Cleaning non-hook breech rifles

[Matt Sutton]

A trip to the local Cabelas over the weekend has me looking at their "Blue Ridge" rifles, which appear to be Pedersoli Frontier models. I really want a percussion model, but I have a question. It doesn't appear to have a hooked breech. What is the normal cleaning procedure for such a beast? Would you remove the barrel, or clean in place?

 

[rlltdjpr]

I have that gun in .50 and percussion. Just bought it this summer--it is an excellent rifle, a real tack driver. I remove the nipple and drum? (i guess that is what you call where the nipple plugs in) and run some soapy water through the barrel, then I brush and swab until clean. It really is not all that painful. I have yet to remove the barrel, I am just real careful not to let water flow under the barrel onto the stock and into the lock mechanism.

 

[HRT]

Clean in place. Pull th nipples and substitute a drilled out nipple with som plastic tubing glued in place. Put end of tube in a bucket or pan of near boiling soapy water, get a tight fitting patch on a cleaning jag, wet the patch, insert in barrelto bottom and pull slowly. You will start moving hot soapy water up from the bucket and through the barrel. After a bit the barrell will get too hot to hold on to without gloves and the water issuing from the nipple will be clean. Patch it out with a couple of dry patches and let sit for a few minutes and then swab the bore with a patch with Thompson Center Bore Butter on it. Wipe down the externals with a bore butter patch and you are good to go. Take care to keep the hot soapies off of the wood. The above is the put it away for the week or season. I still usse Hoppes #9 Plus for black powder, or TC #13 bore cleaner, Remminton Vortex or similar product for overnight work.

 

[Matt Sutton]

Thanks very much for the replies! Sounds like it's not too hard to do. I appreciate the comments on the gun as well. After I charge next semester's tuition on my evil Cabela's card, I'll have almost enough points to get one.

I spent a little time on the Dixie site and found this toy.



I think it would be worth the $4.50 they want. It appears to have an o-ring for a good seal.

Now I've got to decide if I want a .32, .36, .45, 50, or 54.

 

[rlltdjpr]

That tube is a real good idea--I think I am going to give it a try

 

[Oldnamvet]

Also don't forget to clean the hammer well. Some of the combustion by-products will end up coming back from the nipple and starting the rust thing with the hammer, especially the face where it strikes the cap.