Plumbers tape and Breech Pugs

[JColony]

So, I've seen a number of comments on here by guys who use plumbers tape on their breech pugs and nipples.  I'm just curious how it does for preventing seizing?  I was told when I started that you wanted to use Super Lube or something similar on your breech plug and nipple to prevent them from seizing up from the recoil.  I like the idea of the plumbers tape, but am concerned about causing other issues.

[lokidog]

I don't think it's the recoil that causes seizing but the fouling from the burnt powder...?  I would worry that the tape would melt in there and cause more problems than thread lube would.

[50CalJim]

I don't see the need to use tape on your Breech plug & nipple that sounds like a pain in the ass to me. I've always lubed up the threads & screwed them in hand tight & have never had a problem with seizing. When I first started out shooting Muzzleloaders I use to over tighten the Breech plug & I would have a hell of a time unscrewing the Breech plug though.

[Camo]

Sabotloader will get on here eventually, he has this down to a science. And I believe it is a bit of a science to get it right. I have tried it but I'm not confident enough yet to make it my go to method. However, if done correctly, I think it will prevent powder blow-back and minimize or even eliminate seizing of the BP. I currently still get some seizing of the BP with lube after 7-8 rounds and no I don't overtighten.

[Sabotloader]

So, I've seen a number of comments on here by guys who use plumbers tape on their breech pugs and nipples.

I quit using grease on BP years ago- using Teflon tape is a whole bunch easier to clean.  I do however continue to use grease on the nipple threads, they are not as apt to seize as the breech plug.

[quote[ I'm just curious how it does for preventing seizing?  I was told when I started that you wanted to use Super Lube or something similar on your breech plug and nipple to prevent them from seizing up from the recoil.  I like the idea of the plumbers tape, but am concerned about causing other issues.
[/quote]

BP seizing is normally caused by blow back pushing burnt materials back into the threads of the BP.  If you seat the BP correctly… nose of the BP to the shelf in the barrel you have a great chance of stopping the gas right at the nose of the BP.  I use the tape to help insure the gas is stopped on the nose of the breech plug.

This drawing is an attempt to explain what and how I seal the plug off.  I also think it is important to snug the pug up against the barrel shelf to squeeze the tape but not so tight that it tears the tape. Most importantly do not leave it loose or back-it-off a bit as is often suggested.

 

Here is an old pictorial of wrapping a plug.  I also should tell you most often the tape does not come back out if the gun intact on the BP as the last picture shows.  You will need a bore brush inserted into the breech threads  and then turned counter clockwise to pull the old tape out.



This is probably a better picture set…

[Dirty Mike]

Me being a plumber wouldnt even use it grease works fine we never you tape for antiseize purpose always a grease also its called thread tape plumbers tape is a metal band

[moosedrool]

Which grease is recommended?

[Smokepole]

Like hitman says, if you go to a hardware store and ask for plumber's tape, you'll get a roll of metal strapping with holes in it for hanging pipes under houses. 
I can't see where using a little teflon tape on the nipple and breech plug would hurt, but I always just smear a little bore butter on there, and go with it.  Sometimes
they can be hard to remove, so I might give the tape a try sometime.

[JColony]

Thanks for all the input, sorry if I offended any plumbers out there

[huntitup]

does the teflon work any better with a coat  of grease on it. Or can we get the same effect with teflon paste

[roadwhore]

Just put a light coat of oil.  It will not seize if you clean after every shooting session.  You gotta clean your smokepole every time you shoot it.  No need for any tape.

[400out]

glad to see a picture of the teflon tape, I was trying to figure out what you were doing with plumbers tape! Last time I checked it was metal 

[Sabotloader]

does the teflon work any better with a coat  of grease on it. Or can we get the same effect with teflon paste

It would be my suggestion when you are first trying T Tape on you BP to use just a very little bit of BP grease on the outside of the tape just cover yourself until you perfect the installation.  Once you get it mastered you will not need the grease.

One thing to remember each time you use a grease in the breech you should really spend time getting the residules out of the threads out of the bore threads.  Over time the heat of a leaking gasses can burn the grease making it a hard carbon.  The other thought is look in the breech with a flash light ans see if the breech plug shelf in the bore is clean and bright.  Often this shelf  collects materials and deposits that keep you from screwing the BP down snug and equal on the shelf.

Here is a picture of the shelf in the bore of one of my rifles....



Old grease on the shelf can really get to be a headache when trying to seal the plug.  If you do not stop the gas at this point (nose of the plug to shelf) it will also cause a minor amount of gas cutting to occur as the hot pressurized gas bends and move around the nose to the threads.

[engelwood]

Get some breach plug grease by any muzzleloader brand and you will be fine. Thread tape sounds like a ridiculous option. Seems like it can get in the way and possibly cause a mis-fire. Just my  .

I've muzzleloaded for 19 years now and have never had any problems whatsoever with breachplug grease.

[Camo]

As it turns out (quick math) I also have muzzleloaded for 19 years. I agree there is nothing wrong with a quality grease. However, in those 19 years, it has always taken a bit of pressure to get the breech plug out after a shooting session, for me. In my opinion if there is an opportunity to eliminate that, I am not opposed to considering options. Whether or not there are any problems with seizing, the effort required to thoroughly clean the BP threads is something that can not be avoided with grease and if the tape eliminates or at least minimizes that, then I'm in.