Cleaning a muzzle loader? How, how often, and what to avoid

[Airborne Bob]

I'm beginning to see the light.....

[SPLIT_TOE]

with american pioneer powder i use wet patches till it come clean
pyrodex and 777 i use nitro solvent rem oil or wd-40 and the dry patches after that i will fire a couple primers to dry barrell out no problems with wet powder
clean breech plugs with dawn and a tooth brush

[smokepole]

You'll want to follow TC's instruction. As far as not oiling the barrel. I clean mine after every shooting session. Make sure the barrel is good and dry then run a patch with Rem Oil down it a few time. Take a patch with rubbing alcohol to clean the barrel of oil before loading up the next time you shoot.

[sash]

Hey the alcohol Idea sounds like good one.
I actually had my older CVA out the a few days ago and see some spots forming on it. I think I might try this on it.
Thanks for the Idea!

[michiganhunter]

I have a Optima with a nickel barrel, and love it! I have been using 100 gr. pyrodex, with 270. gr. (I think is the gr. ballistic tip power belt! Have not had a chance to put the cross hairs on the shoulder of a buck yet, but have no problems grouping the bulls eye at a 150 yds. As far as cleaning, I run a dry patch thru it each shot while on range. After I am done with it I use 50/50 ammonia and water to clean it. I use ammonia cause, its cheap for one, but it is suppose to help disolve the brass/copper left behind from the bullet. If I dont have any ammonia, I use PB blaster or Sea Foam in a spray can. I almost always have some of that stuff, since I am always working on vehicle and motorcycles. When I am done with it for the season I oil it up with some remington gun oil, but I do run a dry patch thru it before I check it out before season. I would use PB Blaster more often but the g/f hates the smell of it, cause it lingers for a while, ammonia stinks to but goes away fast when mixed with water. I also put a bit of anti-seize on the breach plug threads. Anyway thats what I use! Good luck.

[dons18w]

ok for my tc omega 50 cal. newly purchaced. and bushnell banner 3x7 i have put about 50 rounds down range.and run tc cleaning pad and dry patch after each shot. every 5-7 i hit it with the brush and ....bore blaster i think its cva. i do how ever use 777 pelets and primers. im getting a 1 in 3 shot group @ 100 on sand bags and bench ..... i know thats not to fair but want to get used to my new gun. always use bore butter and plenty of it when storing it . will clean it before and after shooting. also start with firing a primer or 2 after cleaning b4 loading have yet to have any miss fires or delayed fires this way. lost a real nice 10 pointer last year due to delay in fire. went that day and got a cva wolf 50 and have upgraded to the tc and love it. hope i have helped

[quigleysharps4570]

I know this is an old thread...but a glass cleaner with vinegar works well too. I use it on my muzzleloaders from time to time but always use it on my blackpowder cartridge rifles and my blackpowder revolvers about half the time.

[BHC]

Use T/C T7 cleaner for the barrel and also the breech plug, or any other brand and before replacing the breech plug place a nice amount of anti-seize lube to the threads of the plug.

I had the Omega, nice gun, but I sold it and got the Triumph now that is a great gun, and much easier to clean