Hello, everyone.  I was finally able to take the .25-25 Stevens Ballard No. 3 out.  Very nice day, low humidity, light wind, 80 deg.  I had fixed ammo only for first try.   Using both Swiss 1 1/2 & FFFG.  This rifle has a distinct like for the FFFG.  Starting loads were 20gr. with C.O.W. filler, under a 98gr. Ideal 257250 cast 20-1 with SPG lube.  Primers were Federal 100 pistol.  The FFFG load shot a bit under an inch.  When I got up to the 28gr. loads, it started to group in the 7/8 to 3/4" range..but with pesky fliers.  I ran a dry patch thru after 3 shots, and got a crusty fouling on patch.  The lube star at muzzle was soft and greasy.   I used Butch's Black Powder Bore Shine for a solvent..this stuff works good..3-4 wet patches cleanrd up bore.  I was feeling some resistance about mid-way thru bore & saw tiny lead flakes on patch.  Not having any brushes, I used J-B compound on a tight patch & stroked bore, flushed out with Bore Shine.  I was puzzled why patch was going in tight at breech, since they were not showing any fouling or discoloration.  Took a peek inside...there was a 1/4" wide patch of black..looked to be baked on fouling right at chamber end/leade..I used the J-B again & got it out.  Other than this baked on fouling, the shooting of black powder wasn't all that bad.  Cases were de-primed as soon as fired & dropped in soapy water..they cleaned up really well at home.
 What are your opinions of using a bronze bore brush in an antique barrel?  I have stiff nylon .25 brushes (Sinclair)..I left them at home.  Would twisting that nylon brush in chamber/leade after every shot prevent the fouling from baking on?
   My next project will be du-plexing..probably with 4759.  I wonder if this will help?
  I was quite suprised by the noise and recoil of this little cartridge.
Since it is a cast action, I wanted to at least start with black, but may try straight amokeless loads if I can't overcome fouling problem.

Did you use a blow tube to control fouling between shoots?
SPG is a good lube, but not good enough to use with BP and not blow tube or use some other fouling control method.

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

Thanks frnkeore..that info sure helps alot!