Hello - I've read a lot about cleaning bp rifles but I haven't heard whether or not to dry patch the bore prior to the next time it gets shot or simply busting a cap or two. Without dry patching it I would think the powder load would stick all along the insides of the bore and even though the bullet would scrape it down the powder would be saturated and ineffective.
barrel cleaning
- Thread starter crobar
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the rifleer
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I usually put some bore butter in it or some hopes 9, so i always run a few dry patches down to get it all out before i go shooting.
Even if you don't put something in it for storage, i would run one or two dry patches down the barrel, then shoot off a cap before you go shooting.
Even if you don't put something in it for storage, i would run one or two dry patches down the barrel, then shoot off a cap before you go shooting.
I guess I can say that I don't ever truly dry-patch.
At the end of every shooting session and prior to going into the safe, I field clean with Ballisto or good old No. 13. Then a good solvent cleaning. Then a clean swab with bore butter or heavy oil. Next time out, I go back in with denatured alcohol and then pop a cap with patched rod in the bore, check for MUD and repeat the cap as needed till I don't see any MUD. Load and enjoy!!
Might add that on an unknown M/L, don't dry patch first or you are likely to get a stuck ramrod. i've had this happen to us twice and they are harder to get out than any PRB, conical or Sabot.
Be Safe !!!
At the end of every shooting session and prior to going into the safe, I field clean with Ballisto or good old No. 13. Then a good solvent cleaning. Then a clean swab with bore butter or heavy oil. Next time out, I go back in with denatured alcohol and then pop a cap with patched rod in the bore, check for MUD and repeat the cap as needed till I don't see any MUD. Load and enjoy!!
Might add that on an unknown M/L, don't dry patch first or you are likely to get a stuck ramrod. i've had this happen to us twice and they are harder to get out than any PRB, conical or Sabot.
Be Safe !!!
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Bet that had you thinking for awhile; Me too. One we soaked then pullled and the second one we blew out with the CO2 pusher. Made a funny sound as it exited the muzzle. The driest patch I use, is one with denatured alcohol. Starts out wet, for some lubrication then dries out in the bore. When we teach, we mostly use the Sate's M/L's and never know what kind of shape they are in, as they get used all over our district. Most of the time they are pretty crappy. We really approach these with caution and can get bit all to often. .... :barf:
Be Safe !!!