Smoke pouring from barrel after fired

[EN]

I have a friend who has a .54 cal. percussion rifle. He uses only pyrodex RS in all his rifles. He also uses only musket caps for best ignition. After firing the rifle the barrel still has smoke pouring from the bore. This does not happen with his other rifles. I asked him about how he cleans his rifles and he does them all the same, that is hot soapy water, dry patches and a light coating of WD. This only happens with this rifle. He also cleans the drum with a pipe cleaner. Any thoughts as to what is happening? He has not fired black powder out of it yet but his other guns fire pyro just fine.

 

[sneaky]

In artillery we used to call that the dragon's breath.

 

[EN]

In artillery we used to call that the dragon's breath.

That is so cool! I will tell him that. Accuracy isn't suffering but he was concerned. Thanks again!

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

light coating of WD burning off??
Think Muzzleloaders are also know as Smoke Polls?

 

[TFoley]

WD40 is NOT a lubricant. or even a preservative of any kind. But you knew that, right?

 

[Rod Man]

Water Displacement-40

RM

 

[deerstalkert]

it's crying for real black!

 

[EN]

WD40 is NOT a lubricant. or even a preservative of any kind. But you knew that, right?

Yes, it is a water displacer. Don't like water in the barrel.

 

[EN]

light coating of WD burning off??
Think Muzzleloaders are also know as Smoke Polls?

I would think that but his other rifles are cleaned the sameway without the same reaction. Before shooting he wipes out the barrel and fires about 6 caps thru it. The smoke thing happens every shot.

 

[2 shots]

40th formula

 

[tenngun]

Does it happen all the time?. I notice heavy humid air I’ll get the gun smoking after a shot. I always thought it was just smoke left. It’s heavier then air and just ‘hangs on’

 

[EN]

Does it happen all the time?. I notice heavy humid air I’ll get the gun smoking after a shot. I always thought it was just smoke left. It’s heavier then air and just ‘hangs on’

Just with that gun which is custom made. It only started about 3 months ago so he used another gun with no problems. Went back to this one and the smoke started about every time I looked, but I did not watch it all the time. I use black so I will see if I can wrangle him into firing some to see if that cures it. Just doesn't seem right.

 

[EN]

I like Sneaky's take that it is Dragon's breath. Don't think it is humidity cuz everyone else on the line does not have the issue.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Yes, it is a water displacer. Don't like water in the barrel.

That's why you use it after your barrel gets a bath.

 

[TFoley]

That's why you use it after your barrel gets a bath.

But NOT as a preservative oil coating, as was implied in the text.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Over many years I have settled on a cleaning and oiling procedure that protects my barrels from rust. First I clean with warm to hot water with a little soap. Then run a few alcohol soaked patches through, followed by wd40 soaked patch, followed by Three in One oil soaked patches. Place oil soaked wadded up patch in barrel , and over nipple/vent hole. Then guns stored muzzle down. No rust problems even if the gun is left for over a year or more. A lot of time but it protects the guns.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

But NOT as a preservative oil coating, as was implied in the text.

Didn't see ANYTHING in the "text" implying WD 40 was used as a preservative? Think most folks "in the know" are aware that WD 40 displaces moisture. That's why it gets used after a hot soapy water bath.
I'll hose mine down with WD 40 to drive out any moisture THEN oil it real good with most any good oil.

 

[Whughett]

That's why you use it after your barrel gets a bath.

Displaces the water to where? And what’s left behind if WD isn’t a lube.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Displaces the water to where? And what’s left behind if WD isn’t a lube.

Out of the pores on the metal THEN you patch it dry and re oil with any good oil.
WD also is used of electrical breakers to drive out moisture.
Funny that "fish oil" isn't a lube??
Never seen WD 40 advertised as NOT being a lube. Sure works to slick things up.

 

[Whughett]

Oil floats on water, WD must have a primary ingredient that’s heavier than water.
Personally I prefer Ballistol. Being water soluble, another mystery, it mixes with the moisture which then evaporates leaving behind a thin film of lube and protection.