Alcohol Swabs/Patches

[MMA1991]

Found this post a while back on a different thread:

"I read somewhere about using alcohol swabs (available in your local drug store) to swab the bore after two or three shots to keep the fouling down. The swabs remove a lot of the fouling making it easier to load the rifle. I also found that the cleanup is very easy using warm water with some dish detergent as the bulk of the fouling is gone..."

I purchased 120 alcohol swabs (the type the doc uses on your fore arm before starting an IV) for $2.67 at the local drug store. They are a lil over 1" square and fit perfect down my .45 cal. Ky long rifle with a 10-32 jig.

Swabbed the barrel out after each shot...ran it down a couple of times and then turned the patch over on its clean side and swabbed the barrel again. Amazing how clean it got the barrel and the alcohol dries quick not impacting the next powder charge.

Recommend you try it if you have not already...beats chewing on a dry patch any day of the week.

 

[DD4lifeusmc]

Alcohol

All I have ever used to clean my BP guns with is plain rubbing alcohol.
35+ yrears now.
It softens quick, it removes ans when running your last clean patch through
it evaporates fast so no rust.
Plus sometimes in th field it can be a paon to find hot soapy water.

 

[short barrel]

If you clean your bore with alcohol, leave it wet and load, the alcohol will have no affect on the charge. It is the most overlooked tool in muzzleloader maintenance. If your gun is a full stock and you are loading for a hunt, clear the flash hole, flint or cap, by pouring alcohol down the muzzle then force it through the flash hole by running a tight patch down. Another dry patch. This eliminates the need to clear the hole with a primer or priming powder.

 

[RonC]

Alcohol -wonderful idea!
Thank you,
Ron