Cleaning in-line muzzleloaders

Photo by Woody Holmes

Download a PDF of this handy Muzzleloader Cleaning Guide

Muzzleloader technology has come a long way in the past decade. Advanced propellants, projectiles and ignition systems have made smoke poles deadly accurate firearms for big game hunters. Despite the improvements, they still need to be cleaned and cared for like every blackpowder firearm from the primitive flintlock to today's electronic ignition in-line.

The right stuff

Here's what you need to keep your high-tech firearm ready to hunt for years to come:

gun vise
cleaning jags, brushes and barrel tools
cleaning rod or ramrod
anti-fouling cleaning solution
quality gun oil
clean patches

Step by step

Make sure the muzzleloader is unloaded.
Secure the muzzleloader in a vise.
Remove trigger/bolt assembly/action to access breech plug.
Remove breech plug.
Attach a cleaning jag to a cleaning rod.
Run patches saturated in cleaning solution from breech to muzzle to loosen barrel fouling.
Attach a bore brush on the cleaning rod and apply cleaning solution to bristles.
Run the brush from breech to muzzle and pull back the brush from muzzle to breech. Repeat back and forth at least 10 times.
Run dry patches through the barrel to remove fouling. If fouling is heavy, repeat steps six through nine.
When patches emerge clean, scrub breech threads with a 90-degree chamber brush saturated in cleaning solution.
Push a dry patch through the chamber and barrel to remove debris left from cleaning the breech and chamber.
Run a patch soaked in gun oil from muzzle to breech.
Brush cleaning solvent on action/trigger/bolt to remove fouling, old lubrication and dirt.
Spray or wipe a light layer of gun oil on cleaned action/trigger/bolt. Wipe off any excess oil with soft cloth.
Clean breech plug with solvent, clear nipple of fouling with pick or wire.
Apply anti-seize lubricant on breech plug threads.
Reinstall breech plug and action/trigger/bolt assembly.
Treat metal exterior parts with gun oil, wipe off excess oil with soft cloth.
Store firearm in cool, dry location like a gun safe or use treated socks or cases to prevent corrosion.

A job well done

Keep your powder dry and your muzzleloader clean for years of accurate shooting and reliable performance. — P.J. Perea

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