Help with cleaning between rounds

[John Shortell]

Any suggestions on cleaning between rounds. I tried some T/C lubed cleaning patches but they are too gooey and get stuck when I pull them up and out of the barrel. What size patch should I use for a .50? What should I use as a cleaner/lubricant in between shots?

 

[buttonbuck]

I just use one of the recipes for stumpys patch lube or cleaner and old t shirt pieces to clean between shots. I like to clean up between shots even when hunting probably not necessary but I find I shoot better if I do a little extra down time gives a better perspective on shooting, I am more likely to be observant.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

I use 2 1/4" square patches with a little Hoppe's 9 on a patch and follow with two dry patches. Using both sides of the patch. I carry a small spray bottle on Hoppe's 9 in my hunting bag. I think it was made for perfume. It's just right for a day of hunting, or a day at the range.

I always clean every shot everytime. I'm finicky.

 

[Vtsmoker]

This is going to sound strange but I was given this tip by a trusted BP gunsmith and competion shooter. Strydex acne pads. IT WORKS! The patches are the perfect size for 50 cal. and clean very well. One or two patches,then a dry patch, then a lube patch if you choose and ready to load.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Spit on a cotton patch. Every fifth round.

I use a 0.017" patch for .50 and .54.

 

[catman]

Spit for me..

 

[necchi]

Spit on a cotton patch. Every fifth round.

+1, I use .22 cleaning patches you can buy at the store in my 54,,just to give you an idea of size that works.
I swab after every shot but that's just a technique I learned .

Not sloppin wet but not dry either

 

[saber]

I use old flannel sheets and I make my own cleaning rods with a handle on them workthe end till a patch will not come off and at the range or match shooting I clean well with warm water till the gun is clean.hunting I clean if I shot with tow and a tow worm and warm water at the fire at night till clean then dry and reload

 

[Tom Compton]

2 1/4 flannel patch. Just lay it on the tongue to dampen and on next shot use the other side.
TC

 

[SgtSchutzen]

For swabing between shots, all I do is chew on a patch for a couple seconds till it`s soaked with spit, then run it down the bore and back out. Reload and shoot again.

 

[William O.]

I suggest you soak some cotton cleaning patches in alcohol and use them in between shots. By the time you get to pouring powder down the barrel again the alcohol has evaporated and nothing is left behind to contaminate the charge. I use 70% isopropol alcohol, very cheap when you buy a couple of quarts at a time.

 

[vern faulkner]

For me; shoot, then one spit patch followed by one dry patch, then reload. Works for me.

Vern

 

[Rogue River]

I just use alcohol, by the time you are ready to pour in the powder the alcohol has evaporated!

 

[Bill Hall]

Spit. Old t-shirts torn into about 2"x 2" squares. Like someone else said, not too wet, but not too dry either. At the range I usually I use one side, then save the cleaner side for the next shot, so I use one patch twice. It doesn't get the bore really clean, but keeps the fouling light, consistent, and moist from shot to shot. Bill

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

For swabing between shots, all I do is chew on a patch for a couple seconds till it`s soaked with spit, then run it down the bore and back out. Reload and shoot again.

During our League Matches once in a while a shooter will forget to cap-off at the line after doing the spit patch. Sometimes some crud gets forced into the flash channel just by doing the spit patch (it just happens). To alleviate this situation I recommend snapping (2) caps PRIOR to doing the reload, thus avoiding the problem altogether!

In fact here's the extended idea:

Anything other than a load gets at least (1) cap snapped. A dry patch for example.

After spit-patching, snap (2) caps, with the last one pointed at a leaf, blade of grass, etc.

After pouring in some BP solvent, or water and patching until "dry", we snap (3) caps to clear & dry the flash channel.

After pulling a charge that won't fire, and then clearing & cleaning with solvent/water, we snap (4) caps, with the last one aimed at a blade of grass, etc.

Following the above protocol, NO ONE in our entire League has ever had a failure to fire. A few 6-cent caps is cheap insurance against a missfire or a hangfire :wink: .

The biggest problem with guns that don't light-off is poor cleaning practices. The League's top shooters maintain their rifles so that ignition problems simply don't happen.

Dave

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Good 'ol spit on a cotton cleaning patch is what we use every 5-7 shots. Every rifle is it's own BEAST, and has to be "tamed" by it's owner, so your mileage may vary :haha: .

Dave

 

[MikeChapin]

The only time I clean between shots is when I have been shooting heavy loads and am going back to lighter target loads. I just stuff a cleaning patch in my mouth and spit it up. I run it down to break up the crud ring. I then run a dry patch down the barrel. If I am shooting a perscussion rifle I will pop a cap or two to make sure the fire channel is clear.

 

[Leatherbark]

A dry bore is what you want. Ideally a "T" shirt patch dampend with spit and Ideally it will not push the fouling down into the firing chamber but will pull the fouling out when the rod is removed. I use spit or 91% alcohol only slightly dampening the patch...........Sloppy wet patches are sure fire way to a misfire especially in a patent type breech.
With a liquid patch lube, especially spit you dont hardly ever have to swab..........only occasionally when the humidity is down........

Bob

 

[BriR]

After about every 4 shots I use T/C's T-17 black powder solvent on a patch, turn the patch over, then run a dry patch through and turn that over, too. I follow that up with firing 3 percussion caps. I have a patent breech on my J&S Hawken and it fires every time afterward.

 

[gearheart]

At the range a patch with a spritz of windex or 90% isopropyl alcohol between shots. Keeps the barrel clean. When hunting my first shot will be on a clean barrel. A second shot has not yet been required. In case that changes, I carry a few alcohol prep wipes. they are sealed in foil and ready to use. Just pack out the litter.