Please help me and my son

[Dyllan]

We are both new to muzzle loader season. I have missed 1 and my son has missed 2 deer. We found out that our rounds are not hitting where they did at the range. I was cleaning the barrels every 2 to 3 times.... Today before we left the woods I took a 50 yard shot at a target..... It didn't even hit the target... Without changing anything I loaded up another round and took the same shot,,, BINGO,,, right where it was suppose to hit.... So this tells me that if I were to site my rifle in at the range and clean it after every shot...that when I took another shot, (with the barrel being dirty now) that my round will not hit where it's suppose to. SOOOOO, what can I use to dirty my barrel? One of my friends told me to just put one pellet in, 50 grains and shot it before I go out in the woods??? This would be loud in the early morning and not wize just before a hunt. Is there anything I can buy or do? Please help me and my 12 yr. old son out here... his old man hasn't a clue???
Very Respectfully,
Me and My Son....

[Casull]

I've never heard of a ML barrel that was that finicky, although I'm sure there are a few things that I've not yet heard of.  I could see a shot through a clean barrel being off an inch or two at fifty yards, but not to miss the whole target.  If I were you, I'd first check out your scope mounts and rings (if you are using a scope), since it could be as simple as a loose scope.  Then make sure that you aren't mixing components (i.e. carrying two or more brands of primers).  Other than that, I'm not sure.  Maybe someone on here can offer more.  Good luck and good for you to be passing on the tradition to your son. 

[dmurphy317]

Missing the target at 50 yards does sound a bit strange but I have seen as much as 4" of difference at 100 yards. As for fouling the barrel before the hunt you have several possible routes to take. If you have a place to shoot a squib load that is somewhat away from the hunting area, like down the road a bit, that would allow you to pop a small load with some cleaning patches stuffed down over the powder to hold it in place. That would not be as loud as a full load with a bullet. Another option is to do it the night before, if your in a humid area that is not neccessarily a good idea. Either way you want to keep the gun out of a heated area such as a house or camper due to the possibility of condensation forming with temp extremes. I have even shot off a pellet without a patch or something for back pressure but I don't think it works as well without the patches. Pellets without something over them can sometimes turn into flying flares that can start a fire when they land. Be careful.

If you can, I would sugest you try each method you are considering at the range to verify it works so you can be confident in the results and in your shot opportunities. Good luck.

[AlbanyCO]

Can you tell us more about the guns you are your son are shooting? What load are you using? What powder? What bullet? What you use for sights? Scope or otherwise? My first thought is that your scope is Fishsmeckled.

[Keith Lewis]

Need more information about rifles and loads you are using. My Omega became unreliable after a year of shooting just fine. I finally found a front screw mount that was loose and the synthetic stock had changed (there was barrel pressure on one side that had not been there before). T/c synthetic stocks sometimes are a little too light in my opinion.

[Busta]

Dyllan,

First of all, welcome to Graybeards.

Do you live in a cold climate? Are you taking your uncapped loaded guns back inside the warm house at night? If you are, condensation forms in the barrels, and can actually wet your charge. When you shot your charge out and didn't hit the target, but then reloaded and did, this tells me either your charge has been comprimised or your rifle needs to be fouled before hunting. As was mentioned earlier, usually a rifle that likes to be fouled first will only print a couple inches away from a shot through a clean bore.

Just speculating here, but those rifles need to be kept near the same temperature once they have a charge in them. I either leave mine locked in the truck overnight, or in a locked cabinet in the unheated garage if not hunting that day. Pellets absorb moisture like a sponge, 777 pellets even more so, and they don't have that little bit of Black powder at one end to help out.

As mentioned, we need more information such as, rifle, powder, scope/sight, storage, etc.

[mardrobe]

I had a similar problem when I checked the scope last season.  I was using triple 7 pellets and had stored them in an un airconditioned cabinet.  Apparently the pellets absorbed too much moisture and were not igniting properly.  Replacing the pellets solved the problem.

[Redhawk1]

Clean your barrel every time as if you were shooting on a clean barrel each time when you are sighting in. Now it will shoot on a clean barrel to the same point of aim with a clean barrel.

I know it is a lot of work, but that is what others have had to do.

[Foggy]

Most muzzleloaders shoot better with a fouled barrel. I always foul my barrel of my rifle. 40 -50 grains cap or prime ignite the power in the barrel (DON"T LOAD A PROJECTILE BULLET ROUND BALL). the now fouled barrel should shoot to poit of aim.

[Varmint Hunter]

Assuming that you are correct in attributing the problem to a clean vs fouled barrel; I'd just switch to BlackHorn 209 powder. You can leave the bore fouled all season because it is non-corrosive. It also has the property of NOT attracting moisture like most of the other BP substitutes.

I'd test your theory a few more times because missing the paper @ 50 yards would indicate at least an 8 moa point of impact shift for a clean barrel and that just doesn't seem to be very likely to me.

[mechanic]

I agree with Varmint Hunter.  I switched to the Blackhorn, and haven't cleaned my barrel this season.  When I put it away later I will do so. 

Ben