Stupid question so let me have it.... why do you have to clean the breech plug on a in-line muzzle loader except to make it easier to clean the barrel... or did I answer my own question... new to muzzle loaders and have only five shots thru mine...
unkster
Welcome to the forum unkster! I don't know how one would clean the barrel without removing the breech plug, so it's not really much additional work. In reality, a clean breech plug is absolutely necessary for your M/L to even fire. If the hole from the primer through the breech plug to the powder/pellets gets clogged then you can't get "fire in the hole", a big bang and the bick buck you were aiming at.
So, cleaning the front "face" of the breech plug clear of carbon buildup and the the hole from primer pocket to the front is essential for proper ignition. Always a good idea to add a touch of lithium grease to the threads on the plug as well to prevent it from rusting or seizing up in place. Something I've started doing to help clean the flash hole in the breech plug more easily is to find a very small metal drill bit that matches up with the size of the hole and simply drilling the length of the flash hole for a quick clean. One last comment; always fire a couple primers through the empty rifle after cleaning to ensure no residue remains in the breech plug or barrel to clog the hole or moisten the powder before next firing.
Happy Shooting!
So, cleaning the front "face" of the breech plug clear of carbon buildup and the the hole from primer pocket to the front is essential for proper ignition. Always a good idea to add a touch of lithium grease to the threads on the plug as well to prevent it from rusting or seizing up in place. Something I've started doing to help clean the flash hole in the breech plug more easily is to find a very small metal drill bit that matches up with the size of the hole and simply drilling the length of the flash hole for a quick clean. One last comment; always fire a couple primers through the empty rifle after cleaning to ensure no residue remains in the breech plug or barrel to clog the hole or moisten the powder before next firing.Happy Shooting!
Hello:
Yes easier to clean bbl but boy dont forget to take it out and clean it too now and then.
I have a buddy that never took his breech plug out when he cleaned it but then a few years down the road he left it loaded and the load wouldnt fire so figuring he could just unscrew the breech plug and ram rod push the load out and clear the bbl.
NOPE BREECH PLUG CORODED IN PLACE PERMENTLY.
He ruined the breech heads slot and hex ect that unthreads the breech too and yes we got the load out the hard way through the muzzle end but what a chore.
But the breech is damaged and he still shoots it today but would have been nice if he had removed it and regreased the breech plug and threads to ensure it could be removed .
Head Shot
Yes easier to clean bbl but boy dont forget to take it out and clean it too now and then.
I have a buddy that never took his breech plug out when he cleaned it but then a few years down the road he left it loaded and the load wouldnt fire so figuring he could just unscrew the breech plug and ram rod push the load out and clear the bbl.
NOPE BREECH PLUG CORODED IN PLACE PERMENTLY.
He ruined the breech heads slot and hex ect that unthreads the breech too and yes we got the load out the hard way through the muzzle end but what a chore.
But the breech is damaged and he still shoots it today but would have been nice if he had removed it and regreased the breech plug and threads to ensure it could be removed .
Head Shot
Thanks guys... I have already cleaned the breech plug and primer hole, lubed it up and ready to go again... I put some permatex anti seize on the threads as after 5 shots it was a bear to remove it... also how tight should the plug be ? I hand tightened it and just snugged it up a little with the wrench that came with the rifle.. like I said new to all of this....appreciate all the help
I shoot only traditional M'loaders, and I never remove the breech plug unless it is absolutely necessary (hasn't happened yet). My philosophy is that every time you loosen a threaded item, it turns a little further when retightened to the same tension. Pretty soon, things don't line up properly, especially on octagonal barrels, but you must line them up for the gun to function, so you end up with a looser breech plug.
The best way to clean the barrel with the plug in is to remove it from the stock, remove the nipple, set the breech end in a container of hot, soapy water (black powder is water-soluble). Then run a patch up and down with a cleaning jag on a rod. The tight fit of the patch to the bore will create a suction, pumping the soapy water back and forth through the breech plug. You can loosen fouling a bit with a wire brush first, but the hot, soapy water will do the trick by itself. Dry everything thoroughly afterward, and wipe with rubbing alcohol to displace the remaining moisture. Finally, oil the bore (I use CLP Break-free), and you're done.
It is sometimes necessary to wipe fouling with a moistened patch during repeated shooting. A properly fitting cleaning jag is an essential piece of equipment for a barrel with only one open end.
The best way to clean the barrel with the plug in is to remove it from the stock, remove the nipple, set the breech end in a container of hot, soapy water (black powder is water-soluble). Then run a patch up and down with a cleaning jag on a rod. The tight fit of the patch to the bore will create a suction, pumping the soapy water back and forth through the breech plug. You can loosen fouling a bit with a wire brush first, but the hot, soapy water will do the trick by itself. Dry everything thoroughly afterward, and wipe with rubbing alcohol to displace the remaining moisture. Finally, oil the bore (I use CLP Break-free), and you're done.
It is sometimes necessary to wipe fouling with a moistened patch during repeated shooting. A properly fitting cleaning jag is an essential piece of equipment for a barrel with only one open end.
I remove the breech plug on my inlines for a number or reasons...
When you pull one, just take a look at the carbon and fouling inside that plug. That can be missed if you don't remove it. And since it is so simple to take them out, it makes the barrel and the breech plug easier to clean. Clean that plug good, and make sure the fire channel is nice and clear. I like to hold them up to the light and look through them.
Also as said.. if you don't take them out and clean them, they can get seized. I have a rifle... a Black Diamond XR that is a breech plug seizing machine. Even on the range I have to loosen it ever seven or eight shots. And yes, I do use teflon tape and anti seize on it. It just likes to grab plugs.
Also when you have the plug out, its a good time to inspect the threads. Look for wear caused by removal of them and from blow bye of hot gasses. If you see a rusted or damaged breech plug... replace it.
Also with the plug out, I can better clean and inspect the barrel. I am one that has to have the barrel spotless or I am not happy. By being able to look through it at a light, I can inspect that barrel for fouling, rust and anything else that should be attended to.
When you pull one, just take a look at the carbon and fouling inside that plug. That can be missed if you don't remove it. And since it is so simple to take them out, it makes the barrel and the breech plug easier to clean. Clean that plug good, and make sure the fire channel is nice and clear. I like to hold them up to the light and look through them.
Also as said.. if you don't take them out and clean them, they can get seized. I have a rifle... a Black Diamond XR that is a breech plug seizing machine. Even on the range I have to loosen it ever seven or eight shots. And yes, I do use teflon tape and anti seize on it. It just likes to grab plugs.
Also when you have the plug out, its a good time to inspect the threads. Look for wear caused by removal of them and from blow bye of hot gasses. If you see a rusted or damaged breech plug... replace it.
Also with the plug out, I can better clean and inspect the barrel. I am one that has to have the barrel spotless or I am not happy. By being able to look through it at a light, I can inspect that barrel for fouling, rust and anything else that should be attended to.
I've been shooting in-lines for several years now and I keep very good notes on what I'm shooting through them and what causes them to shoot better, or worse. I've found that as the breech plug begins to close up from fouling a point will be reached where accuracy suddenly goes out the window. I've seen this with several brands of guns. I've actually started to use gages to measure the hole diameter and record the results. Once you find your best load combo and see it start to go south, check the breech plug. If it was shooting good and suddenly stops shooting good, it's a good bet the breech plug is closing up. Just being open enough to let the gun fire isn't good enough to get your best results. Even with my Savage ML2 shooting smokeless powder I see a significant difference in group size from one diameter to another over a dozen shots.
Unkster do what Cayugad says to do with teflon tape and anti seize tape, I personally don't like any grease or antiseaze on Breach Plugs in my gun, I don't like the clean up. Teflon tape with never seize is extra insurance to keeping a stuck breech plug at bay. I use the tape only and have neve loosened it after a number of shots, You can unscrew it and screw it right back in with no problems, if you needed to check something on the range.
Keeping the breech plug fire channel clean is probably as important as cleaning the Bore. If you use a regular drill bit over time you can damage your Flash hole. Check this tool out EEZY-BREECH BREECH Plug Cleaner You adjust the collar so you have about .005 clearance from the flash hole, then you can apply as much pressure as it takes to properly clean the fire channel without damage to it.
When you are on the range and shooting, about every 6 shots take the tool and clean the fire channel, it only takes a minute, I don't know what kind of gun you shoot, My Accura V2 only takes a minute or less to clean the fire channel with this tool, I think it is pretty cheap also. Also if the Kit does not have the proper drill bit for your gun they will make you a collar for the proper size bit, e-mail them or call them, they are good people.
Keeping the breech plug fire channel clean is probably as important as cleaning the Bore. If you use a regular drill bit over time you can damage your Flash hole. Check this tool out EEZY-BREECH BREECH Plug Cleaner You adjust the collar so you have about .005 clearance from the flash hole, then you can apply as much pressure as it takes to properly clean the fire channel without damage to it.
When you are on the range and shooting, about every 6 shots take the tool and clean the fire channel, it only takes a minute, I don't know what kind of gun you shoot, My Accura V2 only takes a minute or less to clean the fire channel with this tool, I think it is pretty cheap also. Also if the Kit does not have the proper drill bit for your gun they will make you a collar for the proper size bit, e-mail them or call them, they are good people.
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