 3" out, the second about 2" out, then settles right down to business.
- My 22LR takes about 5-10 shots before it gets back to point of aim after a cleaning.

In my experience, the first shots from a clean barrel will go to a different point of impact than where you sighted the rifle.

tbtrout · September 15, 2007, 07:40 PM

I really do not notice a difference with a cold barrel. I start out clean and cold, end up hot and dirty, and all of my targets have been hit. I will have to start shooting paper again and see if there is a difference.

Neophyte1 · September 16, 2007, 07:51 AM

Folks: this question has caused me thought for a long time.
If I were target shooting; fouling makes sense;
Should I be going to the field, [I keep mine clean]
We generally get 1 shot.
Try as I might; that first shot has to be understood.
The differences between Target and Field; without question; is knowing what your particular is going to do.
Still struggling with thought .

rwilson452 · September 16, 2007, 08:02 AM

If the firearm your using only has "pie plate accuracy" your not going to notice the difference between a clean and dirty barrel. Once you get down into the 1 MOA range you can surely tell.

It is my habit to fire about 4 rounds and then not clean the bore until I'm done hunting. During Bambie season I will dirty the bore before the season opens and at the same time ensure the sites are still on. I will leave the barrel dirty until I get my quota or the end of the season, which ever comes first.

Ammo Junky · September 16, 2007, 08:54 AM

About halve the rifles I shoot move the poi about 1" at 100yd. The other halve make no difference. When testing a load, I shoot three five shot groups starting with a clean bore. By the third group, I have a good idea about the accuracy of the load / rifle and if the poi moves from the first shot to the 15th. I also see if the group size has changed. Of course I let the bbl cool between shots. A bit off topic, but I have found the particular bullet used matters more than powder charg or bullet jump, assuming they are something reasonable.

September 8, 2007, 09:26 AM	#1
Linear Thinker Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Location: Blue State, NE US Posts: 202	Fouling shots, anyone? This came up in another thread, so let me open a new topic: Fouling shots. I like to shoot a clean bore for a bit, before starting to measure the groups for size. No chicken jokes, please, or any other fowl play LT

September 8, 2007, 02:41 PM	#3
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	I have never tried that. I am usually shooting bowling pins or something like that. I think the next time I go to the range I will set up some targets and see how much of a difference I see between a cleen bore and used. Are you shooting from a rest or not? I don't have a rest and probably won't see much of a difference with my limited skill. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

September 8, 2007, 04:42 PM	#5
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	fouling shots I had a 22-250 it would take four shots to return to zero from an absolutly clean bore.

September 15, 2007, 12:56 PM	#10
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Just a bit of circumstantial evidence: - My 22-250 typically shoots 1/2"-5/8" 5-shot groups. From a clean barrel, the first 2 shots go high and left, then settle down to normal POI. - My 7X57 throws the first shot out of a cold barrel about 3" out, the second about 2" out, then settles right down to business. - My 22LR takes about 5-10 shots before it gets back to point of aim after a cleaning. In my experience, the first shots from a clean barrel will go to a different point of impact than where you sighted the rifle. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 16, 2007, 07:51 AM	#12
Neophyte1 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2007 Location: Clt, NC Posts: 285	Fouling Folks: this question has caused me thought for a long time. If I were target shooting; fouling makes sense; Should I be going to the field, [I keep mine clean] We generally get 1 shot. Try as I might; that first shot has to be understood. The differences between Target and Field; without question; is knowing what your particular is going to do. Still struggling with thought . __________________ Craig By the standards of most

September 8, 2007, 09:44 AM	#2
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	some shooters discount the first couple shots when trying new loads and fresh barrel, even 'burn 'em into the berm'. I just have several targets on the cardboard cbacker.

September 8, 2007, 03:08 PM	#4
tomh1426 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2005 Location: Youngtown Arizona Posts: 1,135	My father does that, 2 fouling shots into the dirt. He says its because it shoots different with a clean cold boar, which makes sence to me. The way he shoots used to drive me nuts as a kid, Id hose bullets all over and hed take 1 shot every 20 minutes. Always feeling the barrel until it gets to the same temp it was befor. Writing all sortsa crap down in this huge 3 ring binder. Seemed like more work then fun at the time.

September 14, 2007, 05:11 PM	#6
Thesenator Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Posts: 126	I have a Savage 110 in .308 that needs a fouling shot or two from a clean bore. After that, it'll do almost same hole accuracy at 100yds, scoped and rested.

September 14, 2007, 05:25 PM	#7
oldbillthundercheif Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2006 Location: New Orleans Posts: 2,450	My Anschutz used to require 50 or more rounds to get back in the swing of things after a rigerous cleaning.

September 14, 2007, 08:14 PM	#8
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I always hunt with a fouled barrel. I make sure the rifle is zeroed for the first shot out of a cold barrel. The first two or three shots from a clean barrel always go left about 2 inches and the next two stack up. That's where I sight in. This way I know the first one is on the crosshairs. Unless I get wet, the rifle just gets wiped down and DRY patched. My $0.02. CB.

September 14, 2007, 11:09 PM	#9
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	I'll let ya know Sunday night WildnotgoingtofoulthisweekAlaska TM

September 15, 2007, 07:40 PM	#11
tbtrout Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 234	I really do not notice a difference with a cold barrel. I start out clean and cold, end up hot and dirty, and all of my targets have been hit. I will have to start shooting paper again and see if there is a difference.

September 16, 2007, 08:02 AM	#13
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	If the firearm your using only has "pie plate accuracy" your not going to notice the difference between a clean and dirty barrel. Once you get down into the 1 MOA range you can surely tell. It is my habit to fire about 4 rounds and then not clean the bore until I'm done hunting. During Bambie season I will dirty the bore before the season opens and at the same time ensure the sites are still on. I will leave the barrel dirty until I get my quota or the end of the season, which ever comes first.

September 16, 2007, 08:54 AM	#14
Ammo Junky Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: IL Posts: 537	About halve the rifles I shoot move the poi about 1" at 100yd. The other halve make no difference. When testing a load, I shoot three five shot groups starting with a clean bore. By the third group, I have a good idea about the accuracy of the load / rifle and if the poi moves from the first shot to the 15th. I also see if the group size has changed. Of course I let the bbl cool between shots. A bit off topic, but I have found the particular bullet used matters more than powder charg or bullet jump, assuming they are something reasonable. __________________ Will work for brass. I apologise in advance for spelling errors.