Orient Express Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 I only started shooting (real) BP last year and shot a few matches with it. My one big concern was cleaning up afterwards. I've started liberally spraying my revolvers and SxS with Ballistol/water in between stages and below is the result at the end of a 5-stage match. At home I give it a quick wipe over with a rag. I can't complain about the results. I used to run hot water down through everything and then re-oil with Ballistol but now I won't bother. I'm not sure how the internals look though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Stainless steel is pretty forgiving with black powder fouling. I use household spray cleaner with vinegar. Moving parts are lubed with Ballistol. Never any rust. Bore snakes are washed and dried after every use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329 Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 There's lots of ways to clean your guns after shooting BP, and most of them work pretty well. Find what works best for you, & go with it. Depending on the gun, I use Windex with vinegar, hot soapy water, moose milk, and a variety of patches, brushes, and q-tips. I relube the guns with Ballistol or WD-40, and it has worked for me for 40+ years --Dawg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erasmus Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 I usually just use hot moose milk, or if things are particularly bad; soapy water (Dawn detergent) and THEN hot moose milk. I think that as the hot water evaporates from the moose milk it leaves behind a nice film of Ballistol. The only time I've had a rust issue was with shooting Pyrodex RS in my shotgun and cleaning with only water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Windex multi-surface with vinegar is the best BP cleaner made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Looks good to me . I took all my guns apart and filled up the internals with Mobil one synthetic grease. I spray them down with Ballistol and water to keep them clean . The Mobil one synthetic grease keeps all the fouling out of the internals. I take them apart and clean the internals once a year . No problem ever found . So Saith The Rooster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 I have no use for WD-40 on firearms, as it is not a lubricant. And not much of a rust preventative. Fine for breaking a nut free, though, if I can't find some PB Blaster. I clean BP with PAM mix. Hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and Murphy's Oil Soap in equal volumes. Don't have to re-oil after cleaning due to the oil soap. Very economical compared to most shooting cleaners. It's a great grease cutter on kitchen stoves and BBQ grills, too. good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunger Dan Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 So, do y'all who are shooting 45 colt BP and using an 1873 rifle-do you tear down to the internals and remove bolt and firing pin to clean each time? I didnt once and only sprayed ballistol into the works-that got me some corrosion permanent discoloration spots on the bolt when I pulled it out the next month. How do you handle the 1873 cleaning with BP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantankerous Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 1 hour ago, Lunger Dan said: So, do y'all who are shooting 45 colt BP and using an 1873 rifle-do you tear down to the internals and remove bolt and firing pin to clean each time? I didnt once and only sprayed ballistol into the works-that got me some corrosion permanent discoloration spots on the bolt when I pulled it out the next month. How do you handle the 1873 cleaning with BP? With BP and my 45 Colt '73s I do take off side plates and disassemble and clean all small parts. Usually after just one day of shooting. Did it really need it? Maybe? Probably? Makes me feel better about going into day two of a multi day match though. Everyday before casing the rifle I'll hold the rifle muzzle down and run water/soap mix through the barrel from the open action. I'll do that a couple times or until water coming out is clean(ish)... usually black upon first rinse... then run a bore snake through several times and spray with Ballistol. Seems to work fine and easy enough to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Spade Mikey Wilson Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 I have to admire the dedication of all of you pards and shooting BP. WAY to much work for me with loading and cleaning BP every match. I'll stick to smokeless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Going into too much work and stinky products than necessary. Wash out with hot water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantankerous Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 1 hour ago, High Spade Mikey Wilson said: I have to admire the dedication of all of you pards and shooting BP. WAY to much work for me with loading and cleaning BP every match. I'll stick to smokeless. Its generally much easier and more enjoyable than say, yardwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 L. Dan, Well, I just turn my '73 upside down in the Gun Vise with a paper towel under the mortice. Squirt the bore with ample PAM, then run a PAM soaked patch thru the bore about three times, dry patch, oily patch, DONE. aCAVEAT: ALL of my .45 cases are ANNEALED. The rifles shoot cleaner than a Dash Caliber. Never any Blow-By back into the action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Sometime in the first few days after a match... I'll run a wet bore brush covered by a patch thru each shotgun barrel several times... then a dry one or two, then an oily one. Put it away in the safe... Done. For the '73 (45 Colt), I take the carrier out, brush out the mortise and it with a brass brush, run a jag with a wet patch thru the bore a few times, then a dry one or two, then an oily one. Relube the internals with Lucas "RedNTacky" synthetic grease), leave the carrier dry, and put it in the safe... Done. EDITED TO ADD: 1st thing I do is go out in the back yard and fire off the two unfired chambers, (if I forget to do that at the range). Then I take the 1851s, down to the frame, take off the nipples, remove the wedge, & ram rod and wash the cylinder & barrel with hot water, put the nipples (SlixShot) in the sonic cleaner while I wipe off the frame, run a wet patch thru the barrel & each chamber a couple of times, then a dry patch or two, and finally in the barrel I run an oily patch, a dab of grease on the threads of the nipples, reattach, grease the arbor with the same Lucas grease, cram some more around the bolt & hand slots, and reassemble... put it away in the safe... Done. Not work... relaxing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tequila Shooter Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 7 hours ago, Lunger Dan said: So, do y'all who are shooting 45 colt BP and using an 1873 rifle-do you tear down to the internals and remove bolt and firing pin to clean each time? I didnt once and only sprayed ballistol into the works-that got me some corrosion permanent discoloration spots on the bolt when I pulled it out the next month. How do you handle the 1873 cleaning with BP? 3 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said: L. Dan, Well, I just turn my '73 upside down in the Gun Vise with a paper towel under the mortice. Squirt the bore with ample PAM, then run a PAM soaked patch thru the bore about three times, dry patch, oily patch, DONE. aCAVEAT: ALL of my .45 cases are ANNEALED. The rifles shoot cleaner than a Dash Caliber. Never any Blow-By back into the action. I’m with CC on this one, I anneal my cases and get almost 0 blowback. After I started annealing I would open the rifle to clean it only to find it was already clean, now I don’t bother and open it up only 1-2x/year. For the barrel just a little soapy water, then a little gun oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shoer 27979 Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Something I also do is, I carry a whiskey flask with PAM ( I don't drink so it works for me) and at the loading table I dribble a little PAM on the mortise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancy Shot, SASS #67163 Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 2 hours ago, The Shoer 27979 said: Something I also do is, I carry a whiskey flask with PAM ( I don't drink so it works for me) and at the loading table I dribble a little PAM on the mortise There is a method I won't be using. What if I got two flasks confused? On second thought, with the cheap whiskey I drink, I might not even notice. Chancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Maverick Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 8 hours ago, Warden Callaway said: Going into too much work and stinky products than necessary. Wash out with hot water. If I did this my wife would kill me and sell all my guns for a dollar. TM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc McCoy, SASS #8381 Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 I used to use PAM, then switched to Moose milk, now I use Ballihol (Ballistol & alcohol). Like someone said about hot moose milk, the alcohol evaporates quickly and leaves the Ballistol behind. This is cap n ball with a ‘73 rifle in 38/40. I never do any cleaning of any kind during the day at a match. Sometimes I don’t have time to clean on Saturday night in a busy weekend match. I may take a couple days (or more) after the match to get around to cleaning. Usually by Wednesday. Now, I’m not saying that I recommend my timing, it just works in my case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 i learned a bunch from this thread - thanks , ive always resented the extra time and effort of black but i see the appeal , ive even started messin with it a bit , i now knowa bit more from all of your posts , thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 On 7/12/2023 at 9:26 AM, Dantankerous said: Its generally much easier and more enjoyable than say, yardwork. Absolutely! I shoot APP - BP substitute. I also sell it. I’d love to use real BP however, I can’t have inventory or travel with it like I can the sub. APP is also non-corrosive and doesn’t require immediate cleaning. Like @Garrison Joe, SASS #60708, I use PAM. It’s amazing. It takes me FAR LESS TIME to clean all 4 guns after a day of shooting frontier cartridge gunfighter than a day of shooting smokeless. Plus, ITS SO MUCH FUN!!! Come to the dark side! Hugs! Scarlett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 14 hours ago, watab kid said: i learned a bunch from this thread - thanks , ive always resented the extra time and effort of black but i see the appeal , ive even started messin with it a bit , i now knowa bit more from all of your posts , thank you Come to the Black Powder Match at Paradise Pass the end of August! Fire and Brimstone! Etna Green, IN. It’s gonna be so much fun. And, since you’re ALMOST hooked on BP… for YOU, @Little Iron Lucille and I will assist you with the cleaning of your firearms! Now THAT is a deal you can’t pass up! If you need help with shotshells, ammo… let me know. We can help you there, too. Super big hugs! Scarlett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 On 7/11/2023 at 7:35 PM, Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329 said: There's lots of ways to clean your guns after shooting BP, and most of them work pretty well. Find what works best for you, & go with it.... Indeed. Pretty much anything with water in it will work (all the mentions of windex with vinegar - main ingredient: water!). I occasionally use Walmart's version of windex with vinegar but mostly use hot water and/or moosemilk, then lube with Ballistol. I can't stand the smell of straight Ballistol, so if cleaning indoors I must have a fan blowing. I shoot both BP and smokeless in my guns, and Ballistol works with smokeless as well (takes longer to dissolve smokeless fouling so it's a little slower). I used to clean when I got home after the match, but now I spray the bores, chambers, and actions with Ballistol before putting the guns in their cases after the match, then I will clean them a few days or weeks later. The Ballistol keeps all the fouling soft and cleanup is still very easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 12 hours ago, Scarlett said: Come to the Black Powder Match at Paradise Pass the end of August! Fire and Brimstone! Etna Green, IN. It’s gonna be so much fun. And, since you’re ALMOST hooked on BP… for YOU, @Little Iron Lucille and I will assist you with the cleaning of your firearms! Now THAT is a deal you can’t pass up! If you need help with shotshells, ammo… let me know. We can help you there, too. Super big hugs! Scarlett as always scarlett is right , i would love to accept your generous offer but ill be in wisconsin shooting fire in the hills , i think it would be a marvelous time and the company of you two would be most welcome , i know im missing an opportunity of a lifetime , thank you for the offer , hope to see you again soon , by the way , i put my scarlett is right sticker from PITV in a highly vissible ;location and have had a number of folks asking what you were right about - ive told them everything , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 On 7/12/2023 at 11:15 PM, Scarlett said: Absolutely! I shoot APP - BP substitute. I also sell it. I’d love to use real BP however, I can’t have inventory or travel with it like I can the sub. APP is also non-corrosive and doesn’t require immediate cleaning. Come to the dark side! Hugs! Scarlett I shot real black powder for many many years . I too switched to APP and love using it , I just miss the FLAMES lol . Clean up is easy and you can use the same bullet you load for smokeless . Do yourself a favor and contact Scarlett and give APP a try . You will be sold on it too . So Saith The Rooster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 11 hours ago, watab kid said: by the way , i put my Scarlett is right sticker from PITV in a highly visible ;location and have had a number of folks asking what you were right about - I've told them everything You sweet thing. You sound like my husband...except that he hasn't accepted that I am right about EVERYTHING... when he forgets, I point to the sticker. Hugs! Scarlett PS We cannot WAIT to come back to Peace in the Valley! We LOVED it! The North Dakota/South Dakota state match was a blast! See you in 2024! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel-eye Steve SASS #40674 Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 On 7/12/2023 at 8:10 PM, Doc McCoy, SASS #8381 said: I used to use PAM, then switched to Moose milk, now I use Ballihol (Ballistol & alcohol). Like someone said about hot moose milk, the alcohol evaporates quickly and leaves the Ballistol behind. This is cap n ball with a ‘73 rifle in 38/40. I never do any cleaning of any kind during the day at a match. Sometimes I don’t have time to clean on Saturday night in a busy weekend match. I may take a couple days (or more) after the match to get around to cleaning. Usually by Wednesday. Now, I’m not saying that I recommend my timing, it just works in my case. I’m surprised the alcohol doesn’t breakdown the Ballistol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted July 17 Share Posted July 17 On 7/14/2023 at 11:56 AM, Scarlett said: You sweet thing. You sound like my husband...except that he hasn't accepted that I am right about EVERYTHING... when he forgets, I point to the sticker. Hugs! Scarlett PS We cannot WAIT to come back to Peace in the Valley! We LOVED it! The North Dakota/South Dakota state match was a blast! See you in 2024! ill hold you to that visit next year , i enjoyed meeting you and your husband this year , i am from MN but agree those ND/SD folk are terrific hosts , i have a lot of great friends there and also in WI - headed there next month for the WOWS FITH - you should consider coming there sometime , you would like those folks too , not to mention the MN state shoot in Kimball that i never make due to working a shoot at our gunclub - some of the same folks but a lot of local good folks , if i hear your coming ill adjust my schedule , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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