Why?

[howard NZ]

How is it that these rifles seem to need a fouling shot to a clean cold barrel to get them on target for a group?I hadn't had this with my other rifles that I have noticed. Seen on the forum that I am not the only one who has his first shot print 2-3" away from the first group, is there a permenent solution other than firing a shot before starting a hunt, which in some cases is awkward as the hunting zone is not far away from the arrival point and I have no desire to anounce my arrival.
Your thoughts gentleman,
regards Howard.

[quickdtoo]

Many, many hunters check their rifle's zero or sight in just before the season, then never clean for the entire season unless foul weather dictates the need for a good cleaning......

[R.W.Dale]

ALL of my rifles need a fouling shot or two before sighting in. Sometimes when chronographing loads the first two shots from a clean oily bore can be as much as 200 fps slower than from a fouled one therefore I never hunt with a clean gun.

[DanielWGriggs]

Quick I do believe it was you said the only shot that counts is the first. I do most of my rifle shooting at the range and I fire fouling shots (3) I then wait for the barrel to cool about 15 minutes. I then get to serious group testing. before hunting I go to the range and fire the 3 fouling shots I also like to check things before I hunt so I fire one shot at 100yds lazered to ensure things are just right. I hike a long way back into the timber so the shot won't disturb where I will be hunting. If the area was close to where I park I wouldn't fire the check shot but I would dry patch the bore after the 3 fouling shots just as I do at the range. removes some of the things burnt powder and such that attract moisture.

[JPH45]

It's weird, my 38-55 will put every shot to POA regardless of velocity (sighted for that velocity of course), but my 357 Max always thorws out the first shot at low velocity, but doesn't at full velocity. My 44 and 45-70 were like the 38-55.

[myarmor]

Same here. I can't start a group without a few foulers. The mystery remains.

[cheatermk3]

It could be that a clean barrel vibrates different than after it has been fouled.  

It doesn't really matter why, just gotta know your rifle good enough to know where it's gonna shoot when you need the shot to go where ya wants it to.

[quickdtoo]

For hunting accuracy out to 100yds or so or less where most shots are taken, a couple inches isn't gonna make much difference on a deer or elk size critter. But it sure is a confidence builder if you know that first bullet will hit exactly 3" high at 100yds...or wherever your zero is. :wink:

[hellacatcher]

Some of mine do better with a dirty barrel some want it clean.

[Mac11700]

All steel barrels have microscopic pores that pick up carbon,lead,& copper...and fill up making the barrel smoother than freshly cleaned one...the smoother the steel...the better the bullet seals the bore..the less resistance...hense the slower velocities you guys are seeing by shooting it clean...Hand lapping reduces a-lot of the pits and gouges...not all of the really deep ones though...Some of the better barrels have less pits and abrasions to start...firing hard jacketed bullets down a rough bore only enlarges these pits...and depending on the amount of obtrusions within the steels composition...some barrels will never smooth out completely...and which is why is is better to hand lap a real new barrel...than waiting and shooting it in...and why most high quality barrels that you have made are hand lapped before you ever get them...

The more time you spend on prepping your barrels(ie...handlapping and polishing ).... before shooting them...the better they will shoot from then on......clean...or fouled..

Mac