Got introduced to muzzelloading this past summer. Bought a used CVA then decided to buy my first new gun. While I like the new Thompson Hawken's style I have had nothing but trouble. The ball hung up in several places while trying to load then the shots were all over the place. Then out of the blue it started shooting a pattern about the size of a coffee cup at 100 yards. I called Thompson and theywanted the gun back but now I have seconds thoughts Any ideas on why the ball hung up and shots were all over the map and should I keep the gun or send it back.
I've got a houseful of TC Hawkens, been shooting them for years and I doubt seriously there's any problem with the barrel...as evidenced by the fact that you began to shoot it well...really a lot to learn and read up on before even going to the range.
In all probability it was fouling that caused the problem...different times of year have different humidity and lower humidity can show up problems like that fast as even a little fouling dries out almost immediately, making it difficult to seat a patched ball...and the amount and type of lube being used may have to change throughout the year as the humidity gets lower, etc.
A good practice while you're still climbing up the learning curve (like we all had to) is to get into a routine of wiping the bore clean between every shot...so you know the condition of the bore is clean, and the same for every shot...your accuracy will then be at it's best, and importantly, consistent from shot to shot.
One of the best cleaning/lubing solutions for times of year when humidity is low is "Hoppes No.9 BP Plus solvent & patch lube".
The rest of the year, just natural lube 1000 on shooting patches is enough to shoot whole range sessions without wiping between shots at all.
(I'm sure there are others but these two I can speak to personally)
