cleaning my muzzle loader?

[deerhunter729]

I just purchesed a CVA wolf. I was told to clean it by taking the barrel off and putting it in a tub with warm soapy water. This seems to go against everything your taught about firearms. Any suggestions?

[oldrookie]

I dont do the water thing all the time because its kind of pain having a scope. Every fourth time though I do it because it really does a nice job with 777. I even spray around the hammer and trigger area. Dry patch the barrel, then I use alcohol mix and then dry patch again.....good oil and good to go. I use air hose to dry out hammer and trigger area. Spray birchwood casey down in the assembly, wipe excessand good to go.

[lemoyne]

Yes,use boiling hot water carefully. This may sound like a contradicition of terms but remember your dealing with corresive powder residue if you dont get it absolutely clean you will get rust if you use hot enough water the barrel will dry itself quickly after you wipe it inside and out with a dry cloth, then while it is still warm with the pores in the metal open you need to put oil or metal preseveritive on; I have seen some very badly rusted up muzzleloaders that had only a few shots fired in them,there is no substitute for getting a muzzleloader clean and oiled. Lee

[rem 700]

I just use solvent soaked patches on my inlines. Sometimes I'll use a bathtub for my Hawken, but inlines have such easy access to the whole setup I don't see the need. Just coat with a bore protectant when you're done cleaning/drying and your barrel is set.

[deerhunter729]

thanks everyone. I will try it.

[cayugad]

clean it for now according to the instructions in the manual. Then later, experiment and see which method you like best. I do water clean my rifles only because I use less solvents, and I like how clean I can get everything.

Good luck with your rifle.

[Raider2000]

I've been using Muzzleloaders for over 25 years "mostly C&B revolvers & Civil War style Rifled Muskets" & I swear by the hot soapy water clean up for them, to me there is nothing like it to getting yourBlack Powder weapons clean.

During a rangesession I'll have a spray bottle of either dish detergent & water or the Traditions cleaner to go inbetween shoots, this way your accuracy & ease of use will be improved but when it is all said & done a good ole bath & then a good oiling will do it loads of good for the long run.

These modern inlines like my Traditions Yukon I think you can get away with just having the barrel in the solution & work it in & out with the cleaning rod through the breach & an occasional bore brush to get any harsh fouling like at the breach plug & leading "if you use full lead bullets like some may still do" & then ofcorse dry it good & oil it while it's still hot..

[wabi]

Pure old water is a great solvent for BP & substitute powders (that I've used). The main thing is to get all powder residue out of the barrel & off the iron (ferrous metal)parts. Then it's a matter of getting everything dry and protecting it with a good oil/lube/preservative.
There are also many BP cleaning solvents that will work as well. I've used T/C #13 andButch's Bore Shine with good results, along with soap/water, water/antifreeze (automotive antifreeze), etc.
If you get the barrel clean, dry, &protected there will be no problems, but if you get lazy with any of those steps........[:@]