Cleaning Shot

[William Worth]

I owe this one to Daryl.  Someplace, he mentioned firing the last shot of a shooting session at a greatly reduced load to take out the fouling ring that builds up at the top of the charge.  

Yesterday while firing my .45 GM barrel at mostly 50 gr. 3F GOEX loads, I thought I would try a 20 gr. 3F load, partly to see if there did seem to be a cleaning effect, partly to see if it would even reach the touch hole and partly in trying to come up with a suitable "starter" load for a recoil sensitive 10 year old niece.  POI at 50 yds only dropped 2" and windage was still dead on and clean up did not have the usual stubborn spot.

I think there's merit to this idea.

Plus, it was cool to be able to see the ball and patch separate on their way down range.

[LynnC]

I too tried that last Saturday.

15 gr in a 50 went POP and a Thunk as the ball hit the 25 yard target.  Forcing the ball past the fouling ring was a bit of a job though.

I do think it was an easier cleanup and will try it again...........................Lynn

[Skychief]

Interesting!   I will give this a try next time out.   Thanks!!!

[Daryl]

   Extra lube - be it spit, water or whatever, will help get the patched ball past the fouling and down on the quib load.  Glad you fellows tried it.

[hanshi]

Interesting!  I will be trying this one next time I shoot.

[LynnC]

Daryl,

Sloppy wet patch, but the powder was Elephant if that tells you anything.