Muzzleloader question

[hunter0528]

Pour some WD40 down the barrel (about 3 to 4") allow it to soak over night or longer. Then attach an air compressor with a full load or air (around 120psi) and use a trigger actuated air gun to send the air through the nipple. BE aware that the prokectile WILL COME OUT. Keep it pointed in a save direction. Did the a couple of times at Scout camp when powder was forgotten.

 

[Rick Richard]

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.

Let us how it goes.

 

[billflangjr813]

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.

In the bath Tub , You must be from the North West !!

 

[emp1953]

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

remove the primer nipple. Squirt PB Blaster into the hole. That should help to render the powder inert. It will also start things in the direction of loosening up thread corrosion and bullet weld. Knowing what type of projectiles he used would be very helpful too. Every "modern" BP firearm I've seen/owned had some sort of breech plug. Even the TC Hawkens. If you can get that out you can drive the bullet and charge out the breech. A safer option. If the rifles are all the same manufacturer the same breech plug tool should fit them all. If not well you may have to buy 3 different breech plug tools. I've seen some of the break actions models where a regular socket would fit it. Don't try it without putting something in place to help break the threads free. Kroil will also penetrate well.

This model tool is for Tradiitions make rifles bolt action
Traditions

 

[Rosebud]

Not sure if it was covered, but if they have removable breech plugs just remove them and the pellets will fall out.
Then drive out the bullet with the ramrod.
My apologies if this was covered.

 

[MarkInPA]

I would be hesitant to use a bullet puller. They have been known to pull off of the ram rod. Then you have a bullet / ball with the bullet puller stuck to it compounding the problem.

 

[Rick Richard]

I would be hesitant to use a bullet puller. They have been known to pull off of the ram rod. Then you have a bullet / ball with the bullet puller stuck to it compounding the problem.

Agree. A bullet puller would be the very last tactic to take. Since these are breech plug rifles, there should be no reason they can't be unloaded by removing the breech plug and pushing out the projectile.

By the way, I tried the bullet puller….once….and never again..

 

[MarkInPA]

Getting off topic a bit. Here in PA, we have been known for having a traditional, primitive, flintlock only season. In the past, part of our regulations have been the use of patched round balls only. We used to have a lot of novices that would participate in the final flintlock season if they were not successful in the regular firearms season. I'm not trying to be derogative but, its just a fact that they were not as experienced as what they could have been. Anyhow, it was known that often one would load their rifles without remembering to pour the powder down the bore first. Just a patched round ball with no charge behind it. On firearms that were manufactured recently to replicate period flintlocks, a removable stainless steel vent hole insert was screwed into the bore and contained the flash hole. So many times, one would unscrew the vent hole and dump powder through it to provide a charge behind the patched round ball. Then the vent hole was screwed back in place. Then the load could be discharged by simply firing the flintlock.

Also interesting, there were many reports of people firing their flintlocks with the ramrod still down the barrel.

I had a friend of mine that was trying to use a bronze brush to clean his rifle. When he tried to pull it back out, it pulled off the end of this ramrod. To this day, I don't think he ever figured out a way to remove it.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

Agree. A bullet puller would be the very last tactic to take. Since these are breech plug rifles, there should be no reason they can't be unloaded by removing the breech plug and pushing out the projectile.

By the way, I tried the bullet puller….once….and never again..

I agree about no need to use a puller on a modern style muzzleloader, just pull the breech plug.
But, I pulled a very many ( too mant to keep count of) from original styles with absolutely no problem or difficulty.

 

[Rick Richard]

I agree about no need to use a puller on a modern style muzzleloader, just pull the breech plug.
But, I pulled a very many ( too mant to keep count of) from original styles with absolutely no problem or difficulty.

You are better at it than I am. I tried it once and was a miserable failure.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

You are better at it than I am. I tried it once and was a miserable failure.

I don't know about better.
I've just learned the way for what I carried. I traded a custom made S. Hawken rifle for my first flinter, a Southern mountain rifle, back in 1980. That is still my favorite rifle and the most used.

 

[MarkInPA]

I don't know about better.
I've just learned the way for what I carried. I traded a custom made S. Hawken rifle for my first flinter, a Southern mountain rifle, back in 1980. That is still my favorite rifle and the most used.

Even though we have a very rich history of manufacturing long rifles in PA, I have one of those Southern Mountain Rifles myself that I use. A, "poor boys rifle", without all the fancy hardware. A Tennessee Mountain Rifle. A reproduction of course.

If you want to start something for laughs and giggles, just ask about the naming of the American Long Rifle. Is it a Pennsylvania Long Rifle or is it a Kentucky Long Rifle?

The terms Pennsylvania Long Rifle and Kentucky Long Rifle often refer to the same type of firearm, but the naming has an interesting history:

• Origin: These rifles were originally developed in Pennsylvania in the early 18th century by German gunsmiths. They were known for their long barrels, accuracy, and distinctive craftsmanship.
• Why "Kentucky"? The name "Kentucky Rifle" became popular after the War of 1812, largely because of the song "The Hunters of Kentucky", which celebrated the rifle's use by frontiersmen from Kentucky. Even though the rifle was primarily made in Pennsylvania, the association with Kentucky pioneers stuck.
• Correct Term: Historically, Pennsylvania Long Rifle is more accurate because that's where it was first designed and produced. However, Kentucky Long Rifle became the more common name in popular culture.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

Even though we have a very rich history of manufacturing long rifles in PA, I have one of those Southern Mountain Rifles myself that I use. A, "poor boys rifle", without all the fancy hardware. A Tennessee Mountain Rifle. A reproduction of course.

If you want to start something for laughs and giggles, just ask about the naming of the American Long Rifle. Is it a Pennsylvania Long Rifle or is it a Kentucky Long Rifle?

The terms Pennsylvania Long Rifle and Kentucky Long Rifle often refer to the same type of firearm, but the naming has an interesting history:

• Origin: These rifles were originally developed in Pennsylvania in the early 18th century by German gunsmiths. They were known for their long barrels, accuracy, and distinctive craftsmanship.
• Why "Kentucky"? The name "Kentucky Rifle" became popular after the War of 1812, largely because of the song "The Hunters of Kentucky", which celebrated the rifle's use by frontiersmen from Kentucky. Even though the rifle was primarily made in Pennsylvania, the association with Kentucky pioneers stuck.
• Correct Term: Historically, Pennsylvania Long Rifle is more accurate because that's where it was first designed and produced. However, Kentucky Long Rifle became the more common name in popular culture.

Pennsylvania got the billing because of the number of "schools" of longrifle building.
But it wasn't the first state to have builders. Each state, then colony, developed their own style along the same time frame, developing their own regional "schools".

 

[Rick Richard]

I don't know about better.
I've just learned the way for what I carried. I traded a custom made S. Hawken rifle for my first flinter, a Southern mountain rifle, back in 1980. That is still my favorite rifle and the most used.

My "Lil 50"