Poll: Cleaning between powder changes

[Growler215]

Cleaning barrel between powder changes?

After reading a thread on accurateshooter.com, I'm curious what the MDS concensus is (or if there is one.)

]https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/load-development-question.3935808/#post-37069135

Some folks said it was important, some said just a wet-then-dry patch to remove unburnt powder residue, some said only when switching between ball and stick, some said only when switching between powder manufacturers, and some said no, are you crazy?

Part of what is sparking my curiosity is I'm doing some subsonic load development for a few sbrs in different calibers. Since there isn't much room for charge weight tweaking once you've found the charge weight that gets you the velocity you want when loading subsonic rounds, I'm trying out 6 different powders (3 ball, 3 extruded) to see which is most accurate (and has small SD) for different heavy-for-caliber bullets.

I did something similar for my (18" length) .450 Bushmaster with 395 gr Sub-X bullets.
I found what seemed to be a clear "winner" there doing a shoot-off, but I was not doing any cleaning between powders. So the powders tested after the "winner" might have done better with a cleaner barrel.

450 Bushmaster Subsonic Load Data

I have been unsuccessful at finding any load data in the forums or in my current load books about subsonic loads for the 450 bushmaster. Specifically, a 395 grain sub-x projectile from Hornady. Based on the factory sub-x round I took apart it looks like roughly 19-20 grains of mystery powder...

www.mdshooters.com

 

[gungate]

If you are doing precision testing developing an optimal load, cleaning between tests I think is a good thing. Probably not for your reasons, but just to have a known baseline.

 

[ThirtyOught Six]

Yes, I do when trying new loads with different powders seeking the best accuracy.
Different powders will leave different fouling, so will different manufacturer's bullets for that matter.

 

[Tracker12]

I find most of my guns shoot better with a fouled barrel. I have gone to the range and shot several different loads while experimenting and have not found an advantage to cleaning.

 

[Archeryrob]

 

[Harrys]

Nope

 

[outrider58]

I can't see the practicality in it. No

 

[lazarus]

I understand the idea behind it. But no. I don't when switching between different commercial manufacturer's loads, why would I or my own? If there is any impact, it is too tiny to notice for me.

 

[sxs]

When working up loads, I have usually experimented with one powder/bullet type and weight/ primer type at a time. I will mostly vary the powder charge weights. If I am unhappy with the results, I will play with a different powder at a different time. So, I generally will clean between powder types since I most often clean between shooting sessions.

Never really did the cleaning between sessions with differing powders intentionally as suggested in the beginning post. And, I concur that most of my best groups with a given load come from a previously fouled barrel. So not sure I would if I did change powder types in one shooting session. I guess I could do what I do when checking a sight in starting with a clean barrel - take into consideration that the first shot or 2 might be affected with groups settling in after the bore is fouled