AFRIADY CAT?

[Grenadier1758]

In @flashpoint's original post, he comments on having a very tight bore when inserting his brass brush down a barrel that is only identified as a 45 caliber Kentucky. My speculation is that the bore may be closer to 44 caliber than 45 and a 40 caliber brush or a 40 caliber jag with a thick patch would work better. Of course he could put the jag in his drill and file the diameter of the jag back to slide down the bore easier.

 

[Carbon 6]

In @flashpoint's original post, he comments on having a very tight bore when inserting his brass brush down a barrel that is only identified as a 45 caliber Kentucky. My speculation is that the bore may be closer to 44 caliber than 45 and a 40 caliber brush or a 40 caliber jag with a thick patch would work better. Of course he could put the jag in his drill and file the diameter of the jag back to slide down the bore easier.

In my experience, all 45 brushes fit tight even nylon ones, because they are intended for cartridge guns, especially rifle brushes. Cartridge rifle bores are .458 muzzleloaders run closer to .450. Try using a pistol brush, they are slightly smaller and shorter.
However, it is my recommendation to just avoid using a brush on a muzzleloader altogether.

 

[LME]

They shouldn't be. I'd question the type of jag you are using.

Eventually, you will stick a brush or have one break off. I too avoid brushes like the plague.
Instead if i have something that needs brushing, I cut a small piece of copper chore boy and shape it into a small patch. I then run that down the barrel. it removes fouling, lead, etc. better than a brush IMO.

Just make sure you use a tapered shank jag with steel threads.

View attachment 55076

I see where you are coming from. I do not use a brush either and can't figure out why you would need one? A loose patch will rid the bore of loose fragments of carbon and soap and water will complete the job of cleaning a barrel. I see no reason to reinvent the wheel? I don't even use a brush on modern rifles unless the bore is already on its last legs. I also don't use cleaning fluid for modern rifles that are highly caustic . When you have a pet rifle the last thing you want to do is ruin the bore? As mentioned the steel shanked jags will save you the agony of trying to remove a broken off jag from a rifle. "Been there done that"!

 

[flashpoint]

I see where you are coming from. I do not use a brush either and can't figure out why you would need one? A loose patch will rid the bore of loose fragments of carbon and soap and water will complete the job of cleaning a barrel. I see no reason to reinvent the wheel? I don't even use a brush on modern rifles unless the bore is already on its last legs. I also don't use cleaning fluid for modern rifles that are highly caustic . When you have a pet rifle the last thing you want to do is ruin the bore? As mentioned the steel shanked jags will save you the agony of trying to remove a broken off jag from a rifle. "Been there done that"!

THanks LME. When I had my RR and patch stuck halfway down the barrel for several days, once I got it out I think I saw some brownish (rust?) residue on the patch rather than the usual black. Therefore I thought it might be rust after sitting in a wet barrel for that period of time? Hence the brush to get rid of any rust if there was any, and then clean it again with the soap and water and then Barricade.

 

[Curley 50 cal]

In between shoots I use a 50 cal brass brush too to loosen and brush out the burn residue. They I run a dry cleaning patch up and down the bore. Loading and shooting results work out great. Works for me and no cold hands in the winter from wet patch wiping.

 

[oldwood]

Once you have put the hot water to the barrel , sometimes with a tight jag the rod will stick. So , just squirt a little WD-40 to lube the dry bore cleaning jag. Won't hurt anything and any water will still clean out......oldwood

 

[flashpoint]

Good idea

Once you have put the hot water to the barrel , sometimes with a tight jag the rod will stick. So , just squirt a little WD-40 to lube the dry bore cleaning jag. Won't hurt anything and any water will still clean out......oldwood

Good idea. Thanks Oldwood.

 

[Flinty Scot]

When I have a drying patch get hard to pull, I've usually used one that, in combinayion with that jag, was just a bit too big and locked when it bunched up around the necked-down shank. Sometimes twisting the rod will collapse the patch enough to come free. If not, I run some alcohol down on top of it. That's usually enough lubricant to ease the lock. Once the patch is out, the alcohol dries quickly, taking lingering dampness with it. After that, the boren is usually ready to oil/grease.

 

[flashpoint]

When I have a drying patch get hard to pull, I've usually used one that, in combinayion with that jag, was just a bit too big and locked when it bunched up around the necked-down shank. Sometimes twisting the rod will collapse the patch enough to come free. If not, I run some alcohol down on top of it. That's usually enough lubricant to ease the lock. Once the patch is out, the alcohol dries quickly, taking lingering dampness with it. After that, the boren is usually ready to oil/grease.

When I have a drying patch get hard to pull, I've usually used one that, in combinayion with that jag, was just a bit too big and locked when it bunched up around the necked-down shank. Sometimes twisting the rod will collapse the patch enough to come free. If not, I run some alcohol down on top of it. That's usually enough lubricant to ease the lock. Once the patch is out, the alcohol dries quickly, taking lingering dampness with it. After that, the boren is usually ready to oil/grease.

Thank you Flinty. I will try that next time.

 

[oldwood]

If you feel the need to use a bore brush at the range during experimentation w/different loads , patches , and different lubes , etc., And catastrophe strikes , stuck brush........You need to have one of those vicious looking single wire cork screw type shot gun wad destroyer pullers with you. That ghizmo pulls busted disfigured wire brushes out on the first try every time for me...........oldw

 

[deermanok]

Anytime I have used a bore brush, it's been in a wet barrel. I plunger the barrel with the hot soapy water, then one or two swabs with the brush and finish up with cotton patches.

 

[flashpoint]

If you feel the need to use a bore brush at the range during experimentation w/different loads , patches , and different lubes , etc., And catastrophe strikes , stuck brush........You need to have one of those vicious looking single wire cork screw type shot gun wad destroyer pullers with you. That ghizmo pulls busted disfigured wire brushes out on the first try every time for me...........oldw

Thanks Oldwood.

 

[flashpoint]

Anytime I have used a bore brush, it's been in a wet barrel. I plunger the barrel with the hot soapy water, then one or two swabs with the brush and finish up with cotton patches.

That's how I intend to use it. Thanks

 

[Col. Batguano]

As long as you're talking about brushes in ML'ers, you might as well do an advanced search here under the subject of; "My brush came off in the bore. Now what do I do?"

It's a Forum Favorite.

 

[Professor flintlock]

Which is perplexing on why the OP is having trouble with wet patches sticking.

Breech plug might not be seated all the way.