ORIGINAL: Viking_hunter
How often do you guys clean your muzzleloaders and how do you go about it? Or should I say how often do you perform maintenance, because it's not really a clean it once deal. I know that I need to actually swab the bore at least once every other month in order to prevent rust from forming.
The important thing I found is be very fussy when you clean the rifle. Make sure there is no little amount of fowling at all anywhere. A little amount of fowling unattended, will turn into a big problem. After you have the rifle clean, use a high quality gun oil to protect the rifle. I use Birchwood Casey Sheath, Rem Oil, Breakfree with CLP, Smith & Wesson Foam Lubricant & Protectant or Hoppies. Although Birchwood Casey is my favorite.
After I have carefully wiped the rifles down, I find that if I check them every six month, and wipe them down again, everything is fine.