Cleaning tools/supplies

[redneck]

Alrighty guys, the local shop is having a clearance sale so I think I'm gonna go pick up some stuff for my Lyman GPR.

First off, does anyone know what the threads are for the ram rod ? They have a bunch of swabs, brushes, jags etc. but they're made by traditions. Says its 10-32 on the packages and that it will fit most ramrods. Can't find it listed anywhere on the stuff that came with my rifle so I don't know for sure if they match. Looks like they would.

So providing the threads match, what all will I need? I figure a brush definitely, and probably a swab. I think my gun came with a jag but I can't figure out how it works. Its got a little ribbed knob that screws into the end of the ramrod. Do you just put a patch over the muzzle and then push this thing in over it?

I have a bottle of butch's bore shine. Is there any particular type of patches you guys like?
Anything else? Pipe cleaners for the nipple etc. ?

Thanks

 

[4v50 Gary]

Your intuition serves you well. Place a wet patch over the muzzle and drive the jag & ramrod (better to use a brass cleaning rod) down the bore.

I use a brush that is wetted first. Then the jag w/patch.

Oh, the barrel & nipple is removed and the breech end is placed into a coffee can filled with hot, soapy water. You drive the jag down and as it gets wet, it forms a vacuum when pulled up, drawing water up the bore. When you push down, you force the loosened fouling out. Up down, up down, up down, numerous times. May want to change water for a rinse.

Dry the bbl & run an oiled patch down last. Be sure to wipe off excess oil before firing.

 

[TaxPhd]

Same routine as 4v50 Gary, but i dispense with the brush. Never needed it.

Make the water very hot. You will need a towel wrapped around the barrel as it will get hot also. The hot water heats the metal which aids in drying. If it properly dries, less chance of rust.

 

[redneck]

Thanks a lot guys
I'll have to go pick some stuff up. I'll probably buy a brush, but I can see where it probably wouldn't be needed since you can pump water in and out of the barrel, using the trick with the can. If I buy one, I definitely won't ever need it

Just out of curiosity, are brushes hard on the bore? I always heard you were supposed to push a brush all the way through the bore on a modern rifle because trying to pull it back from part way through stands the bristles on end and puts a lot of pressure on the bore. Can't do that with a muzzle loader unless you want to pull the breech plug.