How long do you spend cleaning your long rifle after an outing at the range

[griffiga]

Maybe I'm getting slow in my old age, but seems like it takes longer and longer for me to clean my BP guns when I get back from shooting. Last time I was the better part of an hour - and that was only one rifle. Is this the norm, or am I just too slow and meticulous?

 

[Phil Coffins]

About 20 minutes for a rifle. Last week I shot a 1860 and a Sharps, about an hour got the revolver, rifle and the cases for the Sharps cleaned up.

 

[griffiga]

About 20 minutes for a rifle. Last week I shot a 1860 and a Sharps, about an hour got the revolver, rifle and the cases for the Sharps cleaned up.

Seems like that's what I used to spend. By the way, I soak my spent BP cases in a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water for about 7-8 minutes ( Under 10 as too long and they will start to etch) and they clean up nicely after that. I wipe the insides out with paper towel and take a piece of fine steel wool to gently polish the outsides - they shine right up. PS, make sure you don't do it in the house or the wife will use the gun on you!

 

[griffiga]

While typing my last post, the thought came to mind of a guy in one of the mountain man groups I belonged to several years ago. When we showed up to a shoot, he would take a rod with a wire brush attached and run it through his bore a couple time. He would then turn the gun upside down and tap the barrel with his palm until all the white powder trickled out. When asked how often he cleaned it, his response was, "Just before the next shoot." Hence all the white powder on the ground. Needless to say, he never won a shoot.

 

[Dibbuk]

I am usually in no rush. I try to go slow and cover all bases. Usually about half an hour per rifle or pistol. Maybe a bit more if I was having trouble with something. Get everything cleaned, then everything oiled, then everything cleaned up and put away.

 

[Mike Payne]

I would say on the average about 20 minutes for a rifle a little less for a smoothie.

 

[griffiga]

I am usually in no rush. I try to go slow and cover all bases. Usually about half an hour per rifle or pistol. Maybe a bit more if I was having trouble with something. Get everything cleaned, then everything oiled, then everything cleaned up and put away.

Come to think of it, the "putting away" portion does takes time.

 

[D.Summers]

I'm with you, Griff! Takes me 45 minutes to an hour. But I'm usually enjoying myself immensely!! Now that I've retired I find I'm rarely in a hurry to do anything!!

 

[griffiga]

I'm with you, Griff! Takes me 45 minutes to an hour. But I'm usually enjoying myself immensely!! Now that I've retired I find I'm rarely in a hurry to do anything!!

Maybe that's it, I'm usually listening to good old classic rock and roll while doing it. A lot of it could also be, "Now where did I set the nipple wrench?"

 

[griffiga]

Then I find myself going back the next day or two and running a patch through it to make sure no rust. No wonder my wife thinks I'm more in love with my guns than her.

 

[pooch156]

Maybe that's it, I'm usually listening to good old classic rock and roll while doing it. A lot of it could also be, "Now where did I set the nipple wrench?"

Same here!!

 

[Grimord]

Then I find myself going back the next day or two and running a patch through it to make sure no rust. No wonder my wife thinks I'm more in love with my guns than her.

I prefer to listen to blue grass while cleaning my BP guns, or maybe some blues.

 

[griffiga]

I prefer to listen to blue grass while cleaning my BP guns, or maybe some blues.

I love bluegrass and blues as well. In fact, my favorite instrument to play is my 5-string banjo. And I'll bet you have Eric Clapton and BB Kings "Ridin with the King" CD.

 

[Woody Morgan]

Agreed. More than about 20 minutes you're overthinking this.

wm

 

[ord sgt]

It depends on the rifle. The T/C with the removable barrel is easiest. The Pa. long rifles with the pinned long barrels are next. The revolver is the biggest pain. The barrel and cylinder go into the ultrasonic cleaner while the frame gets all the attention. The fouling is usually caked hard, making it tough to remove. The barrel and cylinder get dry patches run through them and the nipples all get a good cleaning.

 

[painter]

Seems like it takes forever. I'm pretty new to this, but I stopped pulling the pinned barrels on every clean. Still seems to take forever.

 

[oldwood]

With the right tools.....10 min's. per rifle

 

[painter]

With the right tools.....10 min's. per rifle

With all due respect...no effin way. Takes me longer than that to lug water down to the shop.

 

[griffiga]

With the right tools.....10 min's. per rifle

Wow, in that time, Oldwood is "Youngwood" in disguise!

 

[Griz44Mag]

Depends on the gun, somewhere between 30 and 40 minutes, unless I have other stuff going at the same time.
The ones with a patent or modified breech take a little longer because I use several different tools to get into the breech to clean it.
The ones that are wedge mounted are 15 minutes jobs as it is so easy to pump them clean.