Thanks for posting about your wiping between shot routine, Semisane. I did not expect the Liquid Wrench to keep the fouling soft, but maybe it will work that way as a patch lube - a test needs to be done with it, without wiping.
Seems to me, a fouling softening lube is not necessary for target work where the bore is wiped between shots. Many target shooters use up to .022" thick denim with teflon coating for target work with a ball up to .007" LARGER than the bore. The Dutch Schultz method (that you can buy from him) using Ballistol & water that is dried, but as well, this needs wiping between shots as it will not keep the fouling soft.
If wiping is necessary, then the Liquid Wrench is not going to work for us, as we choose not to wipe between shots. Thanks for the notes on it and NICE target - just under 1 1/2" it looks. Good group.
There’s fouling generated with shooting black powder. If you do not clean between shots you push it down with the patched ball. It takes up some volume.
Not sure what you mean by "takes up volume", Rich. 56% to 57% of the BP charge burned, is solid waste of course. Some of that stays in the bore as fouling after the shot, the rest is blown clear. Whatever is left in the bore after the shot, is pushed down as the patched ball is pressed down onto the powder charge of the next shot just as you noted. However ALL of that comes back out with that shot. It does not build or stay in the bore.
The only buildup, is in that area near the breech where the powder charge sits. For those who shoot without wiping, that area never gets wiped during a shooting session, whether it is a trail walk, shooting match, testing at the range, or hunting. We clean after the shooting is over for the day. Generally, water based for target work, oil or an animal grease for hunting.
If however, there is a length of time between the last shot and the next time the gun is loaded, THAT next shot will be slightly harder to push down - crunchy as the powder fouling in the bore has had a chance to dry out.
There will likely be a slight loss in accuracy of that shot, say on a trail walk, however the loss of accuracy, is generally not noticed on a trail walk due to the close range shots and size of the targets. If it will or you think it might make a difference, calling a fouling shot and discharging that load then loading afresh, works just fine - every time.
I've not been to a match which will not allow that if you desire. Fire it off, then reload. I have done this myself on our own trail, hitting the target with the called 'fouling' shot, then loading and missing it with my scoring shot.
IT happens.
There is some buildup in the breech area,shot to shot of course (if you shoot without wiping), but we've shot up to 100 and more shots without wiping or cleaning and the fouling buildup in the powder chamber area has caused no problems nor effected accuracy in any way that we can see. There never is ANY buildup in the bore itself, where the ball rides.
Due to the buildup in the breech, the rod simply will not go down to the same spot or mark on the rod, as the first few shots so easily do. THAT buildup does take up space. Forcing the rod to that mark will require heavy compression of the powder charge, which will change it's burn rate and THAT will adversely effect accuracy.
On the other hand, loading to the same "pressure" on the powder, each and every shot, will ensure consistent accuracy and a consistent 'condition' inside the bore. This is easy to do with a snug load that cleans the previous shot as you load the next one, just as Ned Roberts wrote in "The Muzzleloading Cap Lock Rifle" 1934, I think it was published.
Thus, there is no buildup in the area where the patched ball rides in and out, doesn't matter how many shots you make, as long as you use a lube that keeps the fouling soft, shot to shot. For target work, water based lubes work just fine, and for hunting, rendered animal fats (those without salt) seem to work very well.
