Hunting for Opinions

[Danny Bradbury]

Get it? Hunting? I'll show myself out.

Howdy folks. Rabid shooter from Idaho here, but just now getting into the black powder fun.

So in no particular order I reckon I'll just scattershot a few questions to those that actually know what they're doing.

I have a Traditions .50 G4 Pursuit NW Magnum. That's a mouthful. I've swapped out what I'm calling a musket cap breech plug for a 209 primer breech plug. Currently shooting 270gr Federal BoreLok on 100gr of 777 pellets. Threw a Nikon 3x9 on it for reasons. In truth I just loved the idea of camo scope rings. And my eyes are tired. Scopes good. Eyes bad.

Question 1. Am I needing to clean the heck out of the barrel between shots? I can't say I'm thrilled with the groups being shot, but don't know if i should be playing with different powders/charges or if, in this world, you can't group without cleaning between shots.

Question 2. Is there anything preventing me from using modern solvents and cleaners/rust inhibitors on this bad boy? Eezox, G96, Hoppes? In conjunction with Traditions cleaners, I mean.

Question 3. What are your range cleaning practices? Ramrod or range rod? 50 brush or 20ga brush? Presaturated pads that get stuck or cut your own? I love to hear people's routines that have comfortably mastered a process.


Thanks everyone it's a peach to find a community online to be able to talk to. Take it easy.


Danny

 

[billraby]

My opinion is to trade it in for a proper gun that is not made out of plastic.

 

[Zonie]

Well, I'm glad you joined us.

One problem though. The only guns we are allowed to talk about on the forum are the kind that was in use in 1865 and earlier.
Your NW Magnum is a modern style gun that doesn't fit that requirement so we can't talk about it or the modern ammunition it is designed to shoot.

That said and talking about muzzleloading guns in general, no. You really shouldn't need to clean the heck out of the barrel between shots but a lot of people shooting lead bullets (which we can talk about) find they need to run a damp (not dripping wet) patch down the bore, let it rest for a few seconds and then pull it back out in one continuous pull. (Never pump the cleaning patch up and down the bore. Doing this will knock off some fouling that will plug up the breech vent). After the fouled wiping patch is removed, run one dry patch down and up the bore to dry it before you reload.

Modern solvents made for cleaning modern smokeless powder will not work very well. Black powder and synthetic black powder leaves several different salts in the fouling and oil based cleaners won't dissolve these. Plain water or water with a bit of dishwashing soap added will dissolve these salts and wash them away. There are also some commercial cleaners that are made for black powder like Hoppe's No 9 Black Powder Gun Bore Cleaner that work well.
One cleaner I do NOT recommend is Thompson Center #13 Bore Cleaner. I've used it and it seems to form a bad coating of surface rust in my guns before I even have a chance to wipe the bores dry.

Usually the wooden ramrod that comes with traditional style guns aren't very good. In fact, many of them have "grain runout" which can cause them to split along the grain and stab the poor person that is using it.
Metal ramrods don't cause a problem so they are commonly used at the shooting ranges. I do recommend using a tapered crown protector on these metal rods to keep them from causing wear in the bore at the muzzle.

OK. Now, getting back to your problem. There is another muzzleloading site that is set up for modern muzzleloaders. Our forums owner also owns this one and it looks like it is a good one. Not that I'm trying to drive you away. In fact we would be more than happy for you to stick around. Who knows? You might even get interested in the old time guns we like so much.

Here's a link to the modern site.

https://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/

 

[Danny Bradbury]

Firstly, thanks so much for the cordial response and redirect.

I do have a couple CVA Hawken style 50s as well. Maybe they fit the bill a bit better? They're reproductions, so maybe not.

I'll be back after I get this newfangled one sorted. I had an issue on Reddit as well where the comments were just "throw it out and get a real one, " so your manners were a breath of fresh air and much appreciated.


See you soon, thankee.

 

[ppg1949]

Well, I'm glad you joined us.

One problem though. The only guns we are allowed to talk about on the forum are the kind that was in use in 1865 and earlier.
Your NW Magnum is a modern style gun that doesn't fit that requirement so we can't talk about it or the modern ammunition it is designed to shoot.

That said and talking about muzzleloading guns in general, no. You really shouldn't need to clean the heck out of the barrel between shots but a lot of people shooting lead bullets (which we can talk about) find they need to run a damp (not dripping wet) patch down the bore, let it rest for a few seconds and then pull it back out in one continuous pull. (Never pump the cleaning patch up and down the bore. Doing this will knock off some fouling that will plug up the breech vent). After the fouled wiping patch is removed, run one dry patch down and up the bore to dry it before you reload.

Modern solvents made for cleaning modern smokeless powder will not work very well. Black powder and synthetic black powder leaves several different salts in the fouling and oil based cleaners won't dissolve these. Plain water or water with a bit of dishwashing soap added will dissolve these salts and wash them away. There are also some commercial cleaners that are made for black powder like Hoppe's No 9 Black Powder Gun Bore Cleaner that work well.
One cleaner I do NOT recommend is Thompson Center #13 Bore Cleaner. I've used it and it seems to form a bad coating of surface rust in my guns before I even have a chance to wipe the bores dry.

Usually the wooden ramrod that comes with traditional style guns aren't very good. In fact, many of them have "grain runout" which can cause them to split along the grain and stab the poor person that is using it.
Metal ramrods don't cause a problem so they are commonly used at the shooting ranges. I do recommend using a tapered crown protector on these metal rods to keep them from causing wear in the bore at the muzzle.

OK. Now, getting back to your problem. There is another muzzleloading site that is set up for modern muzzleloaders. Our forums owner also owns this one and it looks like it is a good one. Not that I'm trying to drive you away. In fact we would be more than happy for you to stick around. Who knows? You might even get interested in the old time guns we like so much.

Here's a link to the modern site.

https://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/

Zonie, thanks for MM forum. I went there and joined because they have some traditional info. It's a lot better than the other one I went to. I think the other site might be dying as most of the post are old. Plus I had to explain why I wanted to join. Oh well, this is my favorite forum.
Thanks again.

 

[Grenadier1758]

We can talk about the CVA Hawken Hunter since it is in the style of a traditional muzzle loader made before 1865.

 

[Zonie]

Firstly, thanks so much for the cordial response and redirect.

I do have a couple CVA Hawken style 50s as well. Maybe they fit the bill a bit better? They're reproductions, so maybe not.

I'll be back after I get this newfangled one sorted. I had an issue on Reddit as well where the comments were just "throw it out and get a real one, " so your manners were a breath of fresh air and much appreciated.


See you soon, thankee.

Basically, any side hammer, underhammer or side hammer (mule ear) style gun fits right into the 1865 and earlier style muzzleloaders we talk about so your CVA Hawken style guns are perfect.
Some of us do own old original guns but I'd say 99.8 percent of our members own and shoot reproductions that are newer than 1970.

 

[Dillon W.]

Although, I’m a bit biased when it comes to muzzleloaders, I’d treat that thing like a modern centerfire. Try a different bullet.

 

[smo]

I’ve got some bondo left over from a car project, it would be good the clean the bore of whatever that thing was he called it..

 

[brewer12345]

Zonie, I had never heard the advice never to pump the cleaning patch up and down (which is exactly what I was doing). I think that helps plug up the butt end of the barrel as you suggest. Thanks.