Field Cleaning Kits

[roundball]

To do my part in helping keep our planet and our hunting areas clean, I follow the same approach backpackers follow...if I pack it in, I pack it out. For muzzleloading in particular”¦and this is definitely not “HC””¦I carry "field cleaning kits" in Ziplocs.

Gives me the convenience of completely field cleaning a ML after a shot so I can continue hunting for hours and not worry about a fouled rifle”¦and then let’s me easily carry the smelly mess out and not leave litter behind.

They consist of:
5 damp cleaning patches
5 dry patches
1 lubed patch
1 Alcohol wipe
1 Pipe cleaner
1 Q-tip
1 Muzzle mitt

 

[Halftail]

Usually when I hunt I carry a handfull of cleaning patches stuffed into the pants pocket of my "Hardwoods Pants",with a little spit for a cleaner.Maybe I might think of cleaning after a shot.Most times not.Bag limits aren't what they are in other places and the deer are few and far between.One shot might be all that you get to fire all season.....Unless you miss :v

 

[noahmercy]

Kudos to you, Roundball! :hatsoff:


I, too take pride in leaving the woods as clean or cleaner than when I went into them. It's a rare hunt when I don't come back to the campsite with an empty can or candy bar wrapper left behind by someone else. I think I'll make up a kit like yours for my first ML hunt this year. (Since I'll be trying for up to six deer, I might just need to do some cleaning in the field! :grin: )

:thumbsup:

 

[CrackStock]

I carry:

a few dozen patches
a small bottle of alcohol
a cleaning jag
a small bottle of oil
a vent pick
a bundle of toothpicks
a tin cup, canteen or dipper

I often pick up trash, but must confess that I sometimes poke the old patches deeply into the ground with my ramrod. Seems pretty minimal to me.

CS

 

[Sharp Shooter]

When you are have used the stuff in those zip lock bags you can put it back in the bag and in the same place you had it before until you get the chance to trash it. I think I will go make a kit myself.

 

[roundball]

That's what I do.....while I'm waiting before going after a deer I've shot, I take my time and thoroughly clean the rifle, put in a fresh reload, seal all the mess back up in the ziploc bag, stuff it back in the vest and toss it when I get back at the house.

I don't know how they managed to get by without Ziplocs "back in the day" :grin:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I don't "pack it out", but my cleaning kit consists of a roll of cotton. Naturally biodegradable - just as the ball patch is that I leave where it lands. Currently my cleaning patch material is 1-1/2" strips torn off a set of old flannel sheets THE ADMIRAL passed on to me (with only a little begging on my part) that I carry in rolls. I tear off 2" or so and lay it on my tongue while pulling the rammer and jag and wipe with that.

If I'm not reloading that day I wipe with a couple and then run a lubed patch down to coat the bore.

I also carry an oil bottle (a Ted Cash brass oiler) with Beechwood Casey Sheath in it. I can clean the rifle for overnight with six or eight cotton patches and a little Moose Juice from a 1 oz bottle I carry in my hunting pouch, then oil her lightly. The thinned beeswax in Moose Snot works for short term metal protection when buffed in with a patch.

What's a Ziplock? :haha:

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Another good thing to do in cold weather is to put your patches in a pocket with a handwarmer if it is really cold so your solvent will not freeze. My patch lube cleans and prevents rust well untill I can really clean that rifle. It also will not freeze so I will just carry 10 cleaning patches soaked in that.