Help with loading, cleaning procedure while sighting in

[Pickwick]

Can someone give me their procedure while sighting in for best groups. (Shoot,swab, load, best patch lube, etc.)  I was shooting my new Crockett last night  with 20 grains of Pyrodex and hit the top of the 1 inch ring with the first two shots touching at 30 yds.  I shot the first shot, ran a spit-patch down the bore, then a dry patch and loaded again.  I did the same thing after the second shot and was nowhere near the other two.  I am using .010 patches, weighed charges, and Break-free on my patches ( I read this somewhere, could this be my problem). 

This little gun is an absolute blast to shoot but I am wondering if my procedure is correct or do I need to try something different.  Thanks

[flintlock]

When I am shooting for groups, I always swab between each shot...I use 2 damp patches (alcohol), run both sides down, dry with a patch, run 1 lubricated patch down and dry, then I load.

I use SnoSeal for patch lube.

When hunting....
I can get by not swabbing my .54 and still get good deer hunting groups....I can't do this with my .40, and get good squirrel head groups....

[olduvai george]

What you are trying to do for accuracy is to maintain "same" barrel conditions. Sometimes a gun will throw a first shot or even two shots before settling down for a nice group. and this is even with the damp patch/ dry patch in between. You just have to observe very closely what your gun does. ALWAYS know where the first or second shots go, when grouping begins, and shoot accordingly. BTW, I reccommend you start at say 10 grains 3f and shoot groups increasing by 2 grains per group. This will show you a good charge or charges to use.  My long barrelled 32 shoots ragged  one hole groups at 25 yards of the bench and at 50, with either 15 0r 30 grains, its just that the 15 grain/50 yard groups are a little lower. 15 is a killer on squirrels requiring a head shot to save meat. I use the 30 grain load if there is a good chance of larger game being available. For hunting, you must be able to easily load with the gun's ramrod. Target shooting can be a little tighter to load. I use a .321 ball and .005 patch for hunting and it requires a short starter to load. I would not use break free for patch lube. Use plain crisco solid shortening if you have nothing else. It will not keep from rusting, so use wd-40, or even break free after cleaning and drying. Wipe it out before shooting.  Keeping from rusting and lubing for shooting are two different things. Before you start shooting, smear a little patch lube around the drum & nipple or where the breech and lock smut from firing. The lube will make cleanup easier. Good shooting!

[coyotejoe]

Most people agree that small calibers foul the bore much worse than larger calibers and the .32 is especially finicky, certainly swab the bore after every shot, even when hunting.  That isn't such a big deal on small game because you'll hardly ever need a fast follow-up shot.  The patent breech of the Crockett is a very weird one.  There is often a slight gap between the front of the patent breech and the rear of the rifled bore. This gap tends to catch and hold the cleaning patch. If it takes a sharp tug to pull the rod back from the bottom of the bore it is probably due to the gap.  This sets your minimum powder charge as you much load enough powder to fill the recess of the patent breech and the gap so that the ball does not enter the gap. It takes about 20 grains as a safe minimum with the Crockett rifle.

[Swamp Yankee]

    You have been given some good advice. First off Change patch lubes.....Break-Free will leave kind of a tar like deposit in your barrel thats hard to get out. There are countless lubes out there store bought and homemade. All work well.....there have been a number of debates here on lube, you might want to check the arcives. I used Bore butter for years in the warm weather, Lehigh works well and I have used Mink Tallow from Track of the Wolf  good for cold weather. I have started using Balistol this year with very good results.
    The key to accuracy is to duplicate every step shot after shot. consistancy is the key!....For what its worth,personally the use of a bore button  aka over powder wad helped shrink my groups. It's an added cost but was worth it to me.....Jim

[wgr]

i dont have a thing against  bore butter.  but i use crisio it works  just as well and cost alot less . if its to thick for you thin it with a little mineral oil   r liquid  coen oil  just  as long as it has no salt. i also use crisio bees waxs mix to lube maxie balls
 r if its real cold just stright crisio.

[Pickwick]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I think I will try the Crisco tomorrow for a round with the squirrel dog, tho she might not appreciate the slow reload times.  This is sure a fun little gun to shoot and a lot more accurate than I would have thought.