cleaning a muzzleloader

[shady oaks]

i just got a hand me down muzzleloader. it's a traditions inline 50 cal. my question is the person who gave it to me didn't clean it after the last time he shot in dec. what extra work do i need to do and while it still be accurate?

[jmoser]

1) If possible on your model, remove the breech plug
2) Using scalding (not boiling) hot water, scrub the bore with a bronze brush
[A good method is to put the breech end into a bucket, fill with water, the brush will suction the water up and down the bore.]
3) Dry and wipe with dry cotton patch[es]
4) Inspect with a good light to check for pitting, etc.
5) If it looks halfway decent you can shoot it or first swab with T/C bore butter, etc. to 'season' the bore depending on your personal preferences.

You will get advice to use soap, windex, windshield washer, etc etc etc etc. All of these are water based, if in doubt stick with plain hot water.

Under no circumstances should you use any solvents or oils of any kind - muzzleloaders must be completely oil free. Water based cleaning only.

[deputy]

moser gives good advice for traditonal guns but not inlines! and bore butter is not needed!

for inlines you may use any regular gun solvent! or powder solvent! and lots of patches, once clean check for pits you may also polish the bore with a small strips of 3m scrubby pads and oil! or patches of jb bore compund


i got one at a garage sale a few years ago that was a mess and rusy and pitted after that treatment and some good elbow grease she shot well. in fact to this day i have a friend still using it

for general cleaning during the season, and after this clean out i use t/c bore cleaner patches all ready pre soaked and ready to go