How often should I lube barrel

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merrill

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Ok, this will probably sound stupid, but how often should I run a lubed patch down the bore of my rifle when shooting? After each shot? Will the lube or lack thereof affect my groups?
 
You are going to get a lot of different opinions. The amount of fouling, and therefore the need for cleaning and lubing, will vary with brand of powder, type of lube, and caliber.

I get maximum accuracy (smallest group sizes) when I clean the bore with a damp mop followed by a dry patch between shots using a lubed patched round ball. I get acceptable (for hunting) sized groups just using a liberally lubed patch on the ball between shots. If I am using a conical (no patch), accuracy falls off after three shots if I don't swab and re-lube the barrel.

This in a .54 Hawken using real black, not a substitute, and patches lubed with PAM cooking spray (canola oil).
 
REAL BLACK
Rule-1: You don't want "clean/no fouling". You want damp repeatability in the fouling that's left.
MuzzleLoaders:
That means one damp (only spit damp) patch down & back up 2X between shots is "best" return.

Cartridge:
No patch cleaning.
Instead, 4X blow-tube (See Rule-1)
 
I shoot .50 caliber 250gr. sabots over 2 pellets of 777. (100gr. BP equivalent).
 
You are going to get some melted plastic in that barrel in addition to powder fouling.

When you find that it takes more force to seat the projectile, you have waited too long.
 
ive shots thousands of rounds through muzzies each year and ive yet to find any kind of traces of plastic left behind, even with the hot burning powders like blackhorn209.
 
frontiergander said:
ive shots thousands of rounds through muzzies each year and ive yet to find any kind of traces of plastic left behind, even with the hot burning powders like blackhorn209.
Click to expand...
You have been luckier than me. I tried saboted slugs years ago and had problems. I've used only patched round balls since then.

Proof that your mileage may vary.
 
J- Bar may be on to something. When I cleaned the rifle, I did notice small shards of melted plastic. It that a sign of lack of lube or too hot of a load?
 
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