How do you get you patches to come out clean?

[Flint62Smoothie]

The color that keeps coming out on patches is carbon. It hides in the pores of the steel and is pretty hard to get out totally.

So true! Also, FWIW, the best MZL cleaner I've ever tried is Butch's 'Blackpowder' Bore Shine (BBPBS). At shoots, when others think they're guns are clean using their methods and cleaner, I'll have them put just a few drops of BBPBS on a patch ... and it'll pull more out!

That said, my typical cleaning regimen is good ol' water with some Windex with vinegar, then Ballistol or Birchwood Casey's Barricade (formerly called 'Sheath') product. I'll use the BBPBS before any long-time storage.

 

[Erzulis boat]

I just ran a patch through a bore that had not been touched in well over a year.

It is a Colerain barrel with 400+ firings on a Flintlock.

I have never used water, only TOTW Blackpowder Solvent, Break-free CLP, and BC "Sheath/Barricade".

It came out perfectly clean, no rust, no flecks, and without discoloration. A bore light reveals a spotless bore.

I just cleaned it with TOTW Solvent until the patches went clean (maybe 15-20?), then ran a wet patch of CLP. Before firing, I will "dry" the bore and go to town. I also clean throughout a firing session, nothing thorough, but enough to get my patch/ball combo running without too much resistance. This Colerain barrel is no mirror either, the grooves are not very smooth and the bore isn't even close top being slicked up from firing. I have a GM barrel that was very nicely bored/rifled from the factory, and that cat cleans super fast.

For whatever this bit is worth- Andrew B.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

I just cleaned it with TOTW Solvent until the patches went clean (maybe 15-20?) ...

Andrew: Sounds like a regimen that works for you. Good going!

I too have lots of faith in that Birchwood Casey 'Sheath' or 'Barricade' protectant.

 

[MikeChapin]

...
I have never used water, only TOTW Blackpowder Solvent, Break-free CLP, and BC "Sheath/Barricade".

..

Try cutting some of that TOTW solvent 50-50 with water and trying it out. It has worked a lot better for me than the straight stuff. I was running low on the stuff one time and cut it with water to streach it out and found it cleans a lot better cut than straight.

The stuff is nothing more than a super soap with chelating agents to give it a little extra cleaning ability. You should be able to cut the number of patches to clean a rifle in half.

 

[Erzulis boat]

...
I have never used water, only TOTW Blackpowder Solvent, Break-free CLP, and BC "Sheath/Barricade".

..

Try cutting some of that TOTW solvent 50-50 with water and trying it out. It has worked a lot better for me than the straight stuff. I was running low on the stuff one time and cut it with water to streach it out and found it cleans a lot better cut than straight.

The stuff is nothing more than a super soap with chelating agents to give it a little extra cleaning ability. You should be able to cut the number of patches to clean a rifle in half.

I will give it a try, it is some slippery stuff!

Andrew B.