Muzzloader newb question about Range day

[doc holiday13]

So how do guys clean on range day when they're trying to figure out load charge. This is for guys not using Blachorn 208. Do guys just bring a bronze brush, hopps #9, and a whole bunch of swabbing patches? Clean every shot? Clean every 2-3 shots?

Using loose powder my assumption is it takes ~20-30 shots for sight in and load tuning, then probably another 20 to get holdovers for 150, 200, 250, and 300?? Obviously that would be almost a 2 day affair if you're giving the barrel time to cool

 

[FaultyNock]

I shoot tripple 7 powder and primers, with powerbelts. My range day goal is to get more shots in the same amount of time. I am not completely cleaning the barrel, breech, or cooling it.

I use TC pre-soaked patches. I wring one out, so it's not dripping wet. Swab the barrel. Then put a dry patch through. I do not remove my breech plug.

This is my general prep for the average whitetail season. If I ever drew a muzzleloader elk tag, I would take the days\weeks\months necessary to practice with a clean cold barrel.

 

[Antares]

I shoot T7 and I do a wet patch of rubbing alcohol followed by a dry patch between every shot. That's it.

 

[ElDiablito]

What you want to do between shots at the range is “swab” the barrel.

777 is water soluble. A cotton patch damp with windex works. Even better is 50/50 windex and alcohol so that the barrel dries faster. You can also spit patch (lick one side of a patch, run it down, flip over and run it down again. A bronze brush also works (although you’re likely to foul the flash hole if you don’t do this upside down and dump out the fouling.)

You’re gonna want to make sure the plug doesn’t get too fouled. You may need to clean it every 10-20 shots.

777 formed a very hard “crud ring” in most rifles near where the bullet sits when loaded. You need to work the swab (patch) in short strokes as you reach it or you will get the jag stuck.

You can usually minimize the crud ring by using percussion caps or “muzzy” 209s with 777.

You definitely need to let the barrel cool if using sabots. Generally, for most guys. You’re taking several days to do the complete load work up. And…odds are you will run into issues and it will take multiple range sessions over numerous days (especially if you are a newb!).

I don’t generally shoot a muzzy more than 10-15 times in one range session.

 

[Antares]

Even better is 50/50 windex and alcohol so that the barrel dries faster.

I'm gonna try this. Thanks! I use alcohol because it dries fast, but I like the Windex/alcohol blend idea.

 

[BBob]

You definitely need to let the barrel cool if using sabots.

That's for sure! If you don't wait and especially so if using a "gets squishy when warm" sabot like the ribbed Harvesters you'll shotgun groups and keyhole bullets wasting your time and components. BTDT

I use Windex too for cleaning and swabbing. Cheap but effective.

 

[Stonehenge]

I clean every two or three shots. Brush and all

 

[Radford]

if it takes you 50 shot to get zeroed you probably need to practice with a 22. Put a few thousand rounds through that then work on the muzzleloader.