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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - August 17 2003 : 08:50:58 AM
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I've picked up bits & pieces, here & there ... what's really been impressed upon me - a novice newbie - is the importance of keeping the rifle clean ...
So, I know to keep the vent hole clear, and to use cleaning patches run down the barrel after each & every use [NOT after every shot, correct?] ...
What do you guys do to keep your piece clean & safe to use? All tips appreciated!
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Fitz Williams
Colonial Militia
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - August 17 2003 : 10:11:48 AM
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| You can clean with plain ole water. Works just as well (maybe better) than anything you can buy. Lube was usually done with some kind of rendered grease or oil. Olive oil, while it is maybe not quite correct, was around then, and doesn't smell, and won't go rancid. Whale oil is tough to find. Some people plug the vent with a toothpick while loading, then remove it and prime. I like to load, then use a vent pick to "work" the load a little before priming. As for toothpicks, I used to use them to plug the vent for cleaning, until I realized that "toothpicks" grow all around me. Now I find a suitable twig, and with a little shaping from my neckknife, I have a plug for the vent. Use English flints. Track of the Wolf sells good quality knapping. With a Colonial or Queen Ann lock, you can get 70 or 80 shots off one flint without having to touch it up. Just remember to wipe the bottom of the flint occasionally, because fouling builds up there. You can wrap the flint with leather or lead to hold it in the jaws of the lock. Either seems to work well. There are all sorts of cleaning attachments you can buy, like reallyu nice worm and puller sets. I like those things, and I have a lot of them, but I never use them. You will see what I mean! |
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CT•Ranger
Colonial Militia
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
October 14 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - August 18 2003 : 01:26:23 AM
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| Like Fitz said, just plain ole water. I have an 18th century style worm I attach to my wiping stick, wrap a hank of tow around it, dunk it in some water and slide it up and down the barrel. Change the tow maybe a couple times til it comes out clean, then a dry one, and then some oil. |
YMHS,
Connecticut•Ranger
Thomas Thacher
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The Care & Feeding Of A Rifled Muzzleloader
