Final bore protector when cleaning BP firearms

[PT7]

The debate and preferences about the "best" in cleaning supplies is ad infinitum. I'm wondering if any members of our Forum, who shoot BP firearms, have used either Bore Butter or Ballistol as the "final bore protector? And yes, please keep responses to my inquiry centered on only these two products. I know there are many other choices, which folk use. I just don't want to go there at this point.

Since I'm new to BP firearms, I've joined a muzzleloading forum to keep on learning and ask questions. Right now there is discussion about using Ballistol. Pretty solid opinions in both the "no" and "yes" categories. So I did a search on Bore Butter. A very similar discussion and opinions happened re. this product back in 2004 on the same forum. In fact, some of the current members chimed in 15 years ago! In the back-then thread, and the current thread, both products popped up.

The nearby LGS fellow who helped me get started with my pistol highly recommends Bore Butter. I'll visit with him tomorrow because I need him to check out my re-assembly after I cleaned it. Had a couple of very minor issues. For myself, I've decided to use Ballistol. It has worked well with my other revolvers as a CLP. I'm about certain he will try to dissaude me and promote Bore Butter.

So thought I'd see what Henry folk think.....appreciate learning about your experience with these two products for this use.
TIA.

PT7

[JEBar]

we use Ballistol on our BP rifles and single shot pistols .... once they are clean and dry we wipe down parts, including the inside of the barrel prior to reassembly .... after reassembly we wipe down the outside prior to storage

[PT7]

Jim,

That's about the same I did for my first-time cleaning. I understand one thing that is very important....heard it often. Get that firearm dry after washing it in water. That almost seems to be key in lessening chance of rust, no matter what bore protector product is used. Thanks.

we use Ballistol on our BP rifles and single shot pistols .... once they are clean and dry we wipe down parts, including the inside of the barrel prior to reassembly .... after reassembly we wipe down the outside prior to storage

[JEBar]

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

[PT7]

Ah, interesting and I'd not thought of that. Similar to the instructs I follow after cleaning my cast iron skillet: place it on stovetop at low temp for up to 7 minutes, then lightly coat it with olive oil. What temp level and how long do your buddies use for the BP metal parts?

CT_Shooter provided me another heat-approach for drying the pistol parts; use a hair dryer. I did that last weekend when I did my first-time cleaning. It seemed to nicely and quickly warm up the barrel.

Wow. Clean a pistol with hot, soapy water -- then dry with a hair dryer or in the oven. Never would have thought....

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

[Mistered]

Right after rinsing my BP barrels I hit them with with compressed air until I see no more water puking out the drum then run dry patches cut out of Cotten cloth down the barrel to grab any remaining water then set out in the sun for a while or lean against my wood stove in the winter. Then I proceed with my final process.

And FWIW drop the olive oil and start using rendered and strained chicken fat on your cast iron.
It doesn't congeal and harden up like olive oil.
Also chicken fat works well as patch lube - the stuff is slicker than snot!

[Mags]

Non-heat drying. Take one of those new ammo bags you got and fill it with rice. Put your metal parts and the rice bag inside a larger plastic bag. The rice will draw the moisture and the ammo bag will keep the rice away from and out of the metal part nucks and crannys.

[PT7]

Easy question, PJM. Before you head out to shoot again, you clean the bore butter out of barrel. I'd think it would be too thick to leave in and maybe would impact accuracy.

PT7

I have used bore butter forever, never used the other product, so can't comment. Clean with boiling hot soapy water and air dry, after it cools run clean patches till no longer damp. Swab with bore butter. Wipe down outside with silicone cloth. lightly oil nipple threads and your done.I never saw rust on clean dry patch before next shoot. Clean my in lines the same way. Also use bore butter on center fire rifles for long storage.

[Mistered]

Its always a good idea to give a muzzleloader barrel a swab out prior to shooting regardless of what is used after a complete cleaning.

You want to make sure nothing has found its way inside the barrel and that it is clear and dry.

I typically use an 'old school' recipe of half Windex and half Murphy's Oil Soap.

This also works well as a quick, in-between shot(s) barrel cleaner.

[PT7]

OK, Gents. Let's see if I can cobble together your posts with some new options you've provided for me. Since I've just started to use bore butter, this is what I do after a range trip. A thorough soap & hot water cleaning followed by drying the barrel with a hair dryer. Apply the bore butter. My pea brain question is (as specific as I can form it), does the thorough cleaning and drying need to be repeated before shooting again? According to your comments, it does not.

Here's what I learned from you two. A "swab out" is sufficient as opposed to the "thorough" approach. I hadn't heard about the "old school recipe" before this thread, and it seems like a good one. Actually sounds better to me when substituting the isopropyl alcohol for the Murphy's. The drying agent factor sounds like it might be even more effective. I haven't had an in-between shot cleaner with me at the range.....WIndex & isopropyl alcohol 50/50 mix sounds good and I plan to try it out next time shooting.

Yeah, there are a lot of choices. One could spend some lengthy time (and maybe $$) trying them all out!

So if I can get a specific answer to my Q (whether or not it is a dumb one) I'll be good to try this new-to-me approach. Much obliged.

PT7

On the range ,I usually just fire a cap or 2 to clear the fire channel, will pull the nipple and run dental brush in to channel. When you think of it if you are using round ball or pre-lubed maxi types you are putting grease down the barrel between shots. .......

The windex solution mix is a great idea. I have come to use isopropyl alcohol in place of murphys as it is a good drying agent. Keep in spray bottle on bench. There are a lot of choices. Use what works for you.

Its always a good idea to give a muzzleloader barrel a swab out prior to shooting regardless of what is used after a complete cleaning.

You want to make sure nothing has found its way inside the barrel and that it is clear and dry.

I typically use an 'old school' recipe of half Windex and half Murphy's Oil Soap.

This also works well as a quick, in-between shot(s) barrel cleaner.

[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.