Got a .36 Le Page which I enjoy shooting very much. When clean and cold, it is relatively easy to load - the patched ball slides down smoothly and without undue force being required on the ramrod. By the time I'm on the second string of 13 shots, rather more force is required to the extent of needing to hammer the ramrod down with the heel of my hand.

Does this sound normal? Is this caused by fouling? Does the bore size shrink slightly as the barrel heats up?

Spec: .36 bore , .354 ball, 10 thou oiled patch, 11.5 gn swiss#1, rem#10 caps

- I've tried .350 ball with no discernable difference.

regards
Nigel