Does removing all oil in a barrel reduce first shot variations?

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Everybody except Mark-Hunter is answering questions that weren't asked.

So, continuing in that vein, I think clean bore shots are most often caused by something other than bore preparation. Whether it is an uncleaned bore or a bore partially cleaned and then with the oil or powder solvent cleaned out with a patch or patches or a copper-solvent cleaned barrel. I suspect, but don't know, that spraying some non-gun related solvent like Oops, or Gum Out, or carburetor cleaner, or brake cleaner won't make a difference either. I guess I might try one of those but you have to be careful as they can remove the finish of things you don't want the finish to be removed on, like scopes or stocks.

The reason I don't think these are relevant is because I've had rifles that wouldn't move between sessions and ones that would -- most would -- all with the same routine.

Most of you are confusing cold bore shots with clean bore shots. I suspect that what is causing the first shot to be different is the cold bore shot. I've never found an answer to why that happens.

@postoak
If the problem is a cold bore and not oil wouldn't it make sense to sight on a cold bore. I don't shoot game with a warm or hot barrel so I want to know exactly where my first shot is going to be every time. If I get onto a big mob of pigs my barrel will get hot but still shoot where I want.

It's the first shot that counts not oiled, clean, dirty or hot so we owe it to ourselves and our game to make sure we know where that first shot is going. I've seen people sight rifles in with warm to hot barrels and have good groups. When they come and check before hunting the first shot is a flyer because they sighted in with a hot barrel. I never fire more than 3 shots and then let the barrel get cold and repeat then call it done. This gives a pretty close approximation of what to expect in the field.
Bob