Cleaning question

[bluejack]

First time cleaning my new Kibler SMR. Poured warm water down barrel and set it aside for awhile(plugged touch hole first) When I got back to gun, a black streak had run out of the end of the lollipop tang-stained my beautiful new stock.The darn stuff won`t come off.Where did it come from?? Can`t have this! Probably call Jim Kibler tomorrow and ask him also. Thanks

 

[garypl]

I would guess the touchhole wasn’t sealed as good as you thought!

 

[Roughneck]

Definitely coming from the touchhole

 

[Ranger94]

I use a pipe cleaner rather than a toothpick.

 

[Kansas Kid]

Either touch hole or poor fitted breach plug.

 

[fillwa]

Happened to me a couple times. Now when I do the "soak" I make certain the touch hole facing forward and the rifle is laying at a steep angle. When I drain I drain out the muzzle.
I was able to buff the streak out.

 

[Spikebuck]

Either touch hole or poor fitted breach plug.

If you are sure that it did not seep past the toothpick and come from the touch hole, then the only other cause would be that it seeped through the plug threads and came out the tang.

 

[Dave Marsh]

I switched to this as I got tired of leaky toothpicks, feathers and pipe cleaners. No streaks any longer. Cleaning trick that may be useful....(Required components list)

 

[bluejack]

I switched to this as I got tired of leaky toothpicks, feathers and pipe cleaners. No streaks any longer. Cleaning trick that may be useful....(Required components list)

Sounds great -I`ll give this a try-thanks for the info.

 

[Art Caputo]

For the touch hole, I use a piece Saran Wrap or a thin plastic bag placed over the blunted tip of a tooth pick to serve as a gasket. Seals very well. Might also be a breach plug leak. Also, it can be difficult to pour water or solvent down the barrel of a small bore(even with a funnel) due to cavitation, causing solvent to run the length of the barrel/tang. Although the black coloration on the stock would more likely originate from the flash hole or breach plug.

 

[rafterob]

Same happened to me a a new build. I had not sealed the finish of BLO. I was able to wipe the stain out with alcohol on a rag, but of course that removed the BLO and most of the original color stain. That area refinished nicely and blends in so you would never know it. Then I waxed the stock. First coat I melted the paste wax and rubbed it in vigorously, buffed when dry. Then I did a second coat in the normal manner. Have had some fouled water run on it since with no stain resulting.

 

[Jaeger]

For the touch hole, I use a piece Saran Wrap or a thin plastic bag placed over the blunted tip of a tooth pick to serve as a gasket. Seals very well. Might also be a breach plug leak. Also, it can be difficult to pour water or solvent down the barrel of a small bore(even with a funnel) due to cavitation, causing solvent to run the length of the barrel/tang. Although the black coloration on the stock would more likely originate from the flash hole or breach plug.

Good tip! I might try a little square of Teflon plumber's tape over a toothpick.

 

[JCKelly]

By the way, WARM water tends to rust steel. Blackpowder residue itself is slightly better dissolved with cold water.

 

[EC121]

I use a round, wooden toothpick for a vent plug, but I put grease on the end of it as a sealer.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I use beeswax on a round toothpick. It gives the tooth pick a sweet taste afterward!

 

[rickpa]

I dip the toothpick in water for a couple seconds to swell it before plugging the hole then take a small pad of paper towel and lay it in the pan and close the frizzen. Any leaks are caught by the paper towel. I remove the lock after cleaning the barrel.

 

[hanshi]

I've always used a toothpick with generally excellent results. But I also wrap the breech area in paper towels.

 

[Carbon 6]

Never let a barrel "soak" with water in it.

Use the dump and pour method instead.
This should also be a lesson for wiping between shots.

 

[Percy]

I hesitate to comment but pouring water in the barrel may be historically correct but we are not in the 1700's or 1800"s. When I first got into flintlocks an "old Timer" told me when cleaning a muzzleloader forget the "soaking with water" just spray a patch with 409 or Fantastic and swab the barrel, repeat with a clean patch or 2 until clean. Swab with WD40 and finish with an oil based swap. In 12 years I've never had a rust problem! If I need to swab between shots I just spray a patch with 409 or Fantastic and swab, works great. Give it a try, maybe you'll like it. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[Carbon 6]

Where does this "soaking in water" come from ?
I've been doing this gig for 50 years, first I've heard of it.
Clean with water, fine
soak in water, no
We are cleaning a gun not doing the dishes.