The last shot of the day ...

[faustus]

The last shot of the day ...

A couple of weeks back I went grouse hunting up north and the weather was pretty wet ... rain ... rain ... and more rain … and more rain.

So, after a day out in the rain I like to wipe the gun dry ... wipe it with an oiled rag and pass an oiled patch through the barrel before I put the gun away for the day ... and all that to prevent corrosion. But on some days I was just tooooo tired to get my cleaning rod and patches out ... etc. ..

So, I was wondering ... wouldn't it be nice and convenient ... at the end of the day ... if I could just load a cartridge ... and shoot an oiled piece of cloth through the barrel and into the air ... and in order to drive the water out and oil the inside of that barrel. That would be easy and effortless .... right? The last shot of the day ... !!

After doing some research and asking my friend Google, it seems that nothing like this exists on the commercial market. Hmmmmmm …..

And then I was thinking … how much would it take to push a piece of cloth trough a 12ga barrel. Probably not much …. right?

So I loaded a couple of "Last shot of the day!" rounds for my 12ga as an experiment.

The recipe goes like this:

1.) Fiocchi 12ga 2.75 with Fiocchi primer (and I guess you could use any hull/primer combination)
2.) X12X gas seal
3.) a piece of cotton cloth soaked in gun oil (I used Ballistol)
4.) Over shot card
5.) Fold crimp

And as you can see there is no powder in the recipe.
Just the primer .... yups …!!

I shot this load today .... and it made a not too loud "bloub" and the oiled cotten cloth came out of the barrel and landed around 8 meters (yards) in front of me. Then I checked the barrel .... and yes ... it was nicely oiled.

Proof of concept --> Success!!
I am happy ....

Just felt like sharing this ….

[Walla2]

I thought you were going to talk about a drink at the end of the day. LOL

[Rcmaveric]

I use a bore snake. Open the action and pull it through.

[longbow]

Similar to air gun cleaning pellets... little felt "pellet", a drop or two of oil then load up and shoot. No powder or primer for air guns but primers are non-corrosive and little residue so should be fine at least for removal of wet and short term protection.

[runfiverun]

they make a little felt thing for the shotguns too but they cost like 2.50 each.
I'm usually more concerned about the outside of my gun then inside the barrel other than the first and last couple of inches.

[faustus]

Similar to air gun cleaning pellets... little felt "pellet", a drop or two of oil then load up and shoot. No powder or primer for air guns but primers are non-corrosive and little residue so should be fine at least for removal of wet and short term protection.

Yes, this is for short term corrosion protection in wet weather when you are on that hunting trip and camping out in the field.

When I get home I thoroughly clean and oil my guns ....

[RED333]

I use a bore snake. Open the action and pull it through.

This is what I have been doing, I have 3 sizes now, still looking for all the ones I need. Makes cleaning so easy.

[megasupermagnum]

I also use a bore snake. Primers themselves can be corrosive, but a modern 209 should be ok. At least better than water. A nice tip for those who shoot inline muzzle loaders. If you are too lazy to shoot and clean your gun every day, which I am lazy, you can pull the breech plug out, dump the powder, and punch the bullet out (save for target shooting). Then a single pass with a bore snake, and you are ready for the next day.

[jimb16]

Actually, I just saw a bore cleaning shell on the market the other day. Sorry I didn't take any notes on it, but there is one out there.

[faustus]

Actually, I just saw a bore cleaning shell on the market the other day. Sorry I didn't take any notes on it, but there is one out there.

Well ... that is a teaser .... where is it?

[woody402]

Bore snake works great. A few passes and done.

[merlin101]

Actually, I just saw a bore cleaning shell on the market the other day. Sorry I didn't take any notes on it, but there is one out there.

I too saw them, they were in a small box of 5 like deer slugs come in but seemed to be about 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" long. Don't remember the price but they seemed a bit pricey.

[bikerbeans]

bb

[Apocalypse]

I'd love one of those for my cartridge collection. Anyone know if/how to get them in Canada? Walmarts around here don't even stock regular shot (or other!) gun stuff.

[jimb16]

Thanks BB. You found them. I think I saw the ad in field and Stream, but I'm not certain.

[faustus]

TAOFLEDERMAUS just tested them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzFGAkHoYKo

[RickinTN]

What happens when the oil from the oily rag contaminates the primer?

[Oklahoma Rebel]

what about a drop of paraffin on the opening of the primer? would that ruin it?

[faustus]

What happens when the oil from the oily rag contaminates the primer?

Yes, that happened to me with one round .... It did not go bang ...
So, I am trying to figure something out to seal the primer on my future "Last shot of the day" loads. Maybe a couple of drops of wax ... or a primer sealer ...? I will do more tests in the future.

And there is one other thing ... I loaded the oil cloth over an X12X gas seal ... well on one occasion that gas seal got stuck in the barrel ... and the oil cloth was still popping out.

Now, had I not noticed ... and shot another life round the next day ... well who knows what would have happened with an obstruction in the barrel ...

So, I am intending to load the next batch without a gas seal ... but I have to figure out how to seal the primer first ...

[Mr_Sheesh]

Could you put a tiny piece of sheet rubber or plastic sheet in front of the primer, so it's sort of swaged into place, sealing the primer, as you press the primer into place? (Might raise the pressure level somewhat and then reduce total power of the shell, but as the whole "powder" load IS the primer, should be fine)