Advantage's and Disadvantage's

[Bear Rider]

I use a flush adapter from the start, and drop the end of the hose in a small bucket containing hot soapy water. I dampen the first patch in the bucket, and it just pumps the hot water in and out.

The only disadvantage is that you need to do this outside, because you will get water above the patch, and if you raise the rod too far, too quickly, the gap around the bore protector makes a perfect fountain nozzle. (It was very difficult to act innocent when my wife finally noticed the marks on the kitchen ceiling-- "what marks?????")

 

[ryoung14]

The advantage of water cleaning is that water is cheap, plentiful, and very effective.

The disadvantage is that you get flash rust on the bore surface. A preservative soaked patch or two removes the flash rust and its formation doesn't appear to harm the barrel.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have heard of leaving the barrel in a running creek/stream to wash away the evil spirits though.

That only works if you insert a willow branch into the bore when you put it in the stream. Really. Vance Randolph told me so hisself. :wink:

 

[slippery50]

You know guys, one thing I don`t understand on here. You all seem to praise Dutch Shoultz & his advice on shooting BP firearms, but you down him on his proven method of waterless cleaning of the firearms.

 

[mooman76]

I don't think anyone is trying to down him. They just choose to use another method.

 

[dikman]

The only disadvantage is that you need to do this outside, because you will get water above the patch, and if you raise the rod too far, too quickly, the gap around the bore protector makes a perfect fountain nozzle.

Yup! This method was explained (shown) to me in my early days at the club. Unfortunately, no-one bothered to mention what happens if you pump too vigorously! First time I tried it I left little black pools everywhere!!!

Slippery, I don't think anyone is "downing" Dutch, his System is highly regarded, it's just that when it comes to cleaning some of us have difficulty getting a rifle cleaned (to our own satisfaction, at least) unless liberally flushed with water. I've tried cleaning without using water but I'm just not happy with the results.

And if you have some form of patent breech, well, there's another problem....

 

[Dr5x]

I found my allegedly "Waterless" method worked marvelously for me. 3 minutes at the range and all was finished.
If you have a barrel that is easily removable from the stock as for instance the Hawken with the hooked breech you can slosh it to your hearts content in Hot Soapy water. Its no problem.
What might be a problem is for folks with a long rifle with a pinned in barrel. To remove that barrel after a day of shooting is a bit of a chore and there is a good chance of
wearing out the attaching method with too frequentremoval and reinstallation..
My apparently highly controversial method with its limited use of water allows the cleaning of the pinned barrel with little or no risk of damaging the stock.
ANY method of cleaning that brings out clean wiping patches at cleaning time and also equally white wiping patches a few days later is an OK method.

If, on the other hand, you bring rust out a few days later the rust is a sign that somehow something is causing the steel to "Rot".

I don't think that's a good thing

Dutch

 

[Dr5x]

Slippery,
I don't feel that I am being downed when people prefer usingHot Soapy water.
Its just another way to achieve the same thing.

I liked mine because it was swift and so easy there is little chance that you would forget to do it.

I have received over the years many posts of folks who forgot to clean their rifles and discover all sorts of damage
in the form of pitting after severe cleaning sessions.

I have become puzzled at how little effect on accuracy is caused by pitting. Too late to do a study on that.

Dutch

 

[longcruise]

Shucks, if I don't have a good spray coming out around the bore guide I feel like its not getting the job done!

My preference is water cleaning but long ago abandoned hot water as well as soap.

 

[bpd303]

Here is my method for getting the fouling out. Pull the nipple, pump up the sprayer, press the handle & run the nozzle all the way to the breech, run several patches & repeat the flush, dry & run a patch with WD-40 then oil the bore. With the nipple out the water is forced through the flash channel getting it clean as a whistle. With the muzzle at an angle the water & crud pours out the end without getting any mess on the stock & lock.

It took me longer to type this than it does to clean a gun.

 

[Dan Leroy]

Great Idea I will try this my next clean up
Thanks.
Dan-L

 

[longcruise]

Going to try that. Great tip!

 

[AZbpBurner]

Slippery,
I don't feel that I am being downed when people prefer usingHot Soapy water.
Its just another way to achieve the same thing.

I liked mine because it was swift and so easy there is little chance that you would forget to do it.

I have received over the years many posts of folks who forgot to clean their rifles and discover all sorts of damage
in the form of pitting after severe cleaning sessions.

I have become puzzled at how little effect on accuracy is caused by pitting. Too late to do a study on that.

Dutch

I agree. I got a .54 cal Cabelas / Investarms rifle at a gunshow. For the price, I intended to either use it as parts for another project,install a new barrel, or get it bored out to make a smoothbore. There is an enormous pit in the bore about 3/4" down from the muzzle, but the rest of the bore looks shiney new.

Before dismantling it, I decided to give it a trip to the range. Using a tight enough patch that I use a mallet instead of pounding on it with the palm of my hand to get the short starter going, I'm getting one ragged hole at 75 yards.

I decided to not screw it up with a new barrel, or any other work on it except for cleaning and oiling the stock.

 

[dikman]

Nice one, bpd, that's given me something to think about (making, that is :thumbsup: ).

 

[Okie Hog]

Sir,

i also use a "waterless" method of cleaning my muzzleoaders. It's different from yours but it works.

Years ago i got onto a method used by Mike Venturino and some CAS guys. Used that method with my antique Winchesters for many years. i've modified it a little for my muzzleloaders.

Before leaving the range i swab the barrel with a patch wetted with Windex Multi-Surface. That product contains a small percentage of vinegar. Sometimes it fizzes as it dissolves the blackpowder residue. It also dissolves the residue left by the BP subsitutes.

At home the bore is swabbed with dry patches. Then the bore is swabbed with a patch moistened with Hoppe's #9 followed by dry patches.

If the gun is to be fired soon the bore is not oiled. If the gun will be put away for awhile the bore gets swabbed with a patch moistened with Militec.

 

[Dr5x]

Regardless of what system you use, if a few days or a week later you DO NOT pull black BP residue or orange rust out of the bore that is a good system so stick with it.

Dutch