Accurate Shooters Know the Importance of Cleaning and Maintaining A Muzzleloader

 Cleaning

1. Clean at the range after every shot. T/C recommends the use of T17 Bore Cleaner pre-saturated patches and dry patches.

After each shot, run 1 wet patch and 1 dry patch down the barrel bore.

2. Thoroughly clean at the end of the season and each shooting session.

Pull the breech plug out, use a brush to clean threads inside the barrel and use Super Lube to re-lube the breech plug so it doesn't seize in your barrel.

3. Lubricate.

Most importantly, use Bore Butter  to coat the inside of the barrel bore. This protects the barrel when it's stored for the season. More importantly Bore Butter actually seasons the barrel, just like you would a cast iron skillet.

Performing these steps as directed will reduce fouling, increase your accuracy and prolong the life of your firearm.

Maintaining your firearm is one of the secrets of accuracy.

1. The first time you take your muzzleloader out, clean it. Start by dropping the ramrod down the barrel bore, don't push it. You want to make sure that you’re not putting a load on a load. You never know what was left in there from your last excursion. Drop the ramrod in, don't force it and listen for the sound of metal hitting metal. When you hear that clinking sound it's empty.

2. Put a dry patch on the ramrod and run it down the barrel to get any excess lube out.

3. Fire a Primer off. Be sure to aim down range when doing so. Doing this gets rid of any condensation, moisture or lube that got into the breech plug. You're drying the barrel out and ensuring that you won't have a misfire.

Next, do a test fire, aim down range at the ground and fire the primer. There should be some movement visible on the ground, like a puff of wind hitting the grass or dirt.

Ready to load your first shot

1. You'll need 2 or 3 Pyrodex pellets, a Shockwave Bullet and a Sabot. We recommend that you put the t-handle on your ramrod to make it easier to push the load down.

2. Mark your seating depth before you remove the ramrod. With the ramrod still seated in the barrel, wrap a piece of tape around the ramrod at the point where it protrudes from the end of the barrel.

Doing this will show you how high the load was and can be used as a guide for getting the right combination for subsequent  shots. Too much powder will not let the ramrod seat to the same level sitting higher and not enough powder will want to sit down lower in the barrel. Using this simple method can save you a lot of frustration it gives you the consistency you need for good accuracy.

3. Remove the ramrod and get ready to take your first test shot. Load your ammunition. T/C recommends using 2 Pyrodex  pellets, then 1 Shockwave sabot for shooting under 150 yards. Use 3 Pyrodex pellets and a Shockwave bullet for distances above 150 yards. Put the 2 or 3 pellets down the bore then while supporting the barrel, push your bullet down.  

It's important not to push the load down forcefully. Use your arms to guide the load into place pushing until you feel the sabot touch the pellet. You don't want to crack the pellet. If you do, your shots will be erratic. Finally to make certain that the muzzleloader is properly seated, drop the ramrod down the barrel bore one last time, this extra tap provides a closed seat.

One last tip from the T/C Gunshop. When out in the field or range after every  shot, take a T17 pre-saturated patch, squeeze the liquid out of it and push it down the barrel with your ramrod, pull it out and flip it over. Squeeze the patch again and push it down the barrel again using your ramrod. Make sure to squeeze the patches out well so that no moisture can contact your powder. Lastly, run 2 dry patches through the barrel, one at a time.

 Load again and aim.

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