Cleaning accessories

[pepperbelly]

My .40 flintlock is inbound, as is some Goex powder.
I went to Cabela's just to look and they don't have anything for a .40 caliber, so I will need to order everything I need.
I have the powder, 1 pound of FFFFg and 4 pounds of FFFg coming from Powder Inc. I have contacted someone about some good flints.
I did get a brass powder flask and measure.
I need to order a patch worm, scraper for the breech face, nipple pick, and I don't even know what else.
My rifle and powder should be here about the same time. I have some patch material and the seller is sending a few balls. I know I will be very tempted to shoot it before I can get the rest of what I need.
The biggest thing I will need is a bore brush. Do I need a bore mop, or will a patch work?
I also have to get or make some lube but that should be easy enough.

What else do I have to have? I can get a powder horn and possibles/shooting bag later.

Jim

 

[silverfox]

Just be sure you have a ramrod and jag that will fit your .40. You didn't say how long the barrel was. Yes you can use a tight fitting patch instead of a bore mop. The only bore mop I use is for shotguns. You are going to like shooting a .40.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[ohio ramrod]

The main thing you will need is time!. Time to play with the gun and learn. Remember before you put any powder in take a minute to think every thing through. Most people who first start get in a hurry and make simple mistakes just because they were in a hurry to get shooting.Think safety first and last.

 

[pepperbelly]

It is coming with a ramrod. The barrel is 35".
I am trying to figure out if i have the minimum necessary to go shoot the rifle. Some things can wait a little while until I can get them ordered and shipped but I know me. I will want to go make smoke when the rifle and powder arrive.
Does anyone know of any outdoor store that might have what I need on a shelf?

Jim

 

[FJTBONE]

You should get yourself a range rod, brass if possible. tbone

 

[pichou]

I find a small funnel very handy for cleaning.

Water, and a cleaning rod* w/patch eye or worm takes care of most of your needs.





*Not the same as a ramrod.

 

[roundball]

The main thing you will need is time!. Time to play with the gun and learn. Remember before you put any powder in take a minute to think every thing through. Most people who first start get in a hurry and make simple mistakes just because they were in a hurry to get shooting.Think safety first and last.

I couldn't agree more...this is one undertaking that you would do well to set the rifle in a corner for a couple weeks...and just read and read and read...let all your other things come in...get things thought through and prepared for the first range trip. Many, many threads on the MLF are like the "Cliff's Notes" of shooting Flintlocks.

One example: What will you do if you dry ball? (and history teaches us you very probably will)

Do you have a correct size ball puller?

Will the threads match the threads on the ramrod or range rod?

Do you have a T-handle to match the threads on the range rod to give you the pulling powder to pull a ball?

Or do you have a CO2 discharger and spare CO/2 cartridges?

If things are not thought through ahead of time, you stand a great chance of getting to the range and having to abort partway through and go back home.

Good advice here...take some time on this one.

 

[Birddog6]

I advise you don't even go shoot it before you get the proper equipment to clean & maintain it. That way you won't get in a mess & do some of the dumb things guys do with they start off bassackwards... :shake:

Call Log Cabin, Cain's Outdoors, or October Country & order a Range rod with a bore guide on it, 2 long .40 cal Jags, a .40 cal Button jag, a Patch worm, a .40 cal Ball Puller with a guide on it, Breech scraper, breech brush if they have it, and a clamp-on flushing kit. (If they don't have it call DUnlap Woodcrafts) If it has a patent breech, you need a .32 or .36 cal bore brush & and same cal breech scraper. Round the end of the scraper off. ASK to be sure that all of the cleaning attachments have STEEL shanks on them, NOT Brass shanks. THe brass ones are elcheapo jumk & will break & get you in deep sh..

You could also use a couple of small gem clips (paper clips) if it is a flintlock, some .015 pillow ticking (Walmart) and some patch lube, some .390 & some .395 balls, some Ballistol & a cradle to clean it in. (Cabelas or Bass Pro or Midsouth or Midway & normally made by CaseGuard.

If you want cleaning instructions, email me at [email protected] and put Cleaning ML in the subject line.

Good Luck !!

 

[Lostrifle]

I need to order a patch worm, scraper for the breech face, nipple pick, and I don't even know what else.
Jim

Congrats on your new gun, jim!
You don't need to order a nipple pick(unless you want something fancy); a piece of coat hanger wire, baling(or duct, if you're not out in farm country) wire, or a large unfolded paper clip ought to do the job.
My vent pick is a medium size paper clip; it was the only thing would fit in the vent hole! I wrapped one end around a 3/8" dowel to form a loop, then twisted the leftover around the shaft, for decoration. Works pretty good, didn't cost anything. :thumbsup:

 

[pepperbelly]

Thanks for the suggestion.
I really thought I could get most of what I needed at Cabela's. I forgo to look for a prime charger.

Jim

 

[Birddog6]

Be Careful on the attachments at Cabela's & at Walmart & etc. Get STEEL shanks. Most of the times those places have then with brass shanks & they will EASILY break & you end up in a dang mess, the jag or patchworm broke off halfway down the barrel & etc.......... :shake:

You don't need a charger. You can use the flask til ya get one. Or put a lil powder in a cigar tube & trickle it in from it til ya get a charger or a small primer horn. Or order it when ya get the range rod & etc.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Thanks for the suggestion.
I really thought I could get most of what I needed at Cabela's. I forgo to look for a prime charger.

Jim

Don't fall into the commercialism marketing trap. Anything that says "New", "Improved" or "Patented" is unnecessary in the care and operation of a muzzleloader. Most folks are initially astonished how much junk is associated with muzzleloading . . . and they're right. Most of it is junk. I have a drawer full of gadgets I bought over the years and no longer use (though they are good for blanket shoots and to pass along to those starting out). A good powder measure and a horn or flask are the two primary items. Short starter maybe (I don't carry one).

Look at what was issued to soldiers who used a Bess. A tow worm, a vent pick and a pan brush. That's it. The sergeants got a screw-driver, but they didn't have a Bess of thier own to fuss with; just a spontoon/lance. A soldier would be lashed for removing the lock on his own.

What you need to keep a muzzleloader fed and happy is a lot less than what we use for convenience or because some of us just like gadgets. Some of us spend a year and hundreds of dollars buying junk and then the rest of our shooting lives learning to do with less.

Simplify, simplify.

 

[cowpoke1955]

Since you are making your own lube and the guy is giving you some balls, go down to Wal-Mart and pick up a couple yards of pillow ticking for patches. Also, a short starter is a good thing to have. Good luck and let us know how it goes :thumbsup:

 

[Lostrifle]

Since you are making your own lube and the guy is giving you some balls, go down to Wal-Mart and pick up a couple yards of pillow ticking for patches. Also, a short starter is a good thing to have. Good luck and let us know how it goes :thumbsup:

A warning, stated elsewhere, about Wal-mart pillow ticking; make sure it's 100% cotton, not poly/cotton! You don't want any kind of plastic going down that barrel!
Also, run the fabric through the washing machine a couple times before you use it.
Yeah, short starters are good to have, even if you don't really need one. Someone else at the range might!

 

[pepperbelly]

i have a short starter. I also have some white cotton tight weave, something- I think it's linen but I don't remember. It measures about .010" which is what the previous owner said worked in this rifle. I will be getting some pillow ticking also in case I can't find the same size balls he used.

Jim

 

[skywarp]

Hey Pepperbelly! Good to see you here and on ar15.com.

Sounds like you have a very nice rifle on the way. I can't wait to see some pictures...

Anyway, I'm pretty new to this as well and there's been some great advice in this thread. Only a couple things I'll add.

The old timers shot and maintained these guns for a lifetime without two thirds of the manure we buy and drag to the range with us.

I say order the stuff you need, but don't be afraid to shoot it without all that stuff on hand. Just be careful (don't forget the powder). For cleaning, use a regular cleaning rod with .40 cal pistol accessories if you must, and water. That will get you by until your other stuff gets in.

Good luck!

Edited to add: I've never used a bore brush on my BP rifles. How necessary is it? I usually clean within 20 minutes of shooting as I shoot in the back yard though, so the fouling comes out with almost no effort.