Question from Viewer : How to Clean a Muzzleloader

Q) Can you please explain in a step by step process how to clean my black powder muzzleloader rifle?

A) This is the old fashion way so I suggest you use this method.

You will need the following items :

Mild Dishwashing Soap

Boiling Water

Large Funnel

Cleaning Rod

Old Tooth Brush

Gun Oil (you can use 3-1 oil)

Cotton Cleaning Swabs (pads)

Rubber Dish Gloves

One-ounce tube of Anti-seize Compound (Ace Hardware or Home Depot)

Important Note: Do not use a wire bore brush on a muzzleloader.

Steps in Cleaning Your Muzzleloader:

Step 1 - Before starting boil about 3 quarts of water. Use a 5-quart pot. Just before the water boils add about one tablespoon of the dishwashing liquid.

Important Reminder - Dishwashing Soap will strip the oil from the barrel like it does on a cast iron skillet. This creates rust so make sure to oil the inside of the barrel before reassembling the firearm.

Step 2 - Carefully remove the Barrel from your Rifle. 

Step 3 - Remove the Nipple and the clean-out screw. 

Step 4 - Using a cleaning swab run it once through the barrel.

Step 5 - Using that old toothbrush gently clean the area around the nipple hole and the clean-out hole.

Step 6 - When the water is boiling take the Barrel, Funnel, and Hot Water outside. If it's too cold out, use the bathtub. If using the bathtub I suggest putting the end of the barrel in a plastic bucket so as not to scratch the tub surface.

Important Reminder - Do NOT use the wife's kitchen to do the cleaning.

Step 7 - Put on the rubber dish gloves. With the butt end of your barrel upright and using the funnel carefully pour in the hot soapy water. Stop when about half the soapy water has been used and start running a tight-fitting swab through the barrel. Then pour the rest of the hot water through the barrel. Run a tight-fitting swab through the barrel again. Let the barrel set for a few minutes vertical (upright) to drain and dry.

Step 8 - Now using the oil, apply to a clean dry swab and run it through the barrel.

Step 9 - Now reinstall the nipple and clean out screw. Put a small amont of the Anti-seize Compound on the threads of the screw.

Why do this? - Simple after a period of time the screw may become hardened and stuck in the nipple, and to have it remove without damaging the rifle will require taking it to a Gun Smith. This will prevent an expensive lesson.

Step 10 - Now just reassembly the barrel.

Important Reminder: Make sure the barrel is properly fitted, take your time in doing this. Now just wipe the barrel and metal frame down with some oil. To clean the wood I just spray some Pledge Furnisher Polish onto a rag and gently wipe the wood down.

Step 11 - This step maybe needed in dryer climates. If the ram rod becomes lose and falls out just wipe it down with a damp cloth. This should allow the wood to swell back to its original size. 

Good Luck ....

You are done and now ready to shoot once again.

This post updated, August 16, 2012 with photos ....