Cleaning mix?

[McClura]

I have been shooting my muzzleloaders, flintlock rifles, flintlock pistols, shotgun, Zouave, and BP Cartridge for about 44 years. The gentleman I started shooting with and learned a lot from gave me some cleaner in a plastic bottle with the ingredients written on the bottle. I have been using it since. He would take a one gallon jug, empty, add 1 cup of Water Soluble Cutting oil like they use in lathes and band saws, 1 cup cup 409 cleaner, (he also said when he couldn't get 409, he would use Murphys Soap), 1 cup of Ammonia, and top it off with water. Shake well before use.
I also use this same cleaner for patch lube with shooting competition. He called it Moose Milk.
I have never had a muzzleloader rust. After cleaning I use Break Free in black bottle for barrel, lock and stocks. It is a synthetic type lube.
I use it on all my guns, modern and primitive.
Mike

 

[b737tvc]

I've used Simple Green to clean my cap & ball pistols a couple of times and for them, it does seem to have a bit of an advantage over just soap and water.

Simple Green is a strong detergent so it will easily wash off the grease I put over the balls in the chamber's mouths that gets blasted all over the frame and the back of the barrel. It also does a number on the arbor grease that has become fouled while I was shooting.

That said, for cleaning a rifle I don't think it has any advantage over just a little DAWN and a bucket of water.

(Gotta love that!!!!! "The Battle of the DAWN". Boo,ha,ha,ha,ha! )

 

[b737tvc]

I've used Simple Green to clean my cap & ball pistols a couple of times and for them, it does seem to have a bit of an advantage over just soap and water.

Simple Green is a strong detergent so it will easily wash off the grease I put over the balls in the chamber's mouths that gets blasted all over the frame and the back of the barrel. It also does a number on the arbor grease that has become fouled while I was shooting.

That said, for cleaning a rifle I don't think it has any advantage over just a little DAWN and a bucket of water.

(Gotta love that!!!!! "The Battle of the DAWN". Boo,ha,ha,ha,ha! )

yep works pretty good and she won't talk back to ya!!

 

[S.Kenton]

Simple green in the concentrated form is extremely strong. I work at a place that makes seats for Honda, we use the stuff all the time to clean up greasy fabric or whatever gets on the seats during production. I use it from time to time and yes it is about the strongest cleaning detergent that I know of. That being said, it is costly. So weigh it all up and decide for yourself. I’m all for a great cleaner, as long as it’s not too expensive. I make my own concoction, 1 part Murphy’s oil soap, 1 part denatured alcohol and 1 part ammonia. It works like a champ and doesn’t break the bank to make it. Yes water works great too...there are many ways/concoctions to clean your muzzle loader, sometimes it’s cool to experiment and try new things. I’d be intersted in knowing your results to compare with mine.

 

[45man]

"I was gonnna mention you may try pouring your canteen down the barrel, but with some of you that might not be water."

But our water dries faster

Guilty! When young I got hold of home made wine and never got so sick in my life. I suppose it would have been a good solvent or penetrating oil!!!!

 

[shortstart]

"I was gonnna mention you may try pouring your canteen down the barrel, but with some of you that might not be water."

But our water dries faster

Yeah, what’s worst, a rusty gun or a dry throat?

 

[goodshot]

i'm going to reply "rusty gun"
we men have our priorities! ha!

 

[gharrod]

Simple Green and a Scotchbrite pad make short work of stripping oil-finished gun stocks, BTW. Rinse off with a hose and hang up and let dry for several days before applying new finish.
=======================================================

Simple green in the concentrated form is extremely strong. I work at a place that makes seats for Honda, we use the stuff all the time to clean up greasy fabric or whatever gets on the seats during production. I use it from time to time and yes it is about the strongest cleaning detergent that I know of. That being said, it is costly. So weigh it all up and decide for yourself. I’m all for a great cleaner, as long as it’s not too expensive. I make my own concoction, 1 part Murphy’s oil soap, 1 part denatured alcohol and 1 part ammonia. It works like a champ and doesn’t break the bank to make it. Yes water works great too...there are many ways/concoctions to clean your muzzle loader, sometimes it’s cool to experiment and try new things. I’d be intersted in knowing your results to compare with mine.[/QUOTE

 

[Griz44Mag]

Hard to beat M A P
I carry a small bottle in my shooting box for cleaning when I won't be home that night.

 

[Crow-Feather]

For stripping stocks, I use Easy Off oven cleaner (fume free). Pulls out oil, and cleans without removing wood. Hang stock (wood only), spray on,15 minutes later, wash off. I wipe down with vinegar just to be sure everything is neutralized. A second coat might be needed.