CLEANING PROBLEMS?

[LIBERTY]

I keep reading about people having problems getting their barrels clean. My experience is limited as I only own 2 muzzleloaders. A 54cal GPR and a 45cal flintlock long rifle with a Douglas barrel. With both of them I use WSW fluid for everyday shooting and can shoot till the cows come home without cleaning .Cleaning them after shooting, sometimes all day, takes maybe 10 minutes with cold water. Then I half fill them with alcohol ,97%, shake it around and pour it out. Give it a clean patch then an oiled one and I'm done. When I use mink oil for hunting loads it will start to build up a crud ring about 6" from the muzzle after about 15 shots. This cleans out with a WSW patch and then I can go back to shooting. Even with 120 gr of 2x in the 54  it still never gets terribly dirty and cleans easily.What are those of you that are having problems cleaning using that's causing you so much trouble? LIBERTY 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

WSW?

[wattlebuster]

Taylor Im purt near sure he means windshield washing  fluid. I can see where that would work

[Kermit]

I'm a little confused--my normal life condition--on a point or two. Are you using the "WSW" as a patch lube? And then NOT using it to clean, but using straight water first (with patches?), followed by a 97% alcohol slosh for bore cleaning? Then what--dry patches followed by oiled patches?

What barrel and bore size, ball size, and patch thickness?

Thanks. Always listening for new information.

[LIBERTY]

Sorry guys I should have been clearer. First WSW is windshield washer fluid. For normal everyday shooting I use it for a patch lube. I also use one or 2 patches soaked with it to clean the bore after shooting,. I use the 20/10 fluid as it seems to work well and its easy to find in most auto parts stores. I like to keep things simple so I always use the same brand. Its got soap, alcohol, and water in it. After cleaning with plain cold water and flushing with 97% alcohol I use a few clean dry patches followed by a patch with Mystery oil to finish the job. I only have 2 rifles, a 45 flint with a Doug barrel I use a self cast .445" ball with .015" pillow ticking patch on this one and a 54 cal  GPR cap gun that I use a .535" self cast ball with .015" pillow ticking. I use mink oil for a lube with my hunting loads.

[R.W.D.]

I've used cut down windex before with good results. I've been using Ballistol here lately and I really like it. Don't ask me the ratio. I just pour it into a spray bottle with water until it looks good. Clean up was quicker when using the windex however.

[nosrettap1958]

I don’t think it’s a problem cleaning them as good old soapy water will usually do the trick but its the fact that you HAVE to clean them after a day of shooting or even more after a day of hunting that drives a lot of guys away from black powder.

[hanshi]

I don't like to clean muzzleloaders and I don't like to wash dishes.  But I DO like to eat and I DO like to shoot MLs.  It's just a no-brainer, IMHO.

[nosrettap1958]

Hanshi, my friend, this is where our paths must end. I look at cleaning my companion as an act of love and contrition. I'm never satisfied that she is totally clean and day after day I check to make sure. In my opinion it's all part of the process. 

[Vomitus]

   Stay away from soap. It contains salt.

[Dogshirt]

I don't think the salt in soap is an issue. You only put a few drops in, and you need to rinse the barrel anyway.
A non issue.

[Don Steele]

Hanshi, my friend, this is where our paths must end. I look at cleaning my companion as an act of love and contrition. I'm never satisfied that she is totally clean and day after day I check to make sure. In my opinion it's all part of the process. 

Well Put.
Shooting BP in muzzleloaders or BPCR...the cleaning and "Aftercare" are part of the enjoyment.
In all of my shooting sport interests...there are "steps" that some might disdain, but which for me are part-of-it.
When I am heavily involved in competition in clay target shooting, loading the shells is a relaxing part of the overall hobby. Rifle and pistol shooting...once again, the reloading...crafting my own ammunition..is part of the enjoyment.
Were I to simply order in mass quantities of factory ammo...shoot'em up and leave piles of empties behind...I would miss the "fullness" of the shooting experience I currently enjoy, to say nothing of the satisfaction derived from casting my own projectiles, crafting my best load then using it all to put meat in the freezer, or win a match.

[nosrettap1958]

Thanks Don!!!!   And as I like to say, I was just the idiot that pulled the trigger it was the rifle that did all the work. You have to take care of what takes care of you and how many of us have made a great shot and turned around and kissed the rifle!!!!

My fault guys, I use detergent and hot water.  

This is how a clean my rifle and revolver,
Hot water, so hot it’s hard to keep your hands in it, with detergent or dishwashing liquid.
Clean and dry the then spray liberal amounts of WD-40 on parts and inside barrel. WD-40 lifts the water up off the metal. Wipe that dry and apply a small amount of 3-1 oil. Before shooting I always swab the inside of the barrel out with patch and a small amount of alcohol to clean it of oil.                            

[LH]

Me and you Crawdad,   HOT water and most any kind of cleaner works fast and thorough.  Lately I've been using a floor cleaner that's full of surfactant and alkaline cleanser.  Just like you though,  clean, dry, oil.  It never has bothered me to clean a gun and I don't quite understand "not" wanting to clean one.  Like was said above,  its just part of it. 

[nosrettap1958]

LH, where do you get that floor cleaner or do they all contain that kind of stuff?