My .58 hawken, that wouldn't hsoot less than 140gr. 2F in the 1980's had a choked bore - Large barrel, maybe .003" choked..
I choked the bore of my 1970's 38" twist .50 cal. Bauska barrel which shot 1" for 5 at 100 yards off the bench using 350gr. Lyman heavy skirt Hollow Base bullets - pre engraved in a 'separate' false muzzle - antique mould. This choke was .004" and lapped in using successively cast adjustable lapps - using Ned's book for reference.
My current barrels are un-choked - except the .69 rifle GRRW feels like it's a bit relieved from about 1 1/2" back from the muzzle to the breech. It's lands and grooves are about equal. It shoots 1" to 1 1/2" at 100 meters (109yds.) Last time papered that irfle, it put 6 consecutive shots into 1 1/4" wide X 3 1/2" high group at 200 yards, sitting at a bench, holding the forend in my left hand, back of the hand resting on the bag- as I always shoot kicking rifles. Instead of the normal charge, I' reduced the charge to reduce elvation from 200 meters to a 200yard zero with the fixed sights. I had fired perhaps 15 shots prior to shooting that group - it matters not how many were fired previously. I use a .030" (caliper tines squeezed hard) denim material, lubed with windshield washer fluid + some neetsfoot oil. It shoots same elevation with mink oil, but slightly larger groups.
The .40 is a Goodioen barrel, with narrow lands, wide grooves, no choke. - no wiping. My .45 GM barrel has normal GM rifling, slightly wider grooves than lands. The .32 has very narrow grooves, wide lands - neither have chokes nor needing wiping to maintain accuracy.
The .58's are both commerical. The Italian Musketoon (Confederate model) is only good for 3" at 100 meters, but only has a 24" bl. with military sights. I thought I could put up with it's accuracy failings. It has the normal tapered depth rifling that all US military rifles of the period were supposed to have, but the replicas don't. It shoots well without cleaning, all day. I loading is simple with it's tapered depth rifling. The bore is not tapered, btw. The Double rifle, I've never targeted yet at 100 meters. At 50 yards, it puts both barrels into 1 1/2". Either barrel shoots into an inch or a bit less. Typical Pedersoli .008" rifling with equal width grooves and lands. No wiping - no accuracy change - in any of them.
The .40 and .45 are the only barrels I've tried wiping between shots. I hated the task and it did not improve accuracy, but the reverse. It gave me uncontrolled fliers, yet I was cleaning exactly the same, each time - I know the drill. I tried 1 wet, 1 dry; then 1 wet, 2 dry, then 1 wet, 3 dry - then 2 wet, etc. etc. My accuracy went to pot with all loads tested. I prefer to shoot, not to wipe - especially when it isn't needed with the loads I shoot. That alone might have been the reason for the poor accuracy - who knows.
You are right, zimmer - everyone has a different idea of what accuracy is. I've said exactly that on here, time after time and relate the story about the boy who thought hitting his 25 yard paper 3 times out of 5 shots was good accuracy - using sand filled .30/30 cases (filed off rims) for his projectiles. He was really excited- told me in a loud, excited voice - "People just throw these things out" I shoot them and boy are they ever accurate" Kinda like beauty is in the eye of the beholder: or - beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes right to the bone - something like that.
