Muzzleloader question

[Dot_3]

I've never handled a muzzleloader and a friend handed me three to clean up for him. All three have a charge still in the barrel. Two break actions and one inline. They have been neglected, with all grades of junk in the barrel. What is the best and proper way to remove the charges? He told me he only uses pellet propellant.

 

[chav0_12]

I know I have one that has a removable breech, so that can come out and then I can push the charge out with the ramrod. They also make de-chargers that use a CO2 cartridge to expel the powder and charge. Of course you can always stick a primer in it and try to just expel the charge the easy way. They also make bullet pullers that have a little screw type of thing that goes on the end of a cleaning or ram rod, basically screw that into the bullet and pull it out with the rod.

 

[Dot_3]

The break actions I have removed the breech plug. I don't know how unstable black powder is, even being a year or more old. It's going to take more hammering than it is pushing I'm afraid and I don't want to beat on that powder charge. Will look into the puller, but it will
be fighting a lot of build up and probably corrosion

 

[NW Hunter]

In our Knight Bighorns, we would soak the barrel in the bathtub with dishwashing liquid before scrubbing the barrel.
It might work in your situation making the powder wet.

 

[Rick Richard]

The break actions I have removed the breech plug. I don't know how unstable black powder is, even being a year or more old. It's going to take more hammering than it is pushing I'm afraid and I don't want to beat on that powder charge. Will look into the puller, but it will
be fighting a lot of build up and probably corrosion

The break action should have a removable breech plug also and the projectile should be pushed out. Am I missing something ?

 

[Dot_3]

The break action should have a removable breech plug also and the projectile should be pushed out. Am I missing something ?

There's powder behind the projectile. I guess I should have asked more directly, how volatile is black powder (pyrodex specifically) and can I beat it down the bore? If I pushed it out the back, will the projectile mess up the threads for the breech plug

Will try the bath soak

 

[Bobby Bailey]

There's powder behind the projectile. I guess I should have asked more directly, how volatile is black powder (pyrodex specifically) and can I beat it down the bore? If I pushed it out the back, will the projectile mess up the threads for the breech plug

Will try the bath soak

Pyrodex is not black powder, but both are fine to "beat" on. Use brass or wood so there can be no spark. With no spark, it won't ignite.
Although, once you remove the breech plug, the power can be picked or scraped out. Again, brass or wood scraper.

 

[Rick Richard]

There's powder behind the projectile. I guess I should have asked more directly, how volatile is black powder (pyrodex specifically) and can I beat it down the bore? If I pushed it out the back, will the projectile mess up the threads for the breech plug

Will try the bath soak

Push out through the rear.

 

[Dot_3]

Thanks for the help.

 

[jseandsje]

I've never handled a muzzleloader and a friend handed me three to clean up for him. All three have a charge still in the barrel. Two break actions and one inline. They have been neglected, with all grades of junk in the barrel. What is the best and proper way to remove the charges? He told me he only uses pellet propellant.

Absolutely DO NOT shoot it out. if the gun has been neglected, How do you know it hasn't been double charged, which would be a dangerous situation.

Friend? My friends don't hand me a loaded rifle, much less a muzzleloader, and ask me to unload it for them.

You be a friend, and give him the gun back, tell him to remove the charges. You just taught your friend a lesson in responsible gun ownership.

But if you must, take out the breach plugs, put a thin patch on a cleaning patch and push from the breach. Hopefully you can remove it.

If you have to beat it out, I'd put some penetrating oil in the barrel and let it soak a little. Then you should be able to push it out.

 

[Dot_3]

Absolutely DO NOT shoot it out. if the gun has been neglected, How do you know it hasn't been double charged, which would be a dangerous situation.

Friend? My friends don't hand me a loaded rifle, much less a muzzleloader, and ask me to unload it for them.

You be a friend, and give him the gun back, tell him to remove the charges. You just taught your friend a lesson in responsible gun ownership.

But if you must, take out the breach plugs, put a thin patch on a cleaning patch and push from the breach. Hopefully you can remove it.

If you have to beat it out, I'd put some penetrating oil in the barrel and let it soak a little. Then you should be able to push it out.

I appreciate the concern. Rest assured I took the responsible approach; he and I discussed the circumstances and the rifles were made safe before they got to me. His father just passed away and they were his guns so I'm helping a grieving friend. I had zero intention of shooting them out. I don't know much about muzzle loaders but I do know A) no sparky thingy, no bangy and B) don't shoot it!

 

[jseandsje]

I appreciate the concern. Rest assured I took the responsible approach; he and I discussed the circumstances and the rifles were made safe before they got to me. His father just passed away and they were his guns so I'm helping a grieving friend. I had zero intention of shooting them out. I don't know much about muzzle loaders but I do know A) no sparky thingy, no bangy and B) don't shoot it!

I apologize for my assumptions. Put my foot in my mouth again.

If you have trouble driving out a little oil soak might help.

 

[Dot_3]

I apologize for my assumptions. Put my foot in my mouth again.

If you have trouble driving out a little oil soak might help.

No worries! Between you and me, I've already had to have that talk with some friends about not bringing a loaded firearm on my property. So you weren't off base. I'm pretty militant about that. Unapologetically.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

I apologize for my assumptions. Put my foot in my mouth again.

If you have trouble driving out a little oil soak might help.

Water will work better than oil. Black powder and Pyrodex are both water soluble.
If you have Ballistol, mix it 50/50 with water for an emulsion that works extremely well for disolving black powder and it's leftovers.
Windex glass cleaner also works well.