Hunting Forum

after shooting my two BP rifles for a few years now, i find they don't shoot as accurate.i know it's because of the plastic sabots.what is the best solvent to get rid of the plastic fouling? thanks.

Diesel fuel works very well, and I would assume so would kerosene. Shooter's Choice solvent I find is also good for removing plastic fouling.

thanks shiloh,i can get that.

A good stiff copper brush and Hopes #9 works great. Then patch swab it dry. After that use TC Bore Butter, it will reduce the plastic fouling.

eagle ,i've been doing that and my groups of 1.5" at 100 yards are now at over 8.".that's using a 3 point shooting rest,clamped to the rifle.all i have to do is look thru the scope and pull the trigger.i use about 75 to 100 patches each time i clean each of 2 guns,every gun,every time.i even used a drill on my cleaning rod this last time,and my group gets worse.i.ve heard there is a product uot there that cleans the plastic fouling.

Have you checked your scope mounts or the scope? Used a drill on your cleaning rod, that'll chew up the rifling over time. The patch should follow the rifling when cleaning.

That's a good point to bring up . Had that happen with my in line last year and was convinced it was the scope . Upon removal I found a broken screw on the mounting rings .

is there a product that cleans the plastic from the barrel?

You might try Bore Bright,at least I think that's what it's called. It's cleans out metal fouling so it should clean plastic.It's been so long since I used it I'm not sure that's what it's called though.

What makes you feel you have an issue with plastic fouling? Just based on your accuracy problems or are you actually seeing the plastic build-up in the barrel. If the plastic fouling is actually a problem, then you'd also be having a problem loading the barrel even when it's cleaned of powder fouling. The material the sabots are made of is similar to the plastic wads in a shotgun shell. As a shotgun instructor for the Boy Scouts, I have fired literally thousands of rounds through my shotguns in a day's time and have never seen any evidence of plastic fouling in the barrels. I've used sabot bullets in my in-line muzzleloader for over ten years and have never seen any evidence of plastic fouling.
I again recommend that you check your sights.

If you want something to dessolve plastic residue, try some Acetone (finger nail polish remover) or lighter fluid for a cigarette lighter.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/clean_muz...loader.htm

thanks guys for all the advise.i'll look into all of it.i'llcheck the 2 scopes and mounts first.no i dont see plastic fouling i've been told at the range to check for the plastic from the sabot.and to clean it out,but the guys couldn't remember the product name,and they should shoot better.thats why i was asking.

Today's modern sabots are polymer plastic. Much more durable and made to with stand heat far better then the original sabots we saw years ago. I have shot hundreds of sabot loads through rifles and never once worried about plastic. Although I do clean the bore from time to time with brake cleaner (do not get this on your stock) and a good nylon brush. if accuracy starts to fall off, the first thing i look at is my scope, the mounts, the age of the powder I am shooting, and even look at your projectiles. Companies do change them slightly from time to time.

But then there is no harm in a good cleaning of the bore. But in all honestly.. I'd leave the drill in the shop. Not in my barrel. Its just too easy to do damage to the rifling, and all it would take is a slightly bent cleaning rod, or wire in a bent brush, and you start spinning that around and how many RPM.. you're looking for trouble.

I found it,it's J&B non-abrasive bore cleaning compound finished with J&B Bore Bright. I used it on my .223 Contender pistol barrel years ago and couldn't believe the black stuff that came out, even after I cleaned it the normal way.

thanks great white,i'll look for that stuff.thanks to all for the help.

i found the culprit.......old primers and old perodex pellets......fron now on i'll look at the manufacture dates.thanks to everyone that replied.

just to update you'll.........i bought a new box of pellets and primers.......things sure got expensive......once i zeroed the two rifles in i shot a half dozen more times and both shot a 3" group at 100 yards again.i guess i'll buy a new box of pellets and primers each year now instead of every 3 to 4.again thanks to everyone who replied.

I agree with granpops and originally you said you were shooting 1.5" groups and now said you were back to shooting 3" groups?  I really don't think it is the pellets and the primers either. 

Yes things have gotten expensive . I have an old can of bullseye powder that still has the price sticker on it . Ready? $5.35

just an update......broke out the smoke poles out last week and...loaded the .50....50 yds...shot 1"high half in.to the right.adj.windage,shot again...1'HIGH....went to 100 yds....half in. low. o.k. to me......shot .45.....50 yds....2.5 in. left,2 in. high.....adj. windage....shot 1 in. right,2in.high.....ran patch down barrel,adj windage....shot 2.5 high, center.....shot at 100 yds....1 in. high 1 in. left.all shots from sandbag rest.....just cleaned them again,like always,a week after i shoot and clean them....i'm happy with the results..all deer kills were between 30 and 75 yds......so that will do the job for me.thanks for the help and critisim,i needed both.