tough to clean

[jim m]

installed a coin silver front sight on my .45 so back to the range to sight it in. filled it down just a little and right back on. then during clean up, I cleaned and cleaned. man the fouling  was tough today. same load and lube but this was the hardest it has ever been to get clean. I also noticed at the range when cleaning between shots I got a lot more fouling than normal. I know humidity can play a role but this was still more than I've ever experienced. any ideas, or just chalk it up to oh well chittt happens.

[Gene Carrell]

I have noticed that when shooting Schutzen or especially Swiss powders that humidity as well as OA and barrel temperature will play a huge role in fouling. Low humidity and/or high temperatures will cause more "hard" fouling. I am told that GOEX is quite similar to Schutzen in that respect. Only Elephant seems to be "wet" enough to show little effect ( but, it sure is dirty!).  Elephant  fouling, while volumnous, is qiute soft.

[Dave K]

I would look to your lube as the problem. Yes, changes in humidty and temperature can have an affect, but not really much with a good lube. For me, and your experience may vary, but I never found anything that was good about Elephant as a gun powder. That stuff would cake in my barrels, no matter what I used as a lube. Now, I have used it only as a powder in my shotguns, but that stuff would prevent reloading after only a few shots. Back to the lube, make a change in lube. Some lubes just plain seem to cook in the barrel and cause a real problem. Your mileage may vary.

[Daryl]

Caking and general fouling problems are elivated by using a thicker patch with better lubes. After reading Ned Robert's book back in 1972, I've never had a caking or fouling problem and that's WITHOUT wiping between shots.  I cannot understand how anyone could have these problems if using "the formula, ie:  ball .005 under bore size----; .018" to .022" denim patch----; spit or LHV or Hoppe's #9PLUS for lube
: A nicely radiused crown is necessary for easy loading of the above as is a short starter.

[jim m]

Daryl, your formula is exactly the combo I was using and the fouling was especially tough that day. haven't experienced it before or after

[Daryl]

Interesting, Jim - I don't clean between shots and get no fouling buildup, nor have I since 1972, yet you got buildup when cleaning between shots?

[jerrywh]

What is LHV?

[William Worth]

LeHigh Valley [patch lube].

[T*O*F]

Daryl, your formula is exactly the combo I was using and the fouling was especially tough that day. haven't experienced it before or after

Jim,
I experienced the very same problem as you did at our monthly shoot on 10/5.  It's a .50 cal that I shoot a .495 ball with .018 ticking and LHV.  I had been shooting 2F Elephant or Schuetzen powder in it.  Ran out of Elephant and switched to Goex.  While I didn't have to clean between relays, it took me 16 patches to clean the blamed thing.  Previously it only took 3 maximum.

Normally the fouling has a greenish tinge to it.  This time the black mung just kept coming and coming before I got it clean.  The only difference was the switch to Goex.  Weather conditions weren't out of the ordinary.

[jim m]

I'm not changing anything, just going to chalk it up as one of those things that just happens some time. once when wipping between shots I had so much fouling it was very hard to pull the rod and patch out of the barrel.

[Daryl]

GOEX is the only powder I've used in the last 20 years.