Cleaning at the range?

[eng30312]

I just inherited a CVA Magbolt 150 in very good shape and I want to try the primitive weapons season this year. I have taken it to the range once before and I have noticed that after only a few shots it becomes hard to load. I have read that it is advisable to clean a muzzleloader between shots, however I’m not quite clear on what that means. Surely, that doesn’t refer to the long drawn out cleaning process done at the end of the day, right? Do I just run a wet patch down the bore? And if so, won’t the wet bore mess up the powder? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[duelist1954]

I use the alcohol wipes that drug stores sell for swabbing injection sites. They are the size of a cleaning patch. The alcohol cuts through the fouling and it evaporates quickly.

With muzzle loafing rifles I swab after every shot.

 

[PapaG]

For match shooting we used a "moose milk" wet patch, down and up with both sides followed by a dry patch, again used with both sides between shots. If you don't clean regularly and uniformly you cannot expect consistent accuracy.

 

[mykeal]

Perhaps 'cleaning' isn't exactly the right word. 'Swabbing' might be more like it.

Most black powder guns will require some 'swabbing' at some point during a range session, both for accuracy and ease of loading. Whether that's after every shot or every 10 shots or even every 50 shots depends on how the gun is being loaded and the individual gun's characteristics. And the shooter's tolerance.

As described above, 'swabbing' consists of simply wiping the bore clean, or 'somewhat clean'. Again, depending on the gun and the loading process (amount and type of powder, patching, lubes, etc.) and your goals during the range session you may want to try for perfectly clean and shiny or just do a quick wipe down.

If your gun has a patent breech you may also want to do a two part process to minimize depositing fouling in the chamber.

Shooting black powder successfully depends on getting to know what your gun requires and adapting your techniques to those characteristics. There is no 'one size fits all', or 'this is the best way for all guns' answer in black powder.

 

[Pancho]

I second Mykeal's advice and add that if your ultimate goal is to hunt, consider the need for a fast second shot, not all hunting shots are one shot one kill and there won't be time to swab and load that second shot. Once you have found the round that works best for your gun and you I would suggest you practice loading that round quickly.
You will also have to choose a method to carry your hunting rounds from the many "quick-shot" methods available and be practiced at using it quickly.
Lastly, some rounds may be accurate at the range but not practical in the field. Some saboted rounds are not easy to load under duress.

 

[alsaqr]

At the range i swab using patches moistened with Windex with vinegar followed by two dry patches. Before leaving the range the bore is swabbed using a patch saturated with Windex with vinegar: The bore is left wet: This makes cleanup much easier at home.

 

[alsask]

Try Hoppes Plus at the range for swabbing. Works good for patch lube if you shoot right away.

 

[AABEN]

Thompson has a good cleaner and Night also.

 

[toolslinger]

I also use Windex with vinegar. Between each shot I swab with a saturated patch (both sides) and then 2 dry patches same way. Don't forget to clear your cone with a pipe cleaner, nipple pick etc. to remove the crud you might push into it.