Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

This may apply to various ML's. Just trying to get sequence ideas since consistencyisimportant when cleaning between shots and sighting in, i.e,1 damp patch = 1-2 strokes in the barrel, turn patch over then 1-2 strokes, then 1 dry patch 1-2 strokes, etc?? ALSO, someone mentioned that since the Omega issoeasy to clean, they recomended taking the breach plug out when cleaning between shots, wiping the breach plug off with TC cleaner, andthen do the above sequence. Any ideas??

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

When I swab the barrel I take my wet patch and work it in short strokes (never one solid long stroke the the breech) starting at the muzzle and making the strokes longer as I got, down to the breech. This will help insure that you do not get a stuck cleaning patch in the barrel. I pull that out, flip it over and work the other side, again in short strokes from the muzzle to the breech. Then I do the same thing with two dry patches that will later be my next wet patches (unless they are filthy).

As for pulling the Breech Plug between shots or during cleaning. I can see no reason why you would do that. Put the breech plug in at the beginning of the shooting session. Check it from time to time during the shooting session making sure it will turn back and fourth. This means it is not locking up. And then after the shooting session pull the breech plug when you clean your rifle. I would think that is all that would be needed. If I had a rifle I had to pull the breech plug out, just to swab the barrel, I would not be owning that rifle for long.....

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

I pull the plug out of my remington for almost every shot. I don't really have too, I just do it. I want every shot to be exactly like the one before. I don't pull the nipple. Mine seems to have a problem with follow up shots though. Mine never miss fires on a first shot with a clean barrel and plug. However every now and then when I just load another bullet in without pulling the plug and cleaning it I get a missfire. It normally goes off with the next cap, but it is anoying.

Switching to a 209 might solve that problem though.

I might switch back to Pioner/cleanshot as well. I noticed the 777 was sort of sticky when it is hot and humid out. I never noticed that with clean shot. Just little white flakes that came right out.

My method is time consuming, however I figure it gives the barrel extra time to cool between shots.

Paul

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

Hog, they had some fantastic sales at Bass Pro's on omegas for like 299 or something for synthectic blued and little more for stainless. I am not sure if you got one yet.

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

I love my Omega but as far as being easy to clean I don't find it that much easier than any other inline other than a bolt that has to be taken apart in the process. I have a Traditions Pursuit which is just as easy. My T/C Hawken is easier but that is because it does not have a scope on it. The Omega with the scope makes it harder to clean without messing up the scope. Type of powder used seems to be a bigger thing than the actual design of the rifle. Taking the breechplug out each shot seems a bit overkill to me. Personally taking the plug out cleaning and re-antiseize etc. makes no sense to me. I would get about two shots per hour at that rate especially at the range when you have to deal with stopping all the time for people to check targets ets.

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

I shoot in my back yard, so I wait for no one;). I don't put anti sieze on it every time either. There is no need if you are just pulling it out again. I just put it in hand tight. When I clean the gun at the end of the day I put a new coating of anti sieze back on it.

I find most that have trouble with breech plugs getting stuck it is from putting them in too tight to begin with, or shooting too many shots with out breaking it loose like Cayugad does. I normally walk down to the target (100 yards) to look at the shot, then walk back pull the plug, clean the barrel and plug and reassemble it. Then I shoot off one cap before I load and fire it. I can shoot about 3 shots in 20 minutes or so. Normally this is for sighting in or working up a new load though.

I do shoot it sometimes without cleaning or anything between shots just to see where they will impact. Incase I have to take a follow up shot in the field.

I'm just anal I guess. I even compeletely clean a rifle before switching to another type ammo.

Paul

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

I have found no need to take the breech plug out except for a thorough cleaning at the end of day. Use Gorilla Grease in conjunction with the T/C pink teflon tape. Plug comes out almost as easy as it went in - even after an extended shooting session.

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

Paul Mohr,

I understand the anal thing 100%, On my .50 Cal SS Rem which Ive had since they first came out, I never pulled the breech plug while sighting in. However, I was "anal" about cleaning between shots and duplicating the effort to-a-t. Ieither go hunting with the gun completey clean and pop a few caps in it first, or shoot it one time, then go hunting. Either way, I want it to shoot the same on the 1st shot whether it be at the range or at the deer.

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

Keep in mind, I use a heavy brass range rod for loading at the range and in the field (collapsable rod for the field). I use the feeble factory rod for a backup to the heavy duty range rod.

Sabot shooting:
From a bone dry clean bore with a lubed breech plug installed. I lightly natural lube a patch and run in the bore down and up (This is to control any potential for flash rust). Then a clean patch down and up.

Then load powder and sabot'ed projectile.

Shoot.

Then spit patch down and up, flip patch and do again.

Then 50/50% 99%/isopropyl alcohol & windshield washer fluid(Thanks Cayugad ;), I was using only alcohol for yearswith great results but mixed with the washer fluid does seem to clean the primer fouling a littlebetter)patch down and up, flip and do again.

Then a dry patch down and up, flip and do again.

Then load powder & sabot, and fire when ready.

Repeat the same procedure for every shot withevery ML I have when shooting sabot'ed projectiles.

Best and most consistant accuracy and performance. Loading is the easiest as well when cleaning in-between each shot as I have described.

In the event that a quick followup is required (although I have yet to need one), I carry a speedloader with a worked up load, wad and conical which will load easily and quickly.

Never (ever) have I pulled a breech plug or nipple to clean after every shot. You may need to "pick" the flute in the breech plug depending on how fouling a powder you shoot. After 7-10 shots, I will "loosen" and then re"snug" the breech plug to prevent seizure.

:D
My .0002

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

I don't want people to think I am saying you have to pull it every time, I just do it for the heck of it. It wastes more time and in my opinion gives the barrel more time to cool between shots. I'm in no hurry when shooting my ML usually.

And with my rifle you HAVE to fire a cap after running a patch down the barrel, espcially if the plug was left in. Must be a crappy design on Remingtons part or something. If I don't fire a cap first to blow everything out of the breech and nipple it will not fire, sometimes resulting in having to pull the breech any way and dumping the charge out the back. My remington is pretty accurate, but not the most user friendly ML I have seen.

I would prefere to just pull the plug and clean it from the back with the bore guide any way. It is somewhat if a pain in the butt compared to just going from the front though. However I like the results and don't mind so much most of the time. It is by no means anything you have to do, non of my friends do it. They don't even run a patch down thiers until the bullet won't go down.

I've always been a little odd:eek:

Paul

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

Yep, your anal alright, just like the rest of us :D myself included (no pun intended)

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

I hope I didn't misinterpret your post, but are you seating the first round in a clean barrel that has a thin coating ofnatrual lube? Does this cause the sabot to seat easier than it does on subsequent shots? And does that first shot hit the same place as subsequent shots? My experience is that any lube in the barrel at any point in the shooting session adds an element of inconsistency to the grouping.

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

Roscoe,

I use no lube of any kind. The barrel is perfecttly clean from the stanpoint of using non petroleum cleaner such as with the TC cleaner or Bircwood-Casey, The barrel is completely clean, dry and free of al substances, except for when its stored for winter. I have not seen a notable difference between the first and second shot when the barrel is 100% clean (lightly swabbing after the first shot).

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

Hogwild - that procedure has worked great for me as well. Actually, I was responding to Tahquamenon's post from a couple back. Something about natural lube/bore butter in the barrel . . . not sure I understood if it was still in there when the first shot was fired. Roscoe

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

I agree with having anylube in the barrel and that causing inconsistancy with shooting sabot's.


No I don't leave the natural lube in the bore, i'm just concerned about conrolling flash rust potential.

I use synthetic lubes for long term care for all of my muzzleloaders (inline, cap & flintlocks) as I know that Clenzoil and Otis 085 UltraBore are vastly superior for protection than any natural lube. IMO.

I use natural lubes (T/C Bore Butter) for the field.

However, synthetic lubes need to be removed from the bore and fouling areas prior to shooting as the non-natural lubes will coke or tar up in the bore after firing.
I don't store my rifles with the breech plug or nipple in. Just something I've never done. I stuff a clean patch in the breech to collect any excess lubes from running down into the action. Do the same thing with centerfires also.

When taking a rifle from the safe or long term storage to go hunting or for targeting, I use a Butches Bore Shine patch or two followed by an alcohol patch and then a dry patch to remove the synthetic lubes from the bore.

Now the bore is clean and bone dry.

Then I take a lightly lubed natural lubed patch and run in the bore followed by a clean patch to remove all excess.
This will leave enough residual natural lube (which does not coke/tar in the bore) to control potential flash rusting. But not enough lube to cause problems with sabot's.

I will then clean the breech plug & breech threads with alcohol q-tip swabs and then dry swabs.

I lube the breech plug and breech threads with Birchwood/Casey Choke Tube lube and snug no reef in the breech plug.

Now my rifle is ready to take to the field and be loaded for the first time.

Regards,

Tahquamenon

RE: Omega Cleaning Between Shots
 

Randy - good idea about leaving the breech plug out and puttinga dry patch in there to prevent oil from running down past the breech plug threads. FWIW, I have used Break Free for years to thinly coat rifle bores when in storage. Never had a problem. I do, however, have some orange tags made up with the words "Oiled Bore" on them - hang the tag on the barrel in case I forget . . . .