Cleaning the Muzzle Loading Shotgun
 
Cleaning black powder firearms will at first seem a bit of a chore. However with a little experience, patience and correct cleaning facilities to hand, adequate cleaning of the gun can be achieved relatively quickly. Cleaning the gun is a messy and smelly business (rotten egg smell from the sulphur) and is best done in a shed or garage.
 
Use of the kitchen or bathroom for this purpose may lead to domestic disputes!
 
Burnt black powder leaves a salty hygroscopic residue that will cause severe corrosion in gun bores if not properly cleaned after shooting. Given that the original guns are around 150 years old, it is essential to look after these guns – it's your turn now!
 
Ideally guns should be cleaned as soon as practicable after shooting, normally at the end of the day. If this is not possible the bore and other external metal parts should be thoroughly sprayed with WD40 to inhibit corrosion until proper cleaning can be carried out.
 
The metal work on original guns contains a lot of iron. In wet and humid conditions, the metal work can quickly develop a film of rust which for the enthusiastic muzzle loader is heart breaking to see. This can be avoided by wiping off rain with a dry towel and wiping the metal surfaces with WD40. Wet or damp guns must never be stored in this condition but should be allowed to dry before placing in the cabinet.
 
Cleaning the Barrel
 
To clean the gun remove the ramrod, place on half cock and remove the barrel. Obtain a bucket of warm water with a small amount of washing up liquid in it and place the barrel breech end into the water. Using a jug pour warm water down the bore until completely full. Using a cleaning rod and jag with either rag, or commercially available 4x2 cleaning patches, rod the jag up and down the bore. This will pump water in and out of the bore via the touch-hole or nipple. Black powder residue is readily dissolved in water. Proprietary black powder cleaning solvents are available but not really necessary. Remove the nipple from the breech plug using a nipple key and continue pumping water through the bore.
 
Remove the jag from the rod and fit a phosphor bronze bush. Work the brush up & down the bore to remove any stubborn fouling especially from any pitting in the bore. Flush the bore with clean water. Clean off residue from around the breech plug area using an old tooth brush or soft brass brush. Then remove the barrel from the bucket, stand upright and pour boiling water down the barrel. The barrel gets very hot and this stops any rusting and also helps dry the barrel parts. Warning! – use protective gloves & make sure barrel is secure and will not fall over – you can't hold on to a really hot barrel. Whilst the barrel is still hot, work a cleaning patch up and down the bore to completely dry the bore and work air through the inaccessible parts of the breech plug. Spray the bore with WD40 and also the barrel externals.
 
Clean the nipple in the bucket of water using a brass brush or toothbrush. Dry the nipple & refit to the breech plug using plumbers PTFE thread tape. The use of PTFE thread tape stops gas cutting & stops the nipple from becoming seized in. Warning! Do not forget to retrieve the nipple from the bucket before throwing the water away – it's easily done!
 

Cleaning the rest of the Gun
 
Clean off powder residue from the breech face and cock with water and a soft brush. Pay particular attention to thoroughly cleaning the inside of the cock cup which contacts the percussion cap. Avoid getting water on the woodwork. Dry off metal parts and wipe over with WD40. On flintlock guns that tend to be more dirty it is a good idea to remove the lock from the stock and immerse the entire lock in water. Using a toothbrush clean off all powder residue from internal / external surfaces. Dry the lock off and spray with WD40. Wipe off residual WD40 with kitchen roll paper. Sparingly lubricate moving lock parts with gun oil. Finally refit the lock.
 
Wipe off any excess WD40 from the barrel externals and refit barrel to stock. Refit ramrod and lower cock into the fired position.
 
Occasionally polish the stock with a proprietary wax based furniture polish.
 
Store gun muzzle down in the gun cabinet.
 

Remember - Safe shooting is no accident, keep it safe.