Final bore protector when cleaning BP firearms

[BigAl52]

PT
PJM said it best. Whatever works for you is what is the best. These kind of threads have alot of different ways of accomplishing the same thing. Keep the bore from rusting. I dont use bore butter nor do I use ballistol. I have both. If I need to choose between the 2 Id use ballistol. I keep isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle in my shooting box. I always swab out with that before I shoot. Then pop a cap or 2. Never have any issues. I also dont clean with hot water anymore I use Hoppes black powder lube and cleaner. I clean at the range before I come home. It works great and is a great patch lube. I can shoot alot of rounds and never swab or lose any accuracy. Works for me

[Vaquero]

just to ensure they get rid of all the moister, several folks who I know dry their BP's metal parts in an oven after cleaning them with water

During the winter, if there is a fire in the wood stove I have laid the barrel on the top for a short period to help insure it is dry.

RP

[Mistered]

Actually sounds better to me when substituting the isopropyl alcohol for the Murphy's.

It's not necessary to have the barrel 100% 'dry' before shooting - actually its better to have it left with a thin layer of something lubricative - and that's where the Murphys part comes in.

It leaves a nice, slick 'sheen' on the barrel and facilitates loading and the BP fouling does not seem to adhere to the inside as much when it is used.

Heck all this talk of BP shooting makes me think I am going to make some smoke myself this weekend !

[PT7]

Way to think, MrEd.
If you do take your BP firearm out, and after the smoke clears, I'd enjoy seeing your Range Report! Enjoy.

PT7

Heck all this talk of BP shooting makes me think I am going to make some smoke myself this weekend !

[PT7]

Thanks to all for jumping in this thread again, and to PJM for bringing it back after a 5-month hiatus. Appreciated all comments. I've only been shooting BP firearms since mid-2019 and you all have been helpful to my learning new stuff on taking care of my Trapper.

Keep on smokin' those muzzleloaders!
PT7

[Mistered]

I'd enjoy seeing your Range Report!

Will do - been a while since I have shot BP and unfortunately I will be sending my LAST FOUR Hornady .54 Cal Great Plains bullets downrange as Hornady has dropped the .54 and .58 cal (my two calibers) from their lineup and now only produce the .50 cal.

These are/were the absolute most accurate bullets I have ever shot and I will miss them and may have to find something else. I have a couple boxes left for my .58 but they will be gone soon as well.

Sign of the times unfortunately - muzzleloading ain't really growing in popularity.

[Mistered]

I believe lyman has an exact mold for this bullet!

Unfortunately the Lyman 'Plains' bullet mold is not the same as the Hornady 'Great Plains' bullets which are both hollow point and base.

Their hollow base Minie ball mold is actually closer to the design of the Great Plains bullet.

The Lee .54 cal hollow base improved bullet mold looks pretty attractive however and a LOT less than the Lyman mold.

I 'may' start casting again.

[BigAl52]

Having ones barrel to slick can work against you if you are shooting a TC black powder gun. I speak from experience. TC's rifling was very shallow. Having to much lube on a patch would not allow the patch to effectively grab the rifling when shooting round balls and the accuracy suffered.