I just shot my 209 In line in. The kick freaked me out and the scope hit my nose .What a blast that 150 grains of powder made.
Question..Can you run a 12 guage wire brush down the barrel? I was worried about the threads.
Chuck

No, 12ga is way over sized. Also when using a bronze brush, never change directions midway thru. Push all the way out the barrel and then all the way out the breech plug. I hear some guys using a brush in between shots, but I high discourage it. Yes, you are changing direction where the powder sits, but I don't want any pits in my barrel.

Now I do use a 16ga brush to clean out my area where my breech is.

As I begin to lower the ramrod into my bore, I change directions withmy "correct fitting"brass brush in all my ML bores... even get to the bottom & turn it clockwise a few times. Sometimes I'll stop half-way down the bore & scrub up & down/sideways to remove a stubborn fouled area.

Some of my ML bores have several hundred shots accumulated.... no signs of damage or pitting yet. I think the secret to my success is not using a brush that's not meant formy caliber - not using a dry brush without a large 3"clothed patch around it - never using that dry/unsoiled, clothed patch in a squeeky clean barrel.

The closest caliber to a 50-cal muzzleloader barrel is a 28 gauge shotgun. I "think" 20-gauge is close to the 54 - 12 gauge is close to the 58.

That was a big help. I won't do it again. I only ran it down once. I was concerned about the threads where the thing screws in for the 209 primer. You guys are a big help. I really appreciate it.
Chuck
So I need a 28 guage brush. Can I run the bare brush down the complete bore or did someone mention puttin ga cloth around it?
Chuck

That or they sell .50 caliber cleaning brushes at most muzzleloading stores. They will screw right into the end of your ramrod and if you have a T-handle on the other end, you have a pretty good cleaning rod. Personally I have a seperate range rod for cleaning and loading the rifle at the range and home. The ramrod that came with the rifle is used for loading in the woods only. Although I do practice a few times with it on the range just to make sure I can load the projectile under hunting conditions..

As for running a bare brush down the bore, I have done it and not noticed any damage to the bore. I have also ran them with a patch wrapped over them too. The patched brushwill pick up a lot of fowling too when it is on the brush and it is a way to keep good solvent in contact with the bore and the brush at the same time.

hay chuck 7 im a newbie to ml too. i havnt even shot mine yet but. go to basspro they have a really good cleaing kit. its called cva deluxe cleaing kit. comes with range rod patches brushes swabs breech plug grease and other cleaing liquids. and a nipple pick and some other stuff. i think its 50 dollars. if u want to spend the money. thats the one im gona get.

These guys are good on here. I felt very prepared at the range. Be ready for a nice loud sound when you pull the trigger.
Chuck

A 28 guage brush works well for .50 caliber. But 20 guage is around .625 and 12 guage is nominally .729. Even a .58 caliber would really bend the bristles of a 12 guage brush.

Buy what is made for the gun when available. Most any gun shop will have or be able to get what you need, like bore brushes.