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.

Havent touched the bore on my winchester,bobcat in months. I dont oil the bores anymore. Of course i dont live in an area that has much humidity. But now and then i'll run a dry patch to make sure theres no rust forming.

Rem oil sprayed onto a patch usually takes care of the rust issue. I'd also run a dry patch down the bore to mop up the excess oil.

I live in a high humidity area. I have had guns get surface rust over a year's time by not checking them periodically. I always leave a light coat of oil on them (inside and out) when I'm not using them. I check them at least once during the summer and usually run a clean patch then a lightly oiled patch through the bore before putting them back in the cabinet.

I'm very judicious regarding the care of my weaponry.

I detail inspect and lubeallmy firearms(ML and Centerfire)(Otis O-85 Ultra Bore in the bore, Clenzoil everywhere else)twice a year.

Detail cleaning and lube at the end of each shooting session or if the ML was fired. Even only once.

I've got ML's that are that are coming up 40 years old and none have any rust anywhere.

If I had a dollar for every ML or Centerfire that I have worked on because of rust and neglect I could retire. It's a shame to see anything in a state of neglect.

Tahquamenon

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.