modern Kentucky rifle.
- Thread starter hardek
- Start date
? All breech plugs are removable as far as I know, what's at question is how difficult are they to remove. Why do you want to remove it? Just askin'.
Boolitcaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
No.
Be carefull unscrewing the breech plugs on guns that have a drum type bolster. It is screwed into both the barrel and the breech plug. They are not intended to be removed. Also guns with a patent breech can be ruined trying to unscrew the plugs, and the barrel seal to the plug can be lost along with the orientation on the barrel flats.
They are not made and intended to be removed unless absolutely necessary !!!! Just don't do it.
I've got a flinter that was custom made by one of the local black powder shooters some years back. The breech uses a different sort of setup with the anchor set up with a round pin. That pin fits into the hex of a mondo big 9/16NF set screw. A crush washer provides a seal and the plug being removable makes for super duper easy push through cleaning.
I know it's not a traditional setup but it sure is a nice way to go.
I know it's not a traditional setup but it sure is a nice way to go.
Are you looking for percussion or flinchlock? On percussion guns, a piece of aquarium air line over the nipple, and placed in a bucket of hot soapy water works fantastic for cleaning. As you work the cleaning rod up and down the barrel, water is sucked up and ejected into the bucket. Makes cleaning a snap. When clean, use hot, clean water, which will rinse and help the barrel dry. A patch with Bore Butter, and you're good to go.
stevejones
Regular
- Location
- Courtenay, BC
I'm not sure about using bore butter as a protector. I've heard that it is not the best thing to use. Better of using a gun oil.
I've been using it since it came out, and never had a gun rust. Also, if you use only bore butter, and use no oil at all, the gun us easier to clean. Could be that I was just lucky, although if you have any BB around, you may want to try it next time, but keep an eye on the gun, and if it does show signs of rusting, then give it a good cleaning and go back to oil.
Edit
I googled and the consensus does seem to be that BB is not a metal protector. Maybe I just got lucky, so I will retract my recommendation. I'd hate to see a good gun rust because of something I wrote. I'm going to have to go down and check my charcoal burners (BTW, I only use the BB in my replicas, not my in-lines, and I only shoot real BP out of those.)
That's disturbing news. Bore Butter was touted as a metal protector when I started using it many years ago, and it seems to work for me. As you mentioned, cleaning the gun is much easier if it is completely oil-free and BB is used instead. It may not be as good a rust-prevention agent as petroleum-based products, but I've never had a problem with rust in my muzzleloaders while using it. In all honesty, though, I am a bit OC about cleaning and maintaining my guns after shooting black powder, which is all I use in them.
I pull the breech plugs on my traditional muzzle loaders to clean them. I know they are clean when I'm done. They wouldn't be threaded if they weren't supposed to be disassembled. Just take care and don't wreck anything.
That reassures me, as it is exactly my experience. Wonder why others have had bad experiences?
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
I think a big reason people have problems with breech plugs is because they never remove them. When/if the time comes should it have to be removed, it's usually seized in so bad that one has a hell of a time. Kind of like never using an emergency brake on a car. Use it once and there you sit.
So... How would they be installed after boring / Rifling the barrel if they were not threaded ? When you pull the plug how do you ensure the barrel to plug seal is intact ? Each time a plug is pulled you will alter the sealing surfaces . These plugs are not intended to be removed like an inline is, and never have been.
Time is your friend when cleaning a black powder rifle. When cleaning my trade rifle I put a round toothpick in the touch hole and fill the barrel with hot soap and water. Then I have a cup of coffee or two. Just remember to let the rifle stand muzzle up. Pore the water out and run a dry patch down. Let it sit 30 seconds or so to absorb water and remove the toothpick. Run a few more wet patches down. Dry it really well and oil. Should be clean as anything.
Some breeches are slightly narrower than the bore. If so, take a jag and file it down until it just fits the breech hole(From the bore end). When you've done that cut it in half lengthwise for about 1/2". this will make a scraper that will allow you to get right to the bottom of the breech to get any additional fouling. One last thing - some breeches have a round bottom. If yours does you'll have to radius the end of the scrapper to fit.
Cleaning a black powder rifle is actually quicker once you get the hang of it. No copper fouling to get rid of and the residue dissolves quickly in soap and water. Just don't let the rifle sit more than a few hours after shooting or it'll start to rust.
Some breeches are slightly narrower than the bore. If so, take a jag and file it down until it just fits the breech hole(From the bore end). When you've done that cut it in half lengthwise for about 1/2". this will make a scraper that will allow you to get right to the bottom of the breech to get any additional fouling. One last thing - some breeches have a round bottom. If yours does you'll have to radius the end of the scrapper to fit.
Cleaning a black powder rifle is actually quicker once you get the hang of it. No copper fouling to get rid of and the residue dissolves quickly in soap and water. Just don't let the rifle sit more than a few hours after shooting or it'll start to rust.
