To Foul the Barrel or Not?

[trouttouter]

Hey, guys. I'll finally be sighting in my CVA Wolf muzzle loader in the next two weeks to get ready for the season. Between shots I plan on running my .50 caliber bore snake through a few times. The question I have is; should I be firing a primer cap to foul the barrel once it is clean, or should I just clean it and fire it? Thanks.

[treefarmer]

trouttouter,
I believe that after a thorough cleaning, folks that shoot sidelocks always seem to fire a percussion cap to make sure there is nothing to restrict the charge from reaching the powder, like bore lube or gun oil. Cleaning an in-line, it is easy to see if the is any oil or debris in the bore or nipple that will create a problem. Cleaning or wiping the bore after each shot is a way to keep everything balanced if you are working on sighting in a rifle. Residue will continue to build in the bore and each time you seat a projectile on a new charge, will require more force and probably not be give the accuracy your rifle is capable of producing.
Treefarmer

[TerribleTed]

to add to the post above firing a cap also help to dry the barrel.

I have had guns that the first shoot on a clean barrel never hits so remember track you shoot groups. On that old gun i would fire a load of powder with a patch then load it to go hunting.

[DONY1]

My CVA seems to shoot better after popping a cap so I always do. You'll figure this out at the range. With a clean barrell I'm all over the place.

[9dawgs]

My CVA seems to shoot better after popping a cap so I always do. You'll figure this out at the range. With a clean barrell I'm all over the place.

X2. It's easy enough to do and not expensive. When at the range shoot it clean then clean it and pop a cap and shoot it. That way you'll be able to tell if it makes a difference in your gun. Always has in my sidelocks.

[trouttouter]

Thanks, guys. Just for reference here is the rifle I am talking about.

http://www.cva.com/CVA-Store-View.php?id=47

[Iluv2hunt]

I guess I am the black sheep. I do not foul the barrel. I clean thoroughly, using brake parts cleaner in the breech plug and a final shot of windex down the barrel to get a mirror finish. I then run dry patches, and a mop down the barrel, and qtips in the breech plug

It is mirror finished and dry when I load it. It definitely shoots different when clean vs dirty. And I have found that is shoots to a certain spot when 100% clean. Actually shoots about 3" higher clean than dirty. Being that BP and substitutes absorb so much moisture I prefer to have a clean gun and just hunt with it that way. If I shoot it I will break it down and clean it thoroughly when I get back to camp.
I have same gun BTW

[Cr0ck1]

i fire a primer to dry out any oil or anything that might moisten the powder. Id rather be safe then sorry.

[30.06]

in my cva wolf i clean between shots everytime at the range, it shoots just fine. i have an old tc renegade sidelockv that sometimes doesnt even fire if you dont fire a couple caps.

[TerribleTed]

Also why use a dirt barrel because if you out in areas like me you may have to shoot more than once in the same sit. I had to shoot a hog at day break then a deer 20 minuets later. I have also shoot 3 hogs one afternoon. I can only wish for more days like those.

[trouttouter]

I guess I am the black sheep. I do not foul the barrel. I clean thoroughly, using brake parts cleaner in the breech plug and a final shot of windex down the barrel to get a mirror finish. I then run dry patches, and a mop down the barrel, and qtips in the breech plug

It is mirror finished and dry when I load it. It definitely shoots different when clean vs dirty. And I have found that is shoots to a certain spot when 100% clean. Actually shoots about 3" higher clean than dirty. Being that BP and substitutes absorb so much moisture I prefer to have a clean gun and just hunt with it that way. If I shoot it I will break it down and clean it thoroughly when I get back to camp.
I have same gun BTW

I thought I remembered this ritual. Thanks.

[vonnick52]

I've always fouled the barrel on mine, but it's an old side lock and the first shot after cleaning is always higher than the next few.

[nachogrande]

As per the knight disc manual, they recommend at least 1-2 caps be shot TO DRY THE BORE from oil or moisture. It also fouls the bbl at the same time, kind of a 2 birds with 1 stone. I like Alans idea cuz if you don't get a shot the gun is still clean. The difference between a clean/dry vs fouled bbl will vary gun to gun and just HOW FOULED are you talking about? If the bbl is clean /dry and fouled with just a cap or 2 then I don't get much diff esp at under 50 yd's to worry about. If you oil your bbl then YES, at least 1 cap, but I don't see the need to fire a full load. I wouldn't recommend leaving any guns bbl clean/dry without oil or some type of protectant for very long, not sure exactly what is in windex.

[born2hunt]

Consistency is the key. Do in the woods what you do at the range . My optima is stainless so I don't have to clean as thoroughly . I shoot and run two damp patches then one dry patch then reload . Even in the woods after shooting a deer I've done the same so the following shot will always be on point .

[blackpowderscout]

Y'all should just shoot flintlocks. You dont have to worry about popping caps or pulling plugs. Just make sure your rock is sharp and the touchhole is clear! Makes you feel like the Dr Pepper mountain man too...lol