I was out shooting my Zouave 58 cal today , i founds that loading the first four rounds was relatively easy and they popped right in and down the barrel . After that they got progressively harder to load and push down the barrel !! Was i doing something wrong or was the barrel so fouled that the bullets would not go dow easily like before . If it was fouling how did the soldiers in the field deal with it during a firefight when they had to reload fast ??? Do i need to clean the barrel every few shots ?? I am looking for suggestions
I made up period style paper cartridges using the lube recipe from the ordnance manuals of the 1850s and 1860s, 1:3 tallow/beeswax. I used the RCBS 500M bullet, which is similar to a period expanding ball. I used Goex powder.
I was able to shoot these bullets pretty much
indefinitely without cleaning. I probably shot 20 rounds or so as a test without cleaning.
Some powders are dirtier than others. I find Shuetzen to be
much dirtier than Goex. When I was trying to use the Moose Wilkinson bullet I could only load 2-3 shots with Shuetzen before the fouling made loading impossible. But the Wilkinson bullet has only one tiny lube ring.
With a properly lubricated bullet you should be able to get off at least 10 rounds without having to clean.
In the N-SSA, most people clean after each course of fire (5-10 rounds or so). I use Ballistol with patches and a cleaning rod. I used to use the above-mentioned "3-in-1 solution of Murphy's Oil Soap, hydrogen peroxide and denatured alcohol", but learned that hydrogen peroxide will damage wood. Ballistol is a fantastic black powder cleaner and is good for the wood.
I have heard the stories of CW soldiers peeing down the barrel and also turning the guns upside-down and using the ground/rock to push the ramrod home.
Steve