Sighting in

[fly]

Went out and introduced myself to muzzeloading today. Really cool!

I started with 100 grains of powder, but found the kick a little much for my daughter who will use it next season. I went to 80 grains and it felt much better.

Now that I have the hang of loading and firing it's time to get serious about sighting it in.

I didn't start trying to place my shots into groups until after the first 4 shots. At shots 5-7 all were within an apple at 50 yards, but I'd like them to be within a quarter as ML are known for. I cleaned the barrel initially, but not after any of the 7 shots, so before I go buying different powder or adjusting my load I'd like to hear what you all think about the frequency of swabbing the barrel when sighting in????

Thanks,

Frank

[redryder]

I run a wet patch and a dry one after every shot.

[KirkV]

Yeah what he said!

[Buzz]

Really depends on powder. With BP, 777, ect I ran a patch between every shot also. With the Blackhorn I don't. It's on the expensive side but it's well worth it to me.

[huntermq32]

I used to swab after every shot but what happens if you miss your first shot.The barrel is now dirty wich makes quite abit of difrence.Now I will clean barel shoot 4 or 5 shots and won't pay any attention to the first shot.Then when I get sighted in I will clean the barrel and then shoot one or two shots through it before I hunt with it.

[fly]

I used to swab after every shot but what happens if you miss your first shot.The barrel is now dirty wich makes quite abit of difrence.Now I will clean barel shoot 4 or 5 shots and won't pay any attention to the first shot.Then when I get sighted in I will clean the barrel and then shoot one or two shots through it before I hunt with it.

So your first shot (with a clean barrel) is generally off a bit from shots 2-5 (with a dirty barrel)?

[wtnhunt]

So your first shot (with a clean barrel) is generally off a bit from shots 2-5 (with a dirty barrel)?

A clean barrel and fouled barrel in my experience can give different poi's. For the most part here have used pyrodex and have had my best results with hunting with a ml with a fouled barrel. My first shot with a squeaky clean barrel will typically be a bit high.

Some prefer to shoot a clean barrel. Might try both ways and see what works best for you.

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

I always swab between shots even in the field if I have time. I just use an alcohol wet patch and two dry ones. I have my rifles sighted in to hit spot on from a clean barrel. This way I can leave my rifle loaded for several days depending on the weather. If I have a fouled barrel I am cleaning it that night. Too many bad things can happen if a BP rifle is left uncleaned. Actually my second shot with a dirty barrel is close to the clean barrel POI so that is not a problem. That is using the real bp which is dirty.