Bore swabbing between shots

[Mr. 16 gauge]

My experience is that I can probably get 1-2 more shots w/o swabbing the barrel of my Hawken, but that's it.....and the successive shots each go down a little 'harder' that the previous one. I have never liked BP substitutes......the only one I used extensively was pyrodex, and it took 3 caps to set off a charge one season (the last one being a seriously long hang fire).
....and to be honest, when using pyrodex in a traditional BP rifle, I've had the same problem with fouling! Successive shots go down the barrel harder than the first.
One little trick I use while hunting is to use a slightly thinner patch (.010 instead of .015) for successive shots....it goes down without to much force and I'm ready quickly to dispatch a wounded critter, if needs be.
Others here are more experienced than me, but I've heard that as time goes on and more and more shots get fired, the gun becomes 'seasoned', and successive shots aren't as difficult to put down the barrel.

According to Fadala in his Black Powder Handbood, I should be able to reload without cleaning between shots after using the "butter".

I've heard this as well, both in Fadala's book and from salesmen......not from an practical source, such as shooters. I will say that the bore butter works better for successive shots that the tallow product I was using previously.
Good luck!

[MtnMike2]

Thanks Mr 16 Gauge. Good idea on the patches. I'm currently using .015" patches with .530" round ball.

BTW, I was thinking of trying .535" balls with .010" patches and comparing the accuracy (but with iron sights might not be obvious). Can anyone tell a difference?

Mike