I have a TC hawkins 45 cal that I haven't shot in a couple of years. I took it out to get ready for muzzle loading season yesterday and couldn't get it to group at all. Rifle was rust free in bore and was stored properly. in fact I've owned the rifle since 1976 and shot many thousands of rounds thur. I used to use my own lead balls which was made with very good lead almost pure very soft. Couldn't find my old stuff so I used so hornady round balls I had. I suspect may be the barrel is leaded.any suggestions on how to tell. on a hunch I've run some hoppe #9 and I'm getting some color even after a good hot water cleaning. Thanks Bruce

Sure shouldn't be any leading with balls because the patch prevents the lead from touching the barrel.

bbruce, If you are getting color from Hoppes #9 it ain't lead thats doing it. The only thing that will show a green color on the patch is copper. You must have shot some jacketed bullets somewhere along the line. Jim

Leading can occur when a patch is blown. I saw this happen to a friend's rifle the other day: All of a sudden it began shooting erratically. The first thing he did was to look for the patches and sure enough, one was completely blown (and it was expensive teflon-coated too!). As he's a competetive target shooter, he stopped and took the rifle home to clean it. He uses Ed's Red (home-made) on cut up squares of Scotchbrite, but I suggested he switch to bronze wool or Chore Boy on a jag (wet or dry). These will also work with Kroil if you don't want to make your own Ed's Red. Hope this helps, ...Maven

Scroll down this webpage around 15-20% Let it soak for a half-hour. Then alternate this solvent with an oil patch until clean.



Birchwood-Casey Bore Scrubber Two In One Bore Cleaner



Another one I like is this one below.



Butch's Bore Shine

you might go to a lead conical and see if they work better for you. i had an older traditions in an old inline style and used it like you and when i went to the leaded conical or leaded sabot i got better groups than ith a maxi ball or ball and cap style of shooting
rob k

Try micing the Hornady RB's. I have found that over the years that manufacturers change their products a bit and what worked best then won't work worth a darn now. Are your useing the same patch thicknesses,the same diameter of RB,has the powder changed or are you useing a different brand? Derf