I noticed an interesting thing at the range yesterday. I was trying some loads in my 338 and went through the following procedure. First, I fired two fouling rounds into the dirt bank. Next I fired a 3 shot group with R19 then a 3 shot group with H450. Both groups were in the 4.5-5" range...evenly dispersed. At this point I have fired 8 shots. The next two 3 shot groups (identical rounds of R19 and H450) were 1.25". Now I typically do a very thorough job of cleaning rifle barrels and realize that some barrels shoot better "dirty" thus the fouling shots but 8 shots seems to be a little excessive. I am going to load a few more rounds and return to the range without having cleaned the barrel as a sort of control test. Any of you out there have rifles that like a well fouled barrel before they begin to shoot? Is there any such thing as over cleaning?

I don't think that's abnormal. I've got a .300 Wby Sako and it starts shooting its very best after about 12 rounds.

Mike -- All my rifles have their own history. Some shoot best after 3-5 fouling shots, some take 10-12 fouling shots. I find the moly coated bullets require more fouling shots before maximum accuracy. I have two that requires only one fouling shot, after that it will shoot accurately for 30 rounds, before it tapers off. I think your rifle just told you what it's personality is. Congratulations, some people don't shoot their rifles enough to know, they are like women, you have to be around them a lot to get to know them. Good shooting.

[ 05-21-2003, 20:46: Message edited by: phurley ]

You know what, I saw some rifles do that. But finally got a pss rebarreled with a krieger barrel, and no or little fouling, shoots great on the second round. Very even pressures during the duration of firing. Also, I thought my bore was too large or something or over specs. While cleaning, I didn't have to push with all my might to get the jag down it the first time or so. But actaully, it builds pressures faster. Down side is the cost to rebarrel cost me 500 dollars. Thats the price of a gun.