cleaning and rust prevention

So sorry because this has probably been hashed over since the first muzzle loader came into existence however,I am more concerned now then in the past about how to clean a muzzle loader and what to use for a rust prevention for storage.I have been using hot soapy water for cleaning and coating the barrel with bore butter for storage.I recently ran a patch through my barrels after a six month storage and discovered that they came out brownish red.I remember putting the rifles away,only after patches came out clean and white and then coating with bore butter.I have heard,not to use petroleum based products for cleaning and storage but then on the other hand,what should I use?I am looking for suggestion from the experienced smoke pole fans as to what works for them.I know that some of you have some rather expensive muzzle loaders and would not do anything that would harm them.

I wouldn't go that long in storage without swabbing the bore again but thats me. At least once a month I swab with patches soaked with "Barricade" from Birchwood Casey and wipe the outside down.

yep Barricade. Bore butter isnt worth a snot for anything.

I am now using Barricade as patch lube and it does excellent. No greasy mess either.

Is it possible that the bore-butter itself has changed color, and that's what you're seeing??????

I use pure neatsfoot oil(Not compound)Some bear oil I have or olive oil in a pinch.Run a patch down once a month.My muskets clean super easy.

This is a pretty common complaint from those who use Bore Butter for rust prevention in long term storage. I used to use it and had the same thing happen.

First of all, Bore Butter is not intended for rust prevention over a long period of time. If there is any water left in the bore, Bore Butter can cover it up, leaving it to form rust. If you're going to use Bore Butter for long term storage it's very important to be sure the bore is very dry.

Second, I don't believe the brownish red color the OP found (and I found in my guns) is rust. I think is actually just the Bore Butter aging in place, with perhaps some dirt or dust on the surface.

Anyway, I've switched to Barricade - no more problems.

Once when I first got on this forum I was given this advice: 100% clean, 100% dry, 100% lubed. I clean with tepid water, occasionally a bit of dishsoap, dry with dry patches and alcohol (91% ONLY) and lube with ballistol or remoil, longterm storage: grease. Gave up borebutter 15 years ago due to rusting. Good smoke, Ron

Thank you one and all.You have offered a lot of sound advice for me.I was always worried about the old saying that petroleum and black powder cause tar in a barrel.I am hearing more and more about the use of the barricade product though.I have some Sheath on hand and wonder how that stacks up to Barricade.

Sheath and Barricade are the same thing.

BTW, you can use petroleum based oil for rust protection, but you must be sure and clean it out before firing the gun with black powder (or a black powder substitute). The problem with the low distillate petroleum oils and black powder is that the combustion temperature of black powder is too low to completely burn the oil. What you get is a partially burned compound that's a tar.

High distillates are burned completely and don't leave the tar residue. Mineral oil is one example of a high distillate; mineral oil based compounds can be used quite effectively with black powder. Ballistol is based on mineral oil and is the basis for my patch lube. I used to use it for my rust preventative also, but switched to Barricade recently and have found it to work well. I now use Barricade for both black powder and smokeless powder guns and Ballistol continues to be my patch lube base.

If you feel more comfortable using a good gun oil for a long term rust preventative just be sure to clean it out thoroughly before firing the gun.

Thank you very much.I feel quite confident in the use of your recommendations for cleaning and rust prevention and will apply them to my cleaning method.
It has been a pleasure.

I use bore butter, but I don't put my rifles in to long-term storage. They always get a look-see every month or two if they sit idle...which they mostly don't. I would switch to barricade like the others recommend for the storage duration you're talking about.

Rusty Spur 82 said:

Thank you very much.I feel quite confident in the use of your recommendations for cleaning and rust prevention and will apply them to my cleaning method.
It has been a pleasure.

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Rusty, I love that reply. I think you must be meek, kind, polite and patient - all attributes we should all strive for.

Bore butter is not a good long term rust preventative. It dries out, cracks and flakes off the metal.

I clean all mine with water and Murphys oil soap followed by a good lubing with a petroleum based oil. I've done it this way for over 30 years and do not get rust.

I wonder if Rusty has had any rust?

He asked this in 2010 and has not posted since 2011, but maybe he needs all of our advice....

Seasoning a barrel is BS! Modern steels don't need it!

Sun City said:

Seasoning a barrel is BS! Modern steels don't need it!

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I've said that for years, and sometimes I'll still get thrashed!