Range, field and final cleaning

[Zip]

Seems the more questions I ask the more I think up. I've been outta the blackpowder loop a while. I'm shooting a .50 TC Hawkens, mostly sticking with PRB. I do have some leftover lead conicals and even a small number of plastic sabotted jacketed bullets.

What is everyone using to clean their bores at the range, in the field and at home before putting away? I have some old supplies of Bore Butter, CVA Barrel Blaster Wonder Gel and Outers Foam stuff. I hear references to Barricade and Ballistol, but don't know what they're used for or where to buy. I still have a couple of bottles of Triple 7 and Pyrodex RS.

If my working stiff buddy can get some time off next month we hope to take our Hawkens to the range, so that's why I'm asking...instead of relying on my memory. Thanks. May your rivers shine with beavers big as griz.

 

[buford87]

Cleaning a muzzleloader is like the old movies where someone is having a baby, start boiling lots of water. Actually the water doesn't have to be that hot , seriously all that you need is water you can add alittle bit of liquid dish detergent if you want or not. let water soak to loosen the fouling then swab withapatch until a clean patch stays clean dry the barrel completely then a little bit of oil to stop rust. Before you shoot next time clean the oil out with some rubbing alcohol then let dry before shooting........................watch yer top knot......................

 

[Stubert]

I clean mine with dish detergent and hot water, light coat of oil in the bore for storage. been doing it that way for 35 yrs. Keep it simple. None of my guns ever show rust. At the range a spit patch.

 

[necchi]

There's this one http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/257599/tp/0/all/1/
and this one of current; http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/257612/all/1/

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Hunting.....spit patch.

Range.......spit patch.

Home.......soap and water.

 

[necchi]

Hunting.....spit patch.

Range.......spit patch.

Home.......soap and water.

Good one,
I step'er up a notch and carry an empty visine eye drops bottle with a 50/50 mix of Ballistol an water in the shootiun box for that "end of rangetime" swabbin. It let's me git just a little more protection for the trip home.

 

[rabjr]

Range, Black Solve
Hunting, Black Solve, Bear Grease
Home, Black Solve, Barricade

 

[Zip]

Good posts fellas. Short and to the point, easy on the top knot. Kinda like: "Head due west to the sunset, turn left at the Rocky Mountains." Early GPS?

 

[ohio ramrod]

hunting- spit patch, target range- alcohol soaked patch. Both followed by heavy oil soaked patch over muzzle and nipple/vent hole. Home cleaning hot water ,followed by several dry patches and then military gun oil left from Nam days. ( I had a case of it and am still using it. But am starting to runn low )

 

[majg1234]

swab with 1/2 murpheys oil soap and olive oil,range and field I carry a small bottle with me always,then @ home or @ camp clean with hot water dish washing detergent and oil with ATF,after drying well,for long term storage apply mink oil from TRACTOR SUPPLY to the bore with a patch/mop and rub some on barrel and stock,no rust found after over 2 yrs storage on several stored this way while visiting some our friends in the middle east :grin:

 

[Pete Gaimari]

I probably should have added that i'll add some Ballistol if i'm far from home hunting or range.

Most of the time i'm only 10 minutes away, and I clean when I get home right away.

My lube for shooting is TOW Mink Oil, and Ballistol for protection.

I'll use Hoppe's 9 for the nipple, because it smells so good.

 

[William O.]

An alcohol dampened cleaning patch or two before leaving the range removes maybe 95% or more of the powder fouling IME, then followed by another cleaning patch that's been saturated in your favorite rust inhibitor has kept the bore's of my rifles clean and rust free. That leaves me the option of soap and water cleaning for another time and I can usually go three or four more range sessions before I get enough crud in the patent breech to require more thorough procedures.
Also, JB's bore paste every so often also does a lot of good. Hope this helps.