Best way to clean a muzzleloader

[rasbo]

I like to use dawn and hot water,then rinse with hot water,I have a small bowl and let the other parts soak while I do the barrel,if Im putting it away for the season I use  a patch with a dab of break free on it..be sure to use the kitchen sink when cleaning the muzzy,always makes for good conversation from the spousal unit

[ndcasla]

Like everyone else, HOT HOT water and mild soap, I just use a mop, no brushes and pump away, change water and pump some more on the pipe and parts. I put all metal parts in the oven set at about 275 for about a half hour then coat all surfaces with Bore Butter or something akin to it. I've bee shooting the same 54 Lyman since 1974 with no problems.

[MD36]

Dish soap and water. Brush it good and rinse, repeat until clean water is coming out of the barrel. A light coat of oil inside and out. Before I hit the woods i put a few caps through it to dry/burn the oil from the bottom of the barrel. Then load it up

[JohnVH]

Whats the best way to remove rust from the bore?

[Dan-o]

I'd use black powder solvent and a brass brush.....   Rinse and repeat.

[PyroBlack]

Whats the best way to remove rust from the bore?

Either Kano Kroil or (easier to find) PB Blaster, in conjunction with JB Bore Paste. Best to try it first with a patched jag. For tougher removal, use your brass bore brush.

Use as directed on the label. You need to use both the oil and JB's. This is for light rust removal. You can also substitute/alternate a cleaning patch with 0000 steel wool for tougher work. Then buy a quality rust preventer/inhibitor. I like Safariland Breakfree Collector. It really layers and protects - even in bores where rust reappears easily.... guaranteed for five years in normal bores.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/821194/break-free-collector-long-term-gun-storage-preservative-gun-oil-4-oz-liquid

[ghosthunter]

I read somewhere that you shouldn't use normal gun oils, is this true?

Oil and powder don't mix. As long as you dry the bore, your good.

I use boiling hot water; I brush out the bore then place the action in a bucket and pour the hot water down the barrow. Dump that water and add dish soap, pour hot water down again and pump the water up the barrow with the rod and a patch until clear. I finish with more boiling hot water down the barrow and let dry, if you use very hot water it will dry quick and not rust. All small parts I put in very hot water too. I never oil the bore when I'm hunting only the outside of the gun, I oil everything before I store my ML and give it a good cleaning before the next hunt.

I do the same. But no soap any more.

[bobcat]

I don't know why there would be an issue with using normal gun oil and solvents for muzzleloaders. I do and it's never been a problem.

[Sabotloader]

I don't know why there would be an issue with using normal gun oil and solvents for muzzleloaders. I do and it's never been a problem.

If you are shooting real BP you could have a problem with the formation of a black sludge...

[MountainDevil54]

If your bore is soaked with oil of any kind you will make a mess. Run a few alcohol/dry patches to remove any oil you put down the bore prior to loading.

As for windex causing rust, it is 99% lake michigan with ammonia in the mix.

Clean it, oil it, check it a couple days down the road.

Normally after a nice soapy warm water bath, I run a shot of alcohol to flush any moisture/water, dry patch it and then run a patch with birchwood casey 2 in 1 bore scrubber which cleans and prevents rust. Barricade is also another good product and removes easily.

[cowboycraig]

Anyone use Ballistol? I am new to Muzzle Loading and Ballistol has always been my standard.

[JKEEN33]

Hot soapy water and compressed air to dry.

[PyroBlack]

Ballistol is the first-ever CLP in this country. I have used it down the bore and even on the barrel exterior, wood grain and my inline synthetic stocks.

[bobcat]

I started using CVA barrel blaster just less than a year ago. I love it. Makes cleaning so quick and simple. Probably will never use hot water and dish soap in a bucket ever again, which is what I'd been using for 30 years.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/CVA-reg-Barrel-Blaster-Cleaning-Accessories/1383672.uts

[Duckslayer89]

Anyone use Ballistol? I am new to Muzzle Loading and Ballistol has always been my standard.

Did you pick a muzzleloader up yet?