10-ga blackpowder blank loads

[Carl]

So I took my antique shotgun up north and shot some blackpowder loads through it. Glad the gun didn't blow up, and it was quite impressive to hear and see such a big deep boom and 15 feet of smoke shoot out the barrels.

The only thing I hate about blackpowder guns is of course the cleaning. I cleaned it real good with blackpowder solvent and everything (I was up north and didn't really have access to hot water and soap) and when I got home today, it was all rusty in the barrel again, and even rusty on the breech lever. So I cleaned it again and expect it to be rusty when I wake up tomorrow. If that happens (most likely) then I'll finally take it to the tub and run hot water and soap through it. Any of you guys have any techniques for cleaning blackpowder without so much work?

 

[Mercerlake]

I use my side by side 10ga muzzleloader to hunt with in rain and snow. Mine is browned rather than blued, but what works for me is good old WD-40. It has some serious anti-corrosives and water displacing ingrediants. I swab it out and wipe it down with Wd-40 each day after hunting. Just make sure the nipples and channels to the barrels are thoroughly dried prior to loading the next day and it's good to go. Also I use a good grade of old fashioned paste carnuba wax on the wood and exterior metal, repels water like a duck, dulls the shine until you buff it. I do the same with all my rifles, no shine, no rust!