Some questions re: RST Loads
 

After shooting skeet this past weekend and while cleaning my 20 ga repro, it seemed to me the barrels had heavy fouling. I was shooting RST 20 ga 2 3/4" Lite 7/8 oz loads at 1100, #8 shot . Are these loads prone to heavy fouling? Powder residue seemed to be more than I'd expect. Do they make another load less prone to heavy fouling - burns cleaner? Any thoughts, recommendations? Went through quite a few cleaning patches before the barrels were cleaned. Do they use a slower burning powder on their 'Lite' loads which results in greater fowling than not? Just a thought.

Also, I haven't been yet to an event where RST sets up their tent so I've purchased a couple of cases via their web. Are their prices any better at these shooting venues? Any special deals on prices at the various events they attend?

I too have noticed this with RST loads and the word I have gotten from others is that RST factory ammo does burn dirty. A lot of residue and some unburned powder.

I have only shot their 2.5" lites and experienced the same thing. I reload them with the same wad they use and international clays powder. my hand loads burn pretty clean.

Brian, there must be other loads out there from other manufacturers that burn better. While I do enjoy cleaning my doubles, I don't plan to make it a half day event!

I am sure there is.
I noticed dirty burning RST loads most in a 12g 32" lifter of mine that has been honed some. They were filthy after shooting a box through it.

I pushed a half dozen swabs with cleaner though the barrels and the swabs were virtually totally black with powder residue. More than I've noticed before. I had to spray the interior of each barrel and let them sit for a couple of minutes in order to finally remove this stuff.

Different types of powder leave different amounts of residue. RST selects their powders for reliable ignition in cold weather while still retaining almost unheard of low pressures. I don't think any other shell manufacturer loads shells with the low pressures of the RST shells. The exact pressure level is available with a phone call. Residue is not a direct result of incomplete ignition, more likely just the type of powder being used and the material used to coat the powder itself. The exact pressure will not be printed on the box because of changing figures for individual lots. I would push a Tornado brush through the bore before final cleaning with solvent and patch. In my opinion, no other maker of shotshells is making a low pressure shell that will pass the freezer test that I gave the lowest pressure RST shells several years ago. Personally, I will not be looking for another brand of shell because of powder fouling of the RST shells.

You don't need to shoot Lites in a repro. AA is fine for that gun, and you'll spend less. RST loads really aren't dirtier, it's as Bill says, the burned powder coating. The barrels will get looking fouled after the first shots, and no dirtier after that. I am not about to switch brands and find cleaning a breeze with a Tico stick; takes 2-3 in-outs

Allen,

I use RST shells in the couple of Twist barrel guns I have but for your new 20 reproduction there are tons of shells that will work perfectly fine in the gun and most likely cheaper as well. I love RST but look at them for a niche product for my guns. Obviously I am not trying to control what you shoot in your guns but am simply suggesting the normal Remington, Winchester or Federal loads would burn cleaner and be cheaper to shoot. For years I have used one of the cleaning rod length Tico Tool hairy type cleaner and oiler and love them. I will never go back to a normal cleaning rod with patches unless I want the bristle brush function. The Tico procuct is easy to use and washable. Just suggestions. Other than that how did the new gun shoot?

Dennis

RST will be at the Vintagers. The tent price is the same as the web price (minus the shipping)

I shoot RST ammo almost exclusively and use a bore snake to clean all of my Parkers' bores. the bore snakes have the brass bristles as well as a full-length swab.

As Edgar says, RST prices are the same whether you order on the internet or face to face. Face to face, you get to look at some neat stuff up close. When I can see the product, I always fall for the paper shells.

I think I'll bite the bullet and buy a tico. Thanks to all. By the way, I had the RST's on hand from a purchase last year. So I used them this past weekend. Shooting this 20 ga repro was a joy.

I have zero problem cleaning RST fouling. It is really a non-problem. I have used a 50/50 mix of Hoppe's #9 and Kroil for every thing- light low pres loads in Parkers, High Power Service Rifle competitions, and 3 1/2 in 12 ga through goose guns. Get the bore good and wet (really wet), let it sit for an hour or two and clean normally. It takes all the powder fouling and all the plastic wads residue. Lightly coat the bore with your favorite product and you are in business. It is that simple- don't make it a problem.

Bite the bullet? They're cheaper than dirt.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/724...od-20-gauge-35

I'll bite the dirt then...Bean's sells them as does Kittery. They're fair traded and depending on gauge run between $14-$16 and change. I'll pick one up.

Pick up one for each gauge. The 12 is tight in the 16, impossible to get through a 20. The shaft is, or used to be made with a wooden dowel, and I snapped one in half trying to push it through the wrong gun. They claim they are washable, but at nearly 3' long, I find it difficult to get them into the washing machine.

Edgar,

They don't fit in my washing machine either but I have found they do fit rather well in my shower. When they are dirty I take them in the shower with me. I use Dawn dishwashing soap (on the cleaning rods) and make sure they are rinsed well. Obviously I let them thoroughly dry before using them again in a bore. For me it is quick and easy.

Dennis

Most of the guns I have owned over the past 40 years were/are antiques. I discovered that factory loads, and most of my handloads, left quite a bit of residue in the bores and chambers. I just figured that, in order to keep pressures down to original specs, the smokeless powders developed left residue. It is a simple way to look at it, but it seems to be true in my experience.

Edgar and Dennis, I think I came across a web site the other day that has 2 piece Tico Tools. Maybe it was Midway.

How did we go from a discussion about RST loads (are they clean or not) to taking a shower with your favorite cleaning rod!!!!

What kind of a forum is this???? lol

Any fouling you might find in a modern shell is nothing compared to using black powder. My reloads are all low pressure but I don't encounter any massive cleaning delima's.

yep black powder is a pain and the black porer substitute aint much better...best bore cleaner or brush i would call it was given to me many years ago..it looks like a bottle brush for sure kinda looks like a christmas tree in away its made of nylon bristles thatstarts little at the top and goes to about 1 1/2 inches at the big end....only thing the rods not long enough for a long barrel you have to run the brush thru both ends...this thing will clean from the 8 ga down to 20 ga with out a lot of effort and believe me smokless loads are a cynch toclean...its the only brush like it i ve ever seen...i dont think it was built to clean gun barrels but its the best bore cleaner ive ever seen..it might even fit a 410 but ive never tried it...someday i might take a picture of it if anybodys interested in seeing it.... charlie

Question about tico sticks? What do you use to clean them up, after they get fouled after multiple cleanings?

Apparently some folks take them in the shower with them:eek:

My thread has been hijacked. This is becoming like Facebook! Eeegads!

Allen,
With hopes your great thread won't get even more fouled/fowled up (since this is a mostly bird hunting group) please let me suggest the one piece Tico cleaning rods. I believe the two piece rods hook together with small loop type hooks. I don't think they screw together like a 3 piece cleaning rod. I think you will find it very inconvenient using it that way. I like the one piece a lot and think it is well worth the price. I have owned my 12 gauge model since the late 70's as I recall and love it. Now I want one for a 10 gauge. Maybe the Tico company would make up a couple in 8 gauge for Charlie Cleveland. That size would also be useful in cleaning up the Holland Tunnel.

Good luck with the thread.

Dennis

I used a gun care/cleaning product called G96 on the Repro. Just sprayed the interior of both barrels and let them sit for a bit. Then ran a bronze brush through each barrel and then the patches. All the crud/powder residue came out leaving the barrels clean. No big deal really. As I was trying to say in the beginning of this post, I was just surprised at the amount of powder residue remaining in the barrels from the RST loads I had used last Sunday on skeet. I only have used G96 on the inside of very fouled barrels, I don't use this product on any exterior surfaces as it may be to hard on surface finishes. I recall years ago, a drop of this stuff got on the outside of a double I had at the time and when I wiped it off, it left a 'spot' on the barrel, seemed to lighten the blued finish. So I only use it carefully on cleaning interior barrel surfaces. But it does clean and it is very good on my blackpowder rifle when needed.

thanks dennis for putting in a good word for me...i ll be first on block to have a ticko in 8 ga...charlie

Be real nice if they made a one size fits all. Iam getting tired of buying cleaning jags and brushes. Maby something you could air up.

Just had a thought Charlie. How about a string mop and bucket for your old 8ga.

Charlie,
With Wayne and me looking out for you I think you are doing great on life's path. I like the mop and bucket idea but it would be messier than the Tico in 8 gauge.

Good shooting to you,
Dennis

Charlie will appreciate this. When I left my Uncle Sam's employ in 1969, I appropriated a military grade mop head because I was so skilled in their use from so much experience and feared I wouldn't be able to find one on the civilian market. Last year, I finally gave it away, unused.

bill thats a good one..i m still smiling on that one i think this will stay with me for awhile thinking about that mop head... charlie

Brian,
I have about 500 once shot RST 20 ga hulls (I did the once shooting myself). Need to reload them. What is your load for these RST 20 hulls? Brand of powder? primer? oz of shot? wad? etc
Gerald