Bore condition
- Thread starter Grantmac
- Start date
Somehow I didn't notice all these replies.
The rifle is for walking trail shoots, I hunt with a bow here. So boring it out isn't really a step in the right direction. Although a 54 definitely gets the targets swinging better.
I had my first range day with it in a while and some changes seemed to have helped.
First off I got some very tight weave cotton that mic'd at 0.011"
Second thing was getting a new nipple.
Third I ran just a little bit of green scrubby down near the breach end which seemed to make an improvement when I put the camera down after.
Last thing was going back to a basic water and soap lube which I kept the patches moist but not dripping with.
Straight off no hammer bounce, much easier loading but still took a shove which remained consistent for +20 shots. Clover leafs at 25yds.
At the suggestion of a range mate I went up into the 60gr area and things tightened up still. Went to 50yds and rang steel nonstop offhand.
I think 90% of that improvement was the nipple. Apparently when the get bad enough to bounce the hammer with even light loads it can also lead to fouling. The new nipple has such a small bore that capping it off won't blow a patch out.
-Grant
The rifle is for walking trail shoots, I hunt with a bow here. So boring it out isn't really a step in the right direction. Although a 54 definitely gets the targets swinging better.
I had my first range day with it in a while and some changes seemed to have helped.
First off I got some very tight weave cotton that mic'd at 0.011"
Second thing was getting a new nipple.
Third I ran just a little bit of green scrubby down near the breach end which seemed to make an improvement when I put the camera down after.
Last thing was going back to a basic water and soap lube which I kept the patches moist but not dripping with.
Straight off no hammer bounce, much easier loading but still took a shove which remained consistent for +20 shots. Clover leafs at 25yds.
At the suggestion of a range mate I went up into the 60gr area and things tightened up still. Went to 50yds and rang steel nonstop offhand.
I think 90% of that improvement was the nipple. Apparently when the get bad enough to bounce the hammer with even light loads it can also lead to fouling. The new nipple has such a small bore that capping it off won't blow a patch out.
-Grant
I would second on the valve grinding compound or JB Bore paste/ Kroil mix. tight jag and cleaning patch...take your time .
for a bad bore ..stainless steel steel wool, up and down with a bore cleaner then to jag and patch , then do the valve grinding compound and tight patch ..you are hand lapping your bore .. most older muzzleloaders from the 1970s -80s were not shot a lot .
A barrel light is your friend if you can not get one go to your local fishing supply store and find a bobber light. They slide down a bore on a fixed breech plug barrel no problem. Not as good as a bore scope but very helpful for cleaning.
New nipple helps I would change my nipple after every competition on my Parker Hale
I have used 3fg and prefer it in anything 54 and under, 2fg for larger stuff
Triple 7 3fg loose in modern Inlines with a all lead conical.
for a bad bore ..stainless steel steel wool, up and down with a bore cleaner then to jag and patch , then do the valve grinding compound and tight patch ..you are hand lapping your bore .. most older muzzleloaders from the 1970s -80s were not shot a lot .
A barrel light is your friend if you can not get one go to your local fishing supply store and find a bobber light. They slide down a bore on a fixed breech plug barrel no problem. Not as good as a bore scope but very helpful for cleaning.
New nipple helps I would change my nipple after every competition on my Parker Hale
I have used 3fg and prefer it in anything 54 and under, 2fg for larger stuff
Triple 7 3fg loose in modern Inlines with a all lead conical.
