Neglected muzzleloader

[meborder]

I just bought a 45 caliber muzzleloader from a coworker and unfortunately it was not cleaned after the last time it was shot. He bought it as a wall hanger and I knew what I was getting when I bought it (not my first black powder firearm by any stretch). I got it cheap enough to take the chance.

As expected, the bore has a fair bit of rust in it. First attempt with the ram rod and a patch got the whole works stuck down in the bore TIGHT. I did get that out and started working on it with a 44 cal jag and had some success. It was tight but I was able to scrub it clean with the undersized jag and 44 cal brush.

So I’ve used some hoppes elite gel, foaming bore cleaner, gunzilla, and ballistol and I’ve got it about as good as it is going to get for now.

The bottom of the lands appear to be pretty clean but the top of the groove are still rusty. Each patch seems to be better than the one before but I’ve hit the point of diminishing returns.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions on getting the rest of the rust out? I have some KG2 that I didn’t think about until now, so that might be an option.

Just wondering if anyone else has had luck getting a rusty bore cleaned up. It’s good enough to shoot the way it is, but I’d like to get it as good as possible before shooting it.

 

[samven]

Its a round ball shooter and its never going to be very accurate with that much pitting. It will cut your patches up just seating the ball. If you check around there are still Smiths that will bore and rifle it for 50 cal. If you really want to shoot that one take the barrel out of the stock and take the breech block off. Its just screwed on but you may need to put the barrel in a padded vise and use a heat gun not a torch to heat the breach to get it loose. Then you can clean it with a tight fitting bronze brush or bronze wool and polish it with JB bore paste.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Is it a Lyman?

 

[Elkins45]

I did a 98 Mauser my uncle gave me with repeated patches of rubbing compound. It seemed to clean it up pretty well.

 

[AZjeff]

Rubbing or lapping compound should smooth it out.

 

[burbguy82]

You could get a 45 cal brush on the end of a rod and use a power drill on low speed. Maybe a few wraps of electrical tape to protect the bore from the rod. Yes it will "destroy" the brush, but they are not expensive.

Gun cleaner IMO will do little to remove rust without vigorous brushing, IE the brushing is the doer, not the gun cleaner.

CLR or the like could be used to aid in removal of the rust, followed by distilled water and ballistol mix to flush the bore. Use another 45 cal brush or the one previously mentioned, wrapped in a patch to mop up.

 

[varmint]

Pull barrel from stock, clean barrel with brake cleaner, plug nipple and stand upright, fill barrel with evapo-rust (careful not to get
on bluing as it will remove), soak for 24 hours, clean with soap and water and repeat if necessary. Dry and oil.

 

[Slick3914]

Some JB bore paste may help. I would fire some maxi balla and see if it smooths out. That should has a better effect the a patched round ball

 

[Elkins45]

There’s always this if you want to put this much effort into it.

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-342303-Bore-Lapping-Kit/dp/B005KW6R50

 

[meborder]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m thinking I’m going to try wrapping a 44 cal brush with a patch and try working the bore with some KG2, since I have that on hand.

From there maybe I can work it with a 45 cal brush and patch and see how it goes.

I think it would shoot the way I have it now, but I think it might tear the patch as mentioned above.

I’ve also thought shooting it with a .454 caliber ball and no patch might be an option.

Thanks again for all the suggestions

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Do an Online Search for Evapo-Rust rust remover. Use as directed.

 

[b_b]

cool old gun either way!

 

[burbguy82]

I just bought a 45 caliber muzzleloader from a coworker and unfortunately it was not cleaned after the last time it was shot. He bought it as a wall hanger and I knew what I was getting when I bought it (not my first black powder firearm by any stretch). I got it cheap enough to take the chance.

As expected, the bore has a fair bit of rust in it. First attempt with the ram rod and a patch got the whole works stuck down in the bore TIGHT. I did get that out and started working on it with a 44 cal jag and had some success. It was tight but I was able to scrub it clean with the undersized jag and 44 cal brush.

So I’ve used some hoppes elite gel, foaming bore cleaner, gunzilla, and ballistol and I’ve got it about as good as it is going to get for now.

The bottom of the lands appear to be pretty clean but the top of the groove are still rusty. Each patch seems to be better than the one before but I’ve hit the point of diminishing returns.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions on getting the rest of the rust out? I have some KG2 that I didn’t think about until now, so that might be an option.

Just wondering if anyone else has had luck getting a rusty bore cleaned up. It’s good enough to shoot the way it is, but I’d like to get it as good as possible before shooting it.View attachment 259455

This is one of the reason smokeless powder is better. Not sure if this gun would qualify, maybe a much lighter load.

Thread 'Smokeless Muzzleloading............at Mach 3 and beyond'

Mar 28, 2024

This started in another thread, so I decided to start a new one.

Basically, I have a good friend that has developed load data for smokeless powder. Over the last 5 years, and 1000's of rounds, he has come up with safe loads, specifically for 209 primer type muzzle loaders. He also builds The Ultimate Muzzleloader, which is a beast.

He also holds a patent on a type of pre-packaged load which is kind of like the old recoiless rifle cartridges, but for 50 caliber ML.

Below is a link to some references. Let me know if there are any questions. The data is not free, but if you are wanting...

• burbguy82
• Replies: 32
• Forum: Firearms: Lubes, Cleaners, & Maintenance

• 

 

[meborder]

I might try the evapo rust. Not something I had thought about but it’s really not a bad idea.

As for using smokeless, I don’t think you’d find anyone advertising a safe equivalent load. They are just different and not comparable.

Black powder is just a different segment of the hobby. It’s like building a hot rod and choosing a carburetor instead of fuel injection. No one will argue about the benefits of fuel injection over a carburetor, but sometimes a guy just wants a carb and all the intricacy that comes with it.

Black powder is the same. It’s more work and not as good by every metric. But it’s enjoyable in its own way for all the things that it is.

my first firearm was a cap and ball pistol that my mom got me for my 14th birthday, so I’m probably a bit jaded.

I’ve got quite a few black powder firearms:
1858 44 cal
1858 36 cal
1860 44 cal
1851 44 cal
two 44 walkers
54 cal rifle
And now this 45 cal rifle.

Just a niche part of the hobby

 

[burbguy82]

I don’t think you’d find anyone advertising a safe equivalent load. They are just different and not comparable

Not true. It is all about pressure. A load could be developed for your gun. In your case, I would not advise it.

But to your point, antiques would not be the best candidate, and part of the hobby is the cleaning and the correctness.

I had a Mosin Nagant years ago, that the bore was filthy........cleaned it up good, usings brushes and solvents, but nothing did a better job than just shooting the gun, and cleaning it afterwards.

Good luck on your venture, and nice collection.