Fouling Shot ?

[ElmerThud]

Hi Folks, do any of you have to fire a 'Fouling Shot' through your clean dry barrels before shooting targets for groups or going hunting?
I notice with a certain load while the zero group is OK/good at 1/2" MOA, the first shot through a clean dry barrel is always at least 1/2" higher than zero & 1/4" right.
The subsequent shots are all bang on zero.

While this is not a dramatic difference & would still kill my quarry, try as I have, I can't get rid of the problem....other than not to shoot the load. Trouble is, despite all the years of reloading I have behind me, I haven't paid much attention to this particular problem!
Any thoughts? :?

 

[DrMike]

Whilst I prefer a rifle that hits to the same point of impact with a clean barrel as with a fouled barrel, the fact remains that a fouling shot is required for many barrels. I try to make note of such phenomena when working up a load. If the shift in POI is dramatic, I'll carry a rifle afield that has been fouled with one or several shots depending upon what the firearm requires to give consistent results.

 

[JD338]

I always shoot a couple shots to season the bore.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

As do I.

 

[onesonek]

I'm in the same camp as JD338, and then too, I never clean the bore until accuracy falls off. When that is, depends on the firearms main use. For big game, it is when it falls off 1/4 moa. For varminters, I clean when accuracy is .1-.2 greater. Round count also varies, some I can go 400+ rounds in between cleanings, other as low a 75-100 rounds.

 

[Guest]

I agree with Jim, My 300 Ultra takes 2-3 fouling shots before it returns to sight in position. Before the hunt I clean it, follow up with foul shots, check the zero and head off to hunt.

Don