Cleaning a Muzzleloader
Black powder is very corrossive. After firing a muzzleloading firearm it should be thoroughly cleaned to help it function properly and to keep it clean and rust-free.
Follow these steps for cleaning your muzzleloader:
- Be sure the firearm is unloaded.
- Remove the barrel if possible.
- Wash the inside of the barrel with hot soapy water (best method) or a commercial cleaning solvent. Wash the nipple area also with an old toothbrush.
- Rinse with scalding hot water.
- Use your cleaning jag to run cleaning patches through the bore until the patches come out dry.
- Run several damp patches of bore lubricant inside the barrel.
- When the barrel has cooled, put a light coat of good grade gun oil on the outside of the barrel, and reassemble.
