My son's bought me a black powder revolver years ago. After cleaning that THING the first few times I lost all my enthusiasm. What I want to know is why do you like black powder so much. I'M not being snotty I just don't understand. 
Cleaning
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
G
Guest
·Cleaning is no worse then detailing any other gun. I spend as much time on a Bushmaster as a Flintlock. It's all in your routine and set-up. I can clean a Ruger Old Army about as fast as a Superblackhawk. It is more work with the handguns, but worth it. I also find that keeping a mixture of alcohol, murphy's oil soap, and hydrogen peroxide helps. At the range, I just spray and wipe down my guns with green (vinegar based windex) cut half and half with water. I also quickly patch my guns at the range...
Who knows, if the current situation continues in Washington...we all better get used to these routines. At least for the guns we want to shoot in public
Giz
Who knows, if the current situation continues in Washington...we all better get used to these routines. At least for the guns we want to shoot in public
Giz
Joined
·
8,737 Posts
I have quit shooting my 36 caliber for that very reason. The 44 gets shot because,,,, there is nothing else like it. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from loading each cylinder chamber with more deliberation/care than just chucking brass and bullets into the Dillon 550B.
The routine of cleaning is, as Giz stated, about as easy as any other revolver after a long range session. It's just the smell that's a bit off
The routine of cleaning is, as Giz stated, about as easy as any other revolver after a long range session. It's just the smell that's a bit off
Joined
·
2,372 Posts
Have you been shooting the Real stuff - Genuine Black Powder - or have you been shooting Pyrodex or one of the many other substitutes?c pierce said:What I want to know is why do you like black powder so much. I'M not being snotty I just don't understand.
All of the substitutes I've tried are corrosive. Period. They are a bi--- to clean up - requiring much scrubbing and even a follow-up cleaning or two several days later to prevent fine rust or corrosion of some sort from forming in the bore and other places where bare metal is exposed! Based on my experience, most so-called BP cleanup nightmares revolve not around Black Powder but use of one of these substitutes. A humid climate seems to accelerate this.
Black powder creates sulphuric salts when burned, but these residues are not particularly corrosive - nothing even close to what Pyrodex residues are capable of doing. The worst factor concerning BP residues is that they are hygroscopic and readily absorb atmospheric moisture if left in place - which will begin to cause rust in time, but not immediately. On several week-long hunts, I have performed half-a$$ed cleanings of BP residue - but nothing thorough - with absolutely no ill effect. You cannot get away with this when using a substitute. The substitutes I'm experienced with require thorough and immediate cleanings and follow-up!
All that being said, BP residue is very easy to clean up. It wipes right off the exterior with a clean cloth and readily dissolves and swabs right out of the bore. The green Windex is an excellent tip - as is the Murphy's/Peroxide/Alcohol concoction for the bore. I use these products for initial cleaning - then follow up later with a good swabbing with Hoppes #9 and a fine-grade protective oil - just like it was my .30-30.
It has been many years since I have performed the ol' soapy scrub-down in the kitchen sink routine - not necessary for a 6-gun, IMO. Besides, any water remaining in the innards of the action will cause rusting - which will eventually be blamed on evil, smelly, and "corrosive" Black Powder.
xtm
G
Guest
·C.
Ahhhh, the mysteries of shooting pure and true BP vs. the modern man-made concoctions
Truth be told, many of us would rather spend a day shooting the BP guns then our modern ones. Can't put a finger on it for sure, but think it is the pace that makes the difference. Every shot is earned, and as such won or lost. Perhaps the effort required to place one on the mark counts much more then the amount of rounds consumed. And then there is the simple eloquence of touching off a round and having to hold steady after the trigger is pulled ~ to effect an accurate shot....
Consider sleek wooden sailing sloops versus the modern high powered fiberglass hulls of today
Oh yeah, it is worth the effort
giz
Ahhhh, the mysteries of shooting pure and true BP vs. the modern man-made concoctions
Truth be told, many of us would rather spend a day shooting the BP guns then our modern ones. Can't put a finger on it for sure, but think it is the pace that makes the difference. Every shot is earned, and as such won or lost. Perhaps the effort required to place one on the mark counts much more then the amount of rounds consumed. And then there is the simple eloquence of touching off a round and having to hold steady after the trigger is pulled ~ to effect an accurate shot....
Consider sleek wooden sailing sloops versus the modern high powered fiberglass hulls of today
Oh yeah, it is worth the effort
giz
Joined
·
8,737 Posts
A friend of mine {Chad} bought a new Encore 209X50 and wanted to try it out today. He has never owned one so I went along to instruct him on the care and feeding of the thing. Have the pictures of us but photobucket must be down because it will not upload images. That may be a good thing as pictures of shooting in a short sleeve shirt on Feb. 15 and 11:00 AM may get one banned.
Because of this thread I took my Pietta '58 Remingtons in 44 and 36 caliber along for the ride. That Pietta 44 may be the most accurate revolver I own. Ran a cylinder of full power loads through it {and I used real BP}and it busted all six clay pidgeons at 30 yds. That seems to be it's point of aim for round balls {have conicals but never got around to them today}. The grin factor of that gun is amazing. From young'uns to older men, it never fails to produce a grin. Another friend was with Chad and he was quite taken with the cap and ball shooting, he loaded and shot three of four cylinders of 44 and one of the 36 {I have not shot the 36 cal. 50 rounds total in the 10 to 12 years I have owned it}. He convinced himself he had to have one so I had him take the 36 home to clean it so he knew what he was in for. He just called and said he would mail me a check in the morning. Another shooter hooked for life!
Anyway, just got done cleaning the 44. It took less time than the 45 Ruger. Yes, I timed it.
Because of this thread I took my Pietta '58 Remingtons in 44 and 36 caliber along for the ride. That Pietta 44 may be the most accurate revolver I own. Ran a cylinder of full power loads through it {and I used real BP}and it busted all six clay pidgeons at 30 yds. That seems to be it's point of aim for round balls {have conicals but never got around to them today}. The grin factor of that gun is amazing. From young'uns to older men, it never fails to produce a grin. Another friend was with Chad and he was quite taken with the cap and ball shooting, he loaded and shot three of four cylinders of 44 and one of the 36 {I have not shot the 36 cal. 50 rounds total in the 10 to 12 years I have owned it}. He convinced himself he had to have one so I had him take the 36 home to clean it so he knew what he was in for. He just called and said he would mail me a check in the morning. Another shooter hooked for life!
Anyway, just got done cleaning the 44. It took less time than the 45 Ruger. Yes, I timed it.
G
Guest
·It is a funny thing. I went most of my adult life without so much as giving a nod towards the BP guns. Read all the modern gun rags that sand the praises of Smokeless, and never gave it another thought.
As I aged, so did my fancies.. And finally I was introduced to Flintlocks by a friend here on the forum... LordSlashcat. There has been no looking back since. Truth be told, I would most likely sell off my centerfire collection before the BP guns. Well, maybe all except my SA Rugers
As to cleaning, I always figure that it is a part of the game. Some of the BPCR's have to be cleaned after every string of fire. And that's ok...
Worse is reloading for them, if you want accuracy. But then we are talking about iron sights at 500 to 1000 yards with 550 grain bullets...And there is nothing that compares to shooting the big cartridges.
Dang, I wish it were Spring and my range was all thawed out...
giz
As I aged, so did my fancies.. And finally I was introduced to Flintlocks by a friend here on the forum... LordSlashcat. There has been no looking back since. Truth be told, I would most likely sell off my centerfire collection before the BP guns. Well, maybe all except my SA Rugers
As to cleaning, I always figure that it is a part of the game. Some of the BPCR's have to be cleaned after every string of fire. And that's ok...
Worse is reloading for them, if you want accuracy. But then we are talking about iron sights at 500 to 1000 yards with 550 grain bullets...And there is nothing that compares to shooting the big cartridges.
Dang, I wish it were Spring and my range was all thawed out...
giz
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
