shooting and cleaning a muzzleloader

[jackelope]

I'm looking for some of you guys to explain the proper procedure for the cleaning of your muzzleloaders while you're shooting them and then after you're done shooting.
I'm new to it obviously, and I have only been out shooting once, 5 rounds.  the reason I didn't shoot more is because my breech plug got plugged up with powder debris or something...I didn't have the proper equipment with me to fix the problem at the range so I left. This all went down last summer/early fall. Just want to be prepared next time.
 
Thanks in advance.

[Whitelightning]

Jackalope,
To answer your question better we would need more information from you. What type of M/L are you shooting, flint,sidelock, inline and what type of powder and projectile are you using.

[shoot-em-dead]

I take everything it takes to completely clean the gun with me when I go to the range and when I go hunting. You just never know when your going to need it. Muzzle loaders are tons of fun as long as you can shoot.

While at the range- I'll shoot 3 or 4 times and then run a rag down the barrel with a blob of bore butter. The bore butter kinda loosens up the soot. Then I'll run dry rags through until it stays clean. Once I have a clean one come out I pull the nipple off and blow through the nipple to get out the bore butter that is in it. While the nipple is off- I run a pipe cleaner through the hole that runs to the powder. You can pick up pipe cleaners at any smoke shop or most gas stations. Then run another dry rag down the barrel as the pipe cleaner usually pushes a little more bore butter into the area your powder will be. Put the nipple back in and shoot of a couple primers. You should point the gun at some leaves or something that will move so you know the primer has a clean path to the powder. Load up and shoot some more and then repeat. When you get home or back to camp- tear that gun down to every smallest piece you can and clean it with warm soapy water. TAKE THE TIME TO GET EVERY LAST BIT OF SOOT OUT. And the spend the time to make sure every piece is dry from the water. If I am going to use it the next day I will wipe it down with a tiny bit of bore butter and a light bit on a rag down the barrel. Just enough to protect it without getting the nipple plugged. If I am going to store it for a while, I'll load the bore butter thick on every thing.
I have been teased by guys for putting in way too much time cleaning my muzzle loaders but mine are still in brand new shape while theirs have pitted barrels and are pretty much scrap metal.

[jackelope]

sorry guys.
the rifle is a CVA Bolthunter Pro Inline .50 cal and I am shooting 100  grains of loose 777, no. 11 caps and am shooting both 295 grain copper tipped powerbelts or the 250 grain T/C Shockwave sabots.
 I only know that the Powerbelts shoot well at this point. I shot the T/C's but have not had a chance to develop an opinion on how well they shoot. The Powerbelts with 100 grains of powder shoot well.

[CP]

777 gets crusty after a couple of shots, I’ve found that cleaning is required after every other shot to keep accuracy.  I start with a wet patch, Windex works well, and clean with short strokes until the patch runs smoothly.  Then follow with a dry patch.  Final step with the dry patch against the breech plug, pop a cap into the dry patch to clear the nipple and dry the plug.

After the range I disassemble the rifle and clean thoroughly with hot water and dish soap.   Small parts get soaked then everything scrubbed with a toothbrush, wet mop down the bore.  Dry everything, grease the plug, and reassemble.

[rasbo]

I just run a brush down mine,then 5 rounds and brush it again..take it home and clean  up..Soap and water then rinse with hot wawa and a light patch with breakfree

[jdb]

I take everything it takes to completely clean the gun with me when I go to the range and when I go hunting. You just never know when your going to need it. Muzzle loaders are tons of fun as long as you can shoot.

While at the range- I'll shoot 3 or 4 times and then run a rag down the barrel with a blob of bore butter. The bore butter kinda loosens up the soot. Then I'll run dry rags through until it stays clean. Once I have a clean one come out I pull the nipple off and blow through the nipple to get out the bore butter that is in it. While the nipple is off- I run a pipe cleaner through the hole that runs to the powder. You can pick up pipe cleaners at any smoke shop or most gas stations. Then run another dry rag down the barrel as the pipe cleaner usually pushes a little more bore butter into the area your powder will be. Put the nipple back in and shoot of a couple primers. You should point the gun at some leaves or something that will move so you know the primer has a clean path to the powder. Load up and shoot some more and then repeat. When you get home or back to camp- tear that gun down to every smallest piece you can and clean it with warm soapy water. TAKE THE TIME TO GET EVERY LAST BIT OF SOOT OUT. And the spend the time to make sure every piece is dry from the water. If I am going to use it the next day I will wipe it down with a tiny bit of bore butter and a light bit on a rag down the barrel. Just enough to protect it without getting the nipple plugged. If I am going to store it for a while, I'll load the bore butter thick on every thing.
I have been teased by guys for putting in way too much time cleaning my muzzle loaders but mine are still in brand new shape while theirs have pitted barrels and are pretty much scrap metal.

similar to my approach

[WonkyWapiti]

Which range do you use jackelope?  Maybe I can come shoot my muzzy with ya some time.

[jackelope]

mostly Kenmore. I tried out the issaquah range the other week...real crowded and not as nice as kenmore.
 
I really don't care where.

[AWS]

When I'm target shooting just use a spit patch for the ball and it pretty much cleans the barrel everytime I seat a ball.  I can shoot all afternoon and the barrel doesn't crust up.  At the end of the day I pack a rag under the frizzen and swab the bore with soapy water till the wet patches come out clean, then swab the bore with patches till they come out dry, cover another patch with chainsaw bar oil till it's dripping wet and swab the bore with that.  Then just clean up the frizzen and pan with a soapy rag, dry and oil.  The old gun is still shooting well after 30 yrs.

AWS

[dawhunt]

I take a water bottle when target shooting and some patches,I get a patch damp NOT WET !!! after every shot make a couple passes down the barrell then dry patches a couple times wait a few seconds then reload and shoot then do it all over again.

Takes just a couple min but I can shoot all day if I want, then when I go home I tear the gun down and clean it properly put it away and wait for hunting season.

I'll be heading out target shooting soon as I just put a peep sight on a couple days ago. got to get over this rotator cuff proplem first, Surgery I hope not  don't know yet
Bob

[carpsniperg2]

seems like everyone does things a bit diffrent, me when at the range i shoot 3 rounds then clean with a wet patch then 2 dry do that all day untill i am done for the day then take everything apart and clean everything lube it up and put it back together.

[jackelope]

Thanks a lot for all the comments. Do you guys pull the nipple or breech plug at any point at the range or wait till you get home?
That would officially be the first time I've heard of someone using bar oil.

[carpsniperg2]

i just use breech plug grease never heard of bar oil but no i don't ever take the breech plug and nipple out never have with all 5 muzzles i have had wait tell i get home but i do recomend taking a paper clip or other small wire to pick the flash hole. i always carry one because some times part of the cap will block the flash hole in the nipple so fire can not go threw so after every shot i always check just incase. also i was tought by a old school guy and after every shot i huff the barrel as well helps clear crap out and let me know that there is nothing blocking the fire when i hear the whisel from the nipple. but that is just me. but i don'r like to take the gun apart in the field unless i have to because i am not done shooting usally i won't shoot over 25 shots in the filed without cleaning and if i figure i will be shooting that much i will take my stuff to fully clean the gun then clean it again after i am done when i get home.
hope this helps

[bobcat]

Bar oil is for chain saws.