Best Cleaning Routine?

[Rem 700]

At the range I was shooting 6" groups even though I was running a dry patch through it after each shot. Then, I realized that I was seating the bullet at different depths...I would push it down as far as it would go, but the residue near the breech made it too difficult to seat the bullet all the way down. So after I took it home and completely cleaned it, I put the load in and marked my ramrod at the proper seated depth. So at least I will now know how far I need to set the bullet each time.
My question is, what is the best way to clean a muzzleloader between shots at the range when zeroing in? Should I take the breech plug out each time and run a patch completely through, or is it good enough to run the patch down and then back up (with the breech still in place). I have found that if I don't take the breech out every couple of shots and run a patch completely through, the residue near the breech makes it too difficult to completely seat the bullet properly on the powder.
Any thoughts?

 

[bobbyrum]

I am going to presume that you are using 777. You said you were running a dry patch through after each shot. I think you will find if you run a wet patch (spit) through first & then your dry patch, it should help you considerably. With BH209, which is what I am using, you don't patch at all. Hope this helps. :grin:

 

[YoteSmoker]

When range shooting, I use two pre-soaked #13 patches then two dry. When hunting, I use a speed loader and don't clean before reloading. Back at camp or home, I clean the bore/breech plug in hot water, dry patch, patch with bore butter and dry patch before assembling the gun. This is my method, using Triple 7 powder. Hope that helps some

 

[1Shot]

Get one of the nylon brushes that is made for your caliber rifle and run it down the bore after each shot to break up any fouling. Then run a damp patch and a dry one. Some of the best BP cleaning stuff I have ever found is called Awesome Orange that is an all purpose cleaner and comes from Dollar Tree stores. Fantastic with orange oil does the same thing. I shoot BP cartridge 45-70 Sharps and this stuff really cleans it up quick. You can remove the breach plug in your ML and spray a few shots down the barrel and the fouling will run black out the muzzle. Run a patch down it to push the rest out. Then run another patch soaked in the stuff and then a dry one and your done.

 

[Charlie-NY]

When I used 777 I would get a significant build-up of fouling with just a couple of shots ........ until ........ I started running a Windex dampened patch down the tube between shots. If the patches are too wet then you should follow with a dry patch before reloading.

Eventually I tried using Blackhorn 209 and was so happy with its cleanliness and performance that I gave away all of my 777, Pyrodex and Shockys Gold.

 

[HunterJim]

There are many recommended cleaners. I have three different ML rifles that I decided to clean with different preparations: Ballistol (cut 50% with water); alcohol (also 50% water) and Gunzilla. Jury is still out...

jim

 

[Rem 700]

Thanks everybody.

 

[Rem 700]

At the range this week, I tried the Windex routine and also cleaned out my plug after every shot...shot 3 inch groups...I am very pleased...thanks for the advice everybody.

 

[Teknys]

+1 on Windex, I even carry a few soaked patches in a ziplok bag while hunting.

 

[chet]

I know I'm a little late on this, but.....

I carry two cans of chew in my possibles bag

the plastic skoal can contains wet patches (i use #13)
the cardboard copenhagen can contains dry patches.

in between shots at the range I swab once with wet, once with dry, load and fire. after about 10 shots I disasemble and clean.

while hunting, I try to do the same..... unless I miss and have to load a second shot quickly, then I wont swab at all, just load and shoot!