Quote<<A smaller bore will be effected by fouling more than a larger bore. Assumption is that the thickness of fouling is the same on a 54 cal as a 36 cal gun, the diameter of the 36 cal gun is reduced by a higher percent. But, this should not effect accuracy! Only the difficulty you are having loading.
Since this is an older gun, I suspect some other factors are coming into play. I assume you have a range rod for loading and cleaning - if not get one (with a bore guide). With the gun clean, put two well oiled cleaning patches on the jag and force it down the bore. It will start real hard, but should go smooth with some pressure after you get past the first few inches. You are going to slowly more this up and down a few times and by feel try to determine if you have any rough spots or loose spots. At some point in the life of this old barrel, it may not have been properly cleaned or stored. If you have a loose spot where the tight rod moves with little effort, then the barrel is excessivley worn or bulged and needs to be replaced. If their are tight spots, I have a remedie. Let us know what you find with this test.
You can do this with a regular ram rod, but I am lot liable if it breaks and you have to visit the emergency room. >>
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I think my problem is some poor cleaning in the past. There is some pitting in the barrel about half way down. I’ve done some heavy scouring with steel wool, and I think that’s about as good as I’m going to get it. But when I take it to the range, invariably, the first shot is right on target at 50 yards, which isn't bad for this old smoke tube. But from then on, until I swab the bore pretty good, the shots are all over the place. No consistency whatsoever.
I think, next time I’m out, I’m going to try cleaning the bore pretty thoroughly between each shot and see just how much the fouling is effecting the accuracy.
Loading isn’t that much of a problem, although getting past the heavily pitted area in the bore is a little more difficult than at either end.
By the way, I always use a metal ram rod. I'm not looking for any ER scenes.