Use of Petroleum distilates in muzzleloaders

[bezoar]

Common rule is to avoid anything that has petroleum distillates in a muzzleloader. Last time i checked Kerosene is included in that group of substances to be avoided.

My father uses it to clean and "oil" his as per the bottle instructions. However he stores it upright through summer and in fall pull it outand simply pour powder and a bullet down the barrel.

The first shot of the season is an exploded cci =11 magnum percussion cap and swearing as the gun never goes off, and suddenly the previously clean nipple channel is filled with a black goo that need to be reamed with a bend paper clip, second cap will set it off.

is this typical with this stuff? I only used it to lube my guns barrel when i was sighting it in.

 

[arcticap]

It sounds like there is more than just kerosene creating the black stuff. It's probably a mixture of old powder residue and/or new powder interacting with whatever else he's put into his barrel and doesn't remove. :hmm:

 

[CoyoteJoe]

It sounds like there is more than just kerosene creating the black stuff. It's probably a mixture of old powder residue and/or new powder interacting with whatever else he's put into his barrel and doesn't remove. :hmm:

I agree and have to wonder,"where in heck did he get the idea to clean his gun with kerosene"? I just don't understand why people think they need some weird concoction when plain old water will do just fine.

 

[ss1]

If you set a open container of kerosene in the bottom of your clock [ for fumes to lub clock ], why wouldn't you use kerosene to lub gun ? After all, a clock is a much more persecion mechinical devise than a gun !!

 

[No Deer]

Petroleum oil + carbon + heat = Tar (I know there is more to it than that, but that is basically what you get).

The fumes in the clock are not getting mixed with carbon.

 

[Norskie]

It would not even require old left behind fouling to get you gunk in the bottom of a barrel left standing upright all winter. When kerosene evaporates it leaves gummy stuff behind. Anybody ever rebuild a lawnmower carburator that was left with a full tank of gas all winter? Gasoline leaves gum behind; kerosene leaves more.
The only way I could see this working is if you cleaned the bore thoroughly before the first shot in the fall.

 

[tg]

As stated already you don't need it to clean a ML and a different lube that does not leave a laquer over time and is easier to clean out before loading would work better for that purpose.

 

[ronrryan]

If he stored it upside down the same thing might not happen...no? Good smoke, ron in FL

 

[renovato]

Sounds like it soaked out hidden fouling and deposited it in the flash channel. Most petroleum products cause bad fouling when firing so I would try to steer him to using water for cleaning and oil for protection from rust. I switched to Ballistol for cleaning and oiling, and oddly enough, it causes no fouling even though it's petroleum based. That might be worth a try also.