[Pedeguy]

Ok, new here and I may be labeling myself crazy right off the bat but please be kind. I have a new Marlin CB in 45-70 and planning to use it with BP loads. No laughing please...Anyway, I shoot BP ctg. in my 1874 (not 45-70 though), so I'm not at all new to BP shooting. But I was wondering if anyone out there has any suggestions on proper cleaning after the shooting of such loads.  Thanks in advance.

 

[Big Bore]

Cleaning the 45-70 after being shot with BP is no different than cleaning any other BPCR.  SPG lube will keep the fouling down, but cleanup is the same.

 

[Pedeguy]

Thanks for the response. So far all I use is SPG, good stuff. Main thing I was wondering is how far most guys take the rifle down. With my 1874 I obviously just take out the block and all, not as easy with leverguns without putting wear on screw heads (even with a good set of drivers). I've read in the past that cleaning as usual (with BP solvents) is just fine but that the action should be taken down 2 or so times a year to make sure that all is well. To be honest I feel a little stupid for asking all this. Not like I'm new to BP, just using it in leverguns. Have you used BP in a Marlin action? Anything to look out for with that particular action? Thanks again.

 

[Jack Monteith]

Hi, Pedeguy:
 I haven't used BP in my Marlin (.35 Reimngton), but I have disassembled it and posted instructions here.

http://beartoothbullets.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=7&topic=63

 `Course if you learn to sharpen your flints proper-like, you wouldn't have to fiddle with them cartridges <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->

Bye
Jack

 

[Pedeguy]

Thanks Jack. Believe me, I wish I had a flinter around. Working on that right now. I can't hunt with my centerfires here so percussion is my chosen method right now. It's worked great but I have felt a little than satisfied with it. Off the levergun subject but do you have any suggestions on who I might go through to get a good quality flinter? I would love to have a full blown custom job but it's not in the budget. Just looking for someone to build a good, solid hunting grade rifle. Thanks.

 

[William Iorg]

I have some experiance with black powder in a .357 Mag. win Trapper. No special cleaning has been required - that is no extra take down of the action.

Two good cleaning solutions:

3 part mixture - 1 part Murphys oil soap
                        1 part Distilled water
                         1 part Hydrogen pyroxide

This works very well

Also straight or cut 50/50 with distilled water use Simple green. I am not fond of Simple Green because it can cause corrosion on aluminum. But that is only under skin joints etc.

 

[Jack Monteith]

Hi, Pedeguy:
  I've got a Thompson/Center Hawken. It's useable, but not perfect. What I'd like is a Lyman Great Plains Rifle with a round ball barrel (1 in 60" twist) and a conical barrel (1 in 32" twist. No need to sight in when you switch loads. The GPR is much closer to authentic Hawken styling and the stock fits me. If you check out the muzzleloader forums, you'll hear good things about them.

  Avoid Bore Butter & Wonder Lube (same stuff) and any other lube that claims to season the bore. The stuff builds up until the gun's unshootable. Mine was that way when I bought it. Eventually shot it out with Young Country 103 Lube (no longer available). Now they say to get two bore brushes and a can of carburator cleaner. She'll shoot like new about the time you wear out the 2nd brush.

 Check out the Muzzleloading Forum.

Bye
Jack

 

[Pedeguy]

Thanks for the relpies guys. I wish (not really) that could give up the old black stuff but it's in my blood and I don't ever plan on giving it up, and neither do you guys from the sound of it. Long live the BP! Now if it was just easier to buy in this part of the country...