What is/please explain "fouling shot"?

The point of impact for a ball/bullet from a clean barrel will be different than from a barrel that has fired one or more shots so before shooting at a target for score, most shooters beginning a competition with a clean barrel will fire one shot off the scoring target so that all scoring shots are from a "fouled" barrel. So the first shot was the fouling shot. With m/l's, the first shot can be as simple as a half measure of powder fired without ball and patch just to dirty the barrel a bit before loading a full charge with patch and ball.
 
Some believe that with BP or even cast bullet shooters, that the first shot with a clean barrel will not group with the subsequent shoots which are shot with a slightly fouled barrel. So you shoot your first shot(with clean barrel) into the bank(not for score) and that shot is the "fouling shot".

Sorry I missed Ol flinter's post!
 
Yep.

As a matter of fact, just to remove error from the gun, when I go hunting, I always sight-in at the start of the season. I then clean the gun well, and then fire off one shot, just to make the barrel dirty. Then I hunt. That next shot I make will at a deer (hopefully), and I want it going nice and straight. I don't want it 2 inches high and to the right like my fouling shot might.
 
I fire a fouling shot just to be sure there is not a pool of oil in the breach of the barrel just waiting to prevent ignition or reduce the power and accuracy of the load. With my flinter, I use a half charge. I only had to pull a ball once but that was enough trouble that I always use a fouling shot. With percussion people normally fire one or two caps through an empty gun to make sure the flash channel from nipple to powder is clear and oil free. They often or usually fire a fouling shot next to guard against either a partially fouled charge or loss of accuracy from a slick barrel. I know I have definitely had "soft" first shots occasionally.

cheers mooncoon
 
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