Fouling in 45

[Rich/WIS]

Recently purchased a very nice 45 flintlock, well balanced and accurate. Problem is fouling and subsequent shots. Clean barrel great, second shot noticeable but not too bad, third shot no go, need to tap ramrod hard with something to seat ball. A quick wet patch and a brush and then dry and back to normal. Two shots and repeat. Rifle is a Pedersoli that started out a 36 and was rebored to 45 with a 1:56 twist. Load is 70grs GOEX 3F with .440/.015 ball patch combo, and this is for deer hunting. Haven't tried light charges for casual shooting so not sure if the problem may be due to amount of powder being burned. Does the same with either pre-lubed bore butter patches or moose milk. Have had 10 ML rifles over the years and even the worst was good for a dozen shots before a wipe and brush was needed.

[pietro]

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It sounds like the re-bored barrel could stand a bit of lapping...….

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[rfd]

bounce the ramrod on the patched ball so that it breaks up the bp crud in the chamber area and seats the patched ball on compressed powder. don't be concerned that the bouncing will deform the ball, it won't to any great degree and not more than yer already doing "hammering" the ball home.

perhaps use a better patch lube, such as mutton tallow or gato feo, and make sure the patch is saturated well into the cloth weave. i use gato feo and heat gun it into patch strips. this is also good for loading a ball board.

be aware that your pedersoli has a patent breech (aka "ante chamber") and its flue is narrower than the gun's bore, and narrower more now that the bore was opened larger. that ante chamber can be a source of fouling issues, particularly if you wipe the bore as you'll wind up pushing that chamber crud into the ante chamber where ignition occurs. a .22 to .30 brush draped with a patch can get into that chamber for cleaning.

[Nobade]

I'd pull the breech plug and see what you have in there. And as mentioned, possibly pour a lead lap and have a go at it to smooth it up. You can see what if anything has been done to the breech plug, and see if it is fitted up properly.

[Rich/WIS]

Rifle was a percussion and was rebuilt as a flintlock. Breech plug was replaced with a flat face plug, new Chambers lock, and Davis triggers. Barrel and stock are original. Pulling the breech plug is not something I want to attempt. Was wondering if there might be some way to polish/lap barrel that would be within my skill levels. Was wondering if something like JB bore paste on a tight patch or some other product might work, or should I just shoot hell out of it and hope it improves,

[rfd]

run a dry and fairly tight patch down the bore with an appropriate sized jag. retrieve and exam the patch for any tears or cuts ....

* if so, the bore should be lapped with with some concoction like jb bore paste on a tight patch, some use fine steel wool and a bit of oil.

* if the patch has no indications of a rough barrel, the fouling is building up and is too hard ...
- moist breath by blowing down the barrel between shots will soften the bp residue - if yer squeamish about sticking yer head over the barrel, or that practice is not allowed at yer range, use a foot long piece of neoprene tubing.
- try a better, cleaner burning 3f powder such as swiss or goex olde eynsford
- try a different patch lube
- adjust parts of the load individually; powder charge, patch thickness, ball diameter
- lap the barrel anyway, can't hurt and will polish out the bore from accumulating bp residue

there is an answer to yer problem, that's for sure. good luck!

[waksupi]

For a rough bore, I get some valve grinding compound, saturate a patch, and shoot about ten grains behind the ball. Repeat about ten times, clean the bore and try it out. Repeat as necessary.

[rfd]

For a rough bore, I get some valve grinding compound, saturate a patch, and shoot about ten grains behind the ball. Repeat about ten times, clean the bore and try it out. Repeat as necessary.

now that sounds like just the ticket.

[Rich/WIS]

Will try JB on a patch, if no improvement will try some valve grinding compound, 000 steel wool on an old bore brush as a last resort.

[indian joe]

run a dry and fairly tight patch down the bore with an appropriate sized jag. retrieve and exam the patch for any tears or cuts ....

* if so, the bore should be lapped with with some concoction like jb bore paste on a tight patch, some use fine steel wool and a bit of oil.

* if the patch has no indications of a rough barrel, the fouling is building up and is too hard ...
- moist breath by blowing down the barrel between shots will soften the bp residue - if yer squeamish about sticking yer head over the barrel, or that practice is not allowed at yer range, use a foot long piece of neoprene tubing.
- try a better, cleaner burning 3f powder such as swiss or goex olde eynsford
- try a different patch lube
- adjust parts of the load individually; powder charge, patch thickness, ball diameter
- lap the barrel anyway, can't hurt and will polish out the bore from accumulating bp residue

there is an answer to yer problem, that's for sure. good luck!

Sounds like a lube problem
try a wet moose milk patch
If you decide to lap it . I use an old brass bristle brush and wrap it tight as can be with fine steel wool then soak it in Brasso (why brasso? its a mild polish and I had some)
When I am done I finish it with the same brush/steel wool and jewellers rouge (had some of that too ) clean it properly afterwards .