Cleaning jag getting stuck

[Grenadier1758]

Another common new guy mistake is not getting an unbreakable cleaning rod of brass or steel (some like delrin) with a bore protector. Starting the cleaning with a dry patch in a fouled bore often ends with a stuck patch. Always start cleaning with a very wet patch.

The cleaning jag should be brass with a steel machine screw to thread into the cleaning rod.

 

[JollyRoger]

Common new guy mistake, don’t push it in all the way to start cleaning. With a wet patch go in about four inches then back out. Each time you push it in go a bit farther than back out till you work your way all the way down. These short strokes with wet patches will make it easy to do the cleaning.
Clean with just water or add a drop of soap will do a perfect job, don’t use anything else to start. Once clean dry and oil well. I prefer Barricade oil inside and out. You don’t need any special mixtures or equipment. Read all the posts about wire brushes getting stuck too!

Thank you, as a newbie, I had a similar problem.

 

[Ponderosaman]

You didn’t say if it is a flintlock, but if it is a percussion, removing the nipple to allow a place for the muck to go may help?

 

[jrweis1997]

hot hot hot soapy water is your friend

 

[Rob M.]

Ive had to take a few jags and slowly spin them up against the spinning grinding wheel on my grinder ... They were just a tad too big in diameter ... Extended jags are awesome too ...gives ya more ramrod to get a hold of when your cleaning

 

[waksupi]

Ive had to take a few jags and slowly spin them up against the spinning grinding wheel on my grinder ... They were just a tad too big in diameter ... Extended jags are awesome too ...gives ya more ramrod to get a hold of when your cleaning

I'm a bit more refined. I chuck the jag into the drill press, and use a file to reduce diameter. Once it fits nice, back in the chuck to polish it smooth.

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

Answered in under 1000 words.
The cleaning patch is to big.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Common new guy mistake, don’t push it in all the way to start cleaning. With a wet patch go in about four inches then back out. Each time you push it in go a bit farther than back out till you work your way all the way down. These short strokes with wet patches will make it easy to do the cleaning.
Clean with just water or add a drop of soap will do a perfect job, don’t use anything else to start. Once clean dry and oil well. I prefer Barricade oil inside and out. You don’t need any special mixtures or equipment. Read all the posts about wire brushes getting stuck too!

Very seldom do I disagree with Phil. But, this time I do. TC breeches are tapered. Your jag is simply too large. As suggested, put in a drill press and reduce size with a flat file, or get a smaller jag.

 

[Rob M.]

I'm a bit more refined. I chuck the jag into the drill press, and use a file to reduce diameter. Once it fits nice, back in the chuck to polish it smooth.

Everybody is more refined than I am !! LOL ... Thats a good idea

 

[Togo]

I use the same thickness flannel cleaning patches for all of my long rifles and hawken's. For my trade gun I have to use thinner cleaning patch material similar to t-shirts.

 

[waksupi]

Any salesman who recommend buying brushes to clean muzzle loaders, should be slapped. Proper sized jag, or better yet, worm and tow.

 

[DillyJamba]

Another common new guy mistake is not getting an unbreakable cleaning rod of brass or steel (some like delrin) with a bore protector. Starting the cleaning with a dry patch in a fouled bore often ends with a stuck patch. Always start cleaning with a very wet patch.

The cleaning jag should be brass with a steel machine screw to thread into the cleaning rod.

Second that, a true range rod was the best investment I’ve made. Of every doodad and accessory I’ve convienced myself I’ve needed none have proved more helpful in loading and cleaning the gun. Some guns are sold with ramrods that are just begging to be stuck.

My wife has a CVA Bobcat, the ramrod leaves about 1/2 an inch to grab on to when it’s fully in the muzzle for cleaning. The gun is an absolute headache to use without a range rod. I left it at home once and turned around before bothering to use the included “ramrod”

Track of the wolf has some nice offerings.

 

[J.D.]

I came to this thread a bit late, but the best advice I can give, is to clean your bore by shooting several spritzes of Windex into the bore, tip the barrel up, then down, a couple of times , to wet the entire bore. Let it sit, for a couple of minutes, and pour it out. Run a patch wet with Windex down the bore, then rinse with 91% alcohol. Windex cleans the bore, exceptionally clean, exceptionally fast, using only a couple of patches. The same can be said for swabbing between targets, or relays. Windex gets 'em clean, quick.

 

[Chuck Tiller]

I like using a 3 piece sectioned brass range rod for high volume shooting with the Scouts. One of the things that I have learned is that I can take a socket from my 1/2" impact set and place it on the top section of the rod. I can then slide the socket against the handle of the rod to act as a slide hammer and easily remove the stuck rod. Another last resort is to place "water pump" pliers around the rod and bang them against the handle like a hammer.

CVA Barrel Blaster WONDER GEL will clean lots of crud out of a neglected barrel. It also removes rust from tools with a little hit from a bristle brush.