I read somewhere many many years ago about using 1/3 parts pyroxide, alcohol (>90%), and murphy's oil soap as an effective cleaning solution for range use until you could clean your firearm properly later. I think this solution was recommended for BP.

Curious what other homemade cleaning solutions you guys are using. Are there different solutions depending on whether BP or a BP substitute is used?

-Hunter John

The solution you're refering to is called M.A.P. which of course stands for Murphy's oil soap, Alcohol, and Peroxide. I do not go quite as strong on the Murphy's oil soap when I make it. I do more of a 20% - 40% - 40% . Remember, when you use peroxide it can cause flash rusting so make sure you get some oil in that barrel ASAP.

Another solution is 50/50 alcohol and car windshield washer fluid.

Lets not forget good old hot water with a little dish washing soap. It has cleaned off more black powder then all the others combined probably.

Some people use Moose Milk for cleaning. I make a moose milk but use it to lube patches when shooting roundball. I never have used it to swab or clean.

Cayugad - I know what you mean about just using hot water. I've NEVER purchased any of the commercially available cleaning solutions instead opting to use plain 'ol hot water with a pinch of liquid soap. Not to imply that the commercially available solutions don't work, it's just that I'd rather spend my $s on other hunting stuff...unfortunately it's usually stuff I really don't need!

Being new to the site (as can be seen by my "Fawn" designation...I get a kick out of that!), what in the world is Moose Milk? If I ask my wife to buy some in the grocery store, will I be sending her on a wild goose chase?

-Hunter John

A general purpose black powder solvent and liquid patch lube. Shake well before using

Castor Oil 3 oz.
Murphy's Oil Soap 1 oz.
Witch Hazel 4 oz.
Isopropyl Alcohol (91%) 8 oz.
Water (non-chlorinated) 16 oz.

I dip my patching in this twice and let it dry between. Makes a semi-dry patch material that's easy to carry & use. If you don't mind carrying a little bottle it's a GREAT liquid lube as is.

Be sure when making the Moose milk to mix the alcohol and castor oil together first. Then add the witch hazel. Add all of this to the water and shake. Finally after that mixture is all together add the Murphy’s oil soap.

This is all I use as a patch lube when shooting roundball... works great. I keep a small bottle with me and spritz the patch too. This formula was from a poster on another forum called Stumpkiller. The stuff really is good. You can also use water soluable cutting oil instead of castor oil if you like.

You don't need a cleaning solution for range work. All you want to do is swab the bore with a mild solution after every 2nd shotor-so... depending on what powder you use.

Anything can be used... even a small spray bottle filled with water. Windex is good - so is windshield solution. Alot of folks like to do a 50-50 mix -- adding rubbing alcohol to either one.

A cleaning solution with Murphys & peroxide should be weaker than your suggestion. Peroxide is very caustic & will rust an unprotected barrel in a hurry. I would suggest toning it down...
1 oz Peroxide
1 oz Murphys
1 oz Ballistol
3 oz Alcohol
3 ozDistilled Water

None of this solution is intended to remove copper, lead or plastic. None of this stuff is good for swabbing with sabot/bullets. When used with sabots, your bullets willbecome more difficult to load due to bore wall stickiness after firing.

Cayugad - Thanks for the recipe. Gotta try that someday for the heck of it. Hopefully this stuff smells better than TC Bore Butter. Wife always complains within 30 seconds after the cap is off the tube. Sheez...

Thanks again for the tips.

-Hunter John

I carry a small bottle of glass cleaner "with vinegar" for field use...hot soapy water once I get home. Moose milk...good stuff hunter John.

While steaming hot soapy water is the only thing I use when I get back home, because I can ensure I get it rinsed and dried properly there, I don't use it at the range as I don't want any dampness from water in the bore/breech even for the couple hours before I get home and clean it properly.

I didn't make a home made substitute,buta commercialproductthat is very inexpensive, a little lasts a long time, is simpleto use,andprotects the metal is abottle of Hoppe's No9 PLUS Black Powder Solvent & Patch Lube...outstanding stuff...

Quigley - I used the Windex with Vinegar for years with good results - as a swabbing solution between shots at the range. Mixed it 50/50 with water. However, I recently ran out and tried some Washer Fluid (summer) mixed 50/50 with rubbing alcohol. My groups, which were good before, got a little better. Maybe the bore is more consistently dry when I seat the next round . . . .

May have to give it a try Roskoe.