BPS Patterns Worse When Clean

[bowpro]

I have a BPS Stalker 26" barrel with IC .665. Shooting 3" LB #5 I average around 170 in 10" circle at 40 yards of I just shoot it and don't worry about how clean it is. When clean I average about 130.  Is that a common occurance?  By clean I mean I have cleaned the barrel well and the run bore snake every shot.

[Twowithone]

That occurance has been out there a long time. Some rifles/shotguns/muzzleloaders shoot better when dirty and some shoot better when clean you the shooter will know the difference if it s that way. On a muzzleloader if you don't clean that barrel by the 5th shot your using a sledge hammer trying to get that prb home. So just do it the way that gives you the best results.

[SumToy]

now this comes into play in the target world.  Try it will junk shells see if same happens at say 50 to 60 feet.  If same thing happens try cleaning just barrel or just choke.  I got a idea what problem is but not 100% on it. 

[bowpro]

I cleaned both barrel and choke.  What is your idea that it is?  You've peaked my interest.

[Gooserbat]

My 870 dose best after about 5 shots then after say 10-12 it starts to open up a bit.

[dirt road ninja]

Don't put much thought in it. Shoot it where she stays happy. 170s with a 3 inch number five is impressive.

[SumToy]

I will P.M. you.   

[Gobble!]

I will P.M. you.   

man... i was interested in hearing how a dirty barrel can do better than a clean barrel too.

[SumToy]

It more to do with choke then barrel.   

[allaboutshooting]

I have a BPS Stalker 26" barrel with IC .665. Shooting 3" LB #5 I average around 170 in 10" circle at 40 yards of I just shoot it and don't worry about how clean it is. When clean I average about 130.  Is that a common occurance?  By clean I mean I have cleaned the barrel well and the run bore snake every shot.

You have done the work necessary to see how your individual gun patterns best. I always recommend starting with a "squeaky clean" bore, shoot without cleaning betweens shots, looking at each one (carefully numbering them is a good idea) and shoot until the pattern really degrades. That's really the only way you can determine what your particular combination of shell/choke/barrel likes.

I have some guns that will only pattern well when they are very clean. Some that like a little fouling and some that like a very dirty barrel. I only found that out by using the process that I've recommended.

We see that very same thing in competition.

It sounds like you know what yours likes.

Thanks,
Clark

[Ihuntoldschool]

Pretty common I would say, most of the time card shooters won't clean between shots. Has to do with velocity, as the bore fouls the friction in the bore will lower the velocity and tighten patterns.

Having said that, I agree with Clark it varies from gun to gun. Some guns shoot better squeaky clean, others shoot better fouled.

[Snoodsniper]

My BPS patterns very well with a clean bore. It doesn't change much after 5-10 rounds either. Beyond that I'm not sure. I usually clean it after shooting. I shoot a non-ported choke with a ported barrel. So I guess that could make a difference.

[stinkpickle]

Were the ports getting plugged up?

[bowpro]

No