How do you clean your muzzleloader?

[bowhunterforever]

Hey guys, How do you clean your muzzleloader after your done hunting for the season? Thanks

[bowhunterforever]

I just clean the bore with hot soapy water then i put wd 40 in there so it doesnt rust! Then before shoot it again i clean it with number 13 bore cleaner, then i'm ready to go! Is this a good way? Thanks

[jdb]

I bought the t/c cleaning kit and followed the instruction on cleaning and seasoning the bore and follow those guidlines. I've found my rifle MUCH easier to load shot after shot and I really think it made it more accurate.

[Moose Eyes]

I think I would use just about anything but WD-40 in my gun.

[bowhunterforever]

Why no WD 40?

[CP]

WD-40 is a fine solvent but it isn’t very good for long term rust protection.  If I use WD-40 I’ll wipe it off and put on a coat of oil, something like 3-in-one. 

[Moose Eyes]

Why no WD 40?

Sorry, I should have been more specific in my first post.

WD-40 can leave a residue and turn gummy when it dries out.  It can also build up over time.  It isn't very good for wood finishes or some plastics either.  And once it dries out it can still allow rust to form.

Some folks will tell you it works fine for them but for lubricating after cleaning I would use something designed specifically for guns, like some of the Break Free products, for example.

[Old Dog]

I use Formula 409 to clean my guns.  You shouldn't use petroleum based products in the barrel of you muzzleloader.   The burnt powder will stick to the oil fouling the barrel.  It's better to use the lubricants that are specially designed for muzzleloaders.  Most of these are a beeswax bases paste that is also used as a bullet lubricant.  Slather the gun with bore butter and store in a Sack-up.  Remember to run a dry patch through the gun before you charge it.

[CP]

I use Formula 409 to clean my guns.  You shouldn't use petroleum based products in the barrel of you muzzleloader.   The burnt powder will stick to the oil fouling the barrel.  It's better to use the lubricants that are specially designed for muzzleloaders.  Most of these are a beeswax bases paste that is also used as a bullet lubricant.  Slather the gun with bore butter and store in a Sack-up.  Remember to run a dry patch through the gun before you charge it.

That is just the opposite of what Knight recommends.  They recommend that natural lubes not be used.  Here are their cleaning recommendations:

[Slenk]

What ever you clean with, use a bore guide on the cleaning rod.
I have seen more muzzleloaders ruined from not using one. In the 40 yrs. that i have been shooting muzzleloader. You can wear out the rifleings with a wooden rod. or any other for that matter.
Slenk

[T-Bone]

Hot soupy water followed by a dry patch and then a patch with T/C Bore Butter. Also, I use a rag with T/C Bore Butter on all the metal, too. Be sure to clean your nipple on every cleaning, too.

Petroleum distillates (like WD 40) can actually react with black powder or black powder substitutes and CAUSE corrosion in your muzzleloader.  The "Old Timers" didn't worry about corrosion because they used things like beeswax and olive oil to lubricate their black powder guns...NO petroleum distillates!

[robodad]

I use boiling hot water and no soap, I treat it like a cast iron pan and never use soap, the "seasoning" in the barrel seems to last longer and the loading a bit easier, also I only use products that are made by TC because in most cases they are natural products and work just as well when used properly as the chemicals.

Also I run several bore butter impregnated patches through the bore while it is still hot since as in the case of the cast iron pan and oil it makes the bore butter fill the pores of the bore while they are open. I also put a small amount of anti seize on any threads (Breech Plug, Nipple, Bolt plug, etc...) and leave them just a touch loose !!

Make sure your ML is cooled then get a small cup of rice and place it in your safe or gun cabinet and store you ML in there, the rice will keep the moisture to a minimum and inhibit any rust !!! 

Just run some clean dry patches through the bore and tighten up the plugs and nipple and load up ready to go !!!