|
|
Clean Your Breech Plug
Last Post 14 Feb 2012 07:44 PM by Trigger50. 10 Replies. |
Sort:
|
|
 Prev Next |
You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
grandpops
Posts:864
 |
| 30 Dec 2011 07:26 PM |
|
I’m normally pretty meticulous about cleaning my firearms, particularly my smoke poles. I happened to pull up an article, a couple nights ago, from the Blackhorn 209 web site about cleaning the built up carbon from the breech plug with a 1/8 inch drill bit. So last night, while watching the boob tube, I decided what the heck and pulled the breech plug from my T/C Omega. Initial inspection appeared to be clean and shiny and the flash hole was clear. I normally boil the breech plug in soapy water and then run a pipe cleaner through the primer end and use a torch pick set to ensure the flash hole is clear. It surprised me when I tried to insert the drill bit into the breech plug and it would even start to go in. Hand twisting the drill bit, I couldn’t believe how much carbon I removed from inside the plug. I have another breech plug for this rifle, that I started having problems with a couple years ago, so I decided to check it out too. It also was restricted due to carbon buildup. The carbon buildup in the breech plugs was due to the primers. Black powder and most of its substitutes are water soluble and clean up with hot soapy water. Water hasn’t been cutting this.
http://www.blackhorn209.com/specs/b...-cleaning/
|
|
| Fred, Cleburne, Tx.
NRA Life Member, NAHC Life Member, DU, USN Vet, NRA Certified Instructor |
|
|
PA RIDGE RUNNER
Posts:1251
|
| 31 Dec 2011 07:37 AM |
|
I have only one muzzleloader that has a removable breech plug and clean it first with the rest of the rifle with hot soapy water but reserve that part to also be cleaned with modern rifle solvents for just that reason. It seems to work for me. I may try the drill bit though and see if any residue is in there. |
|
|
|
|
cayugad
Posts:449
|
| 31 Dec 2011 12:48 PM |
|
Breech plugs generally run to clean the flash channel as follows..
Knight rifles with the Lehigh conversion need a 5/32 drill bit.
CVA, Traditions, and Remington rifles use a 7/64 drill bit.
T/C rifles use a 1/8th drill bit as do some of the older Knight rifles.
Beside cleaning the flash hole with the drill bit I like to soak them in solvent. Then I take the end of a guitar string that I have clipped when setting new strings on my guitars. They come in six sizes and have a narrow end of course then a brass coiled end to them. They make a perfect nipple pick. And yesterday when I was on the range shooting my Genesis and it acted up, I could push that guitar string through the back of the breech plug and all the way through the plug into the powder. Make ignition nice. And since they are flexible, you can get into places without taking the gun apart. |
|
|
|
|
grandpops
Posts:864
|
| 31 Dec 2011 12:48 PM |
|
I thought mine were clean also, until I tried to run that drill bit in it and found out otherwise. |
|
| Fred, Cleburne, Tx.
NRA Life Member, NAHC Life Member, DU, USN Vet, NRA Certified Instructor |
|
|
steelheader
Posts:31
|
| 03 Jan 2012 09:39 AM |
|
After the final cleaning of the season I leave the plug and nipple out of the gun Til next season. I have seen to many "clean" guns come in before the season with their plug corroded in tight |
|
|
|
|
montveil
Posts:10
|
| 03 Jan 2012 12:24 PM |
|
I have used welding tip cleaners ~$5 at any place that has welders.
The best is to use the proper drill size. As stated you will be amazed at the carbon you remove.
After cleaning you may see a difference in POI as the primer will ignite the powder more effectively. In short, accuracy may increase also |
|
|
|
|
Alan
Posts:48
|
| 22 Jan 2012 08:53 AM |
|
I have also started to care for breech plug for my CVA Wolf after switching to BH209 exclusively. I bought a new plug and discovered flash hole did in fact accept 1/8" bit perfectly. I also bought a #32 bit and found it a little loose. Reading up on the issue further it seems the #32 drill bit is the tool to use after soaking the CVA plug in hot soapy water. I believe all breech plugs differ depending on brand name, but I think all CVA breech plugs are the same 1/8". I also believe the #32 bit is safer to use and although it does not remove all the BH209 crud, it also protects the plug from overdoing it. I also believe it to be prudent to purchase a spare plug just in case, and perhaps a new plug each year depending on use. Cheap insurance! |
|
|
|
|
grandpops
Posts:864
|
| 22 Jan 2012 06:02 PM |
|
Although the article I referred to was listed in the Blackhorn web site, my breech plug which was blocked the worst had never been used with Blackhorn 209 powder. The crud build-up in the breech plugs is due to the 209 primers not the powder. This tip of running a drill bit down the flash channel of your breech plug pertains to any breech plug that uses 209 shotgun primers regardless of what powder you use. |
|
| Fred, Cleburne, Tx.
NRA Life Member, NAHC Life Member, DU, USN Vet, NRA Certified Instructor |
|
|
Alan
Posts:48
|
| 24 Jan 2012 12:21 PM |
|
That"s good information grandpops; I always thought it was peculiar to BH-209. Makes sense though to keep breech plug clean regardless. |
|
|
|
|
logtown
Posts:22
|
| 02 Feb 2012 05:20 AM |
|
The right size drill bit and Brakecleaner works for me.209 primers are dirty,pop two on a clean bore and you have a fouled bore,good for that first shot. |
|
|
|
|
Trigger50
Posts:68
|
| 14 Feb 2012 07:44 PM |
|
This post made my investigate the breech plug on my NEF Huntsman. After every shot I run a straightened paper clip through the breech plug (at the range). I also just received a new breech plug that I ordered before reading this post. I was curious to compare the two.... Exactly the same. The old one probably has 150 shots ran through it. All I do is push a paper clip through and then soak it for a day or 2 in cleaner after a shooting session. The flash cannel seems much smaller than what you guys are describing on your guns. There's no way I could get a drill bit through the flash channel. |
|
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
|
|
|
|