Cleaning the Channel
 

Why does everyone always write to use a drill spun by hand to clean the channel? Seems like everyday it is written at least once, some where on these forum.

Normally i clean the channel by either spinning the breech plug, or spinning the drill with my hands. It has been quite awhile, since i used a drill spun by a motor. However, for me, it is the easiest way to clean a plug with a really really clogged channel. Using the motor to spin the drill, takes care of that hard, thick carbon deposit, in fine fashion.

After a normal day of shooting, which for me is 20 shots or less, it is easiest to clean the channel using either a drill spun by hand, or spinning the breech plug. Often, the drill is held stationary in an old worn out chuck, while i turn the breech plug with my fingers. Sometimes i use a pin vice to hold or spin the drill.

If guys used a motor to spin the drill they'd drill the hole all the way through.

I always hold the drill and spin the BP. I put a little pressure on the drill sideways to cut out the carbon. I do it every 10 shots. Unless I shoot less than 10 shots at the range, and then I just do it when I get home.

It's easy with a BP that needs no grease with BH, and loosens by hand. Just spin the BP off, insert drill and spin, and then spin the BP back on. 30 seconds.

No they wouldn't. Guys would be careful, and not drill through the flash hole. Me, i have used a motor a jillion times, to clean the channel, and never once have i accidentally drilled through the flash hole.



Why is it that everyone always writes "spin the drill by hand"?

Ron, as a newbie to BH and cleaning channels, I guess can see why folks would suggest to do it by hand vs. drill. Just as a precaution so to be careful you aren't taking metal by accident vs carbon only.
Just cleaning mine after shooting for the first time the other day, I started with 1/8" bit, and after a couple twists was able to jump to the 5/32" bit and cleaned it all out pretty easily, by hand. That is my rookie .02 fwiw.

To each his own. I use a flash light battery powered screw driver from Walmart and a wood drill that is to soft to cut the hardened vent liner. It has worked for me since about a year before the idea of modifying the Breach plug became popular. And I have never damaged a vent liner. I do take the vent liner out when I clean at home but in the field or at the range I clean with it in.

Lee, you are older than Muley.

You're a machinist.


Not everybody. I don't.

Pete,

Me, i am no machinist; just an old retired carpenter that likes to hunt.

Cleaning the Channel by Spinning the Breech Plug
 

Yes, that's me, turning the breech plug with fingers.

Naw, i've seen your BP work, and some of your posts showing your work. You're beyond some ham-fisted hunters with zero mechanical ability. I'd never give them a power drill, and say to clean the BP with it. :D

Keep in mind my sig.

Don't necessarily agree. Now a seasoned muzzleloader may not but, I've seen shooters do some really crazy things over the last 40 years. People do stupid stuff without thinking every day. Common sense appears to have been removed from the dictionary. Seasoned shooters adapt, using common sense, which is why some come up with some very ingenious ideas.

I may shoot 50+ rounds in a session and will twist the drill "by hand" about every 10th shot without removing the breech plug. Its easy, chips out the carbon and I bust a primer, then load and continue shooting.

Spinning the Drill by Hand
 

The next photo shows the pin vice, and drill that Western Powders includes with their breech plug; ready to do some cleaning.

Power Cleaner
 

Today, it has been rainy, windy, and cool. Instead of playing Monopoly, i took pictures; now it has quit raining, but it is still windy. Time to go burn powder.



My vote for the easiest way to clean the plug..... Anchor the drill as shown in the first photo in this thread, and spin the plug with one's fingers, however if the carbon in the channel is hard, and thick, i always resort to using the motor.

Whats the difference how you drill it out? I always take the ventliner out and drill all the way thru. Sometimes by hand, sometimes with cordless drill. All ways are pretty easy

With the bit epoxied into a 12" dowel I can clean my Omega's plug after every few shots without removing it from the barrel. Why let it build up?

You are just too practical.