muzzle loading advice

adventure · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:02 pm

I just got a new Thompson muzzleloader with all the goodies. I was just wondering if anyone would care to share some advice for cleaning and what they use. I plan on using Hoppes #9 gunoil\cleaner, but was wondering if there is a special cleaner better suited for them. Any advice on taking care of them would be appreciated.
Dave

Dog Lake · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:56 pm

Hey Dave:

Welcome to the smoke pole club. Hoppes #9 gunoil will work just fine as a lubricant and rust preventative. What you need as a cleaner/solvent depends on what you plan on using as a propellant. If you are using Hodgdon triple 7 pre formed pellets you use plain tapwater through the bore and it will disolve the residue. Run a patch through after, then a couple runs through with a brass bore brush and a patch to get the last of the residue out. After that a patch with some #9 gun oil to lube things and one more patch to take any excess oil out.

If you are using actual black powder you should grab a solvent specifically designed for it such as TC 17 black powder bore solvent. Traditions also makes a black powder solvent. These do a much better job of removing the residue than a solvent made for the smokeless powers in modern cartridges. Same process for cleaning: Solvent, patch, brass brush, patch, oil & patch, final patch to remove excess oil.

One final tip is make sure you apply breach plug grease to the threads on the breach plug after cleaning. It helps to stop the breach plug from getting fouled with propellant residue and becoming seized in the gun, especially after repeated firing without cleaning.

They are a whole lot of fun and the hardest part about them is waiting for the smoke to clear to see what happened. Enjoy your new rifle. Which model TC did you get?

adventure · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 1:18 pm

Thanks for the advice Bruce.
I just wanted to try muzzleloaders for a few years to see what I think so I went with the Impact. I loked at the other entry level ones like the Traditions Buckstalker and CVA Wolf, but they just didn't have the fit and finish of the Thompson's. It was more, but I thought it was worth it. If I find I start to take it up more, I can always upgrade later, but I think this one will be good for quite a few years.

I got the Jim Shockey pellets and Hornady sabots. I'll let you know how they group.

Blue Pickerel · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 2:16 pm

They will group just fine if you wear your Jim Shockey scarf.
Have fun

Dog Lake · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 4:23 pm

Mine is an Impact as well. I'm getting some decent groups at 100 yards with TC Shockwave 250 grain sabots and 100 grains (2 pellets) of triple 7. I'd be keen to hear how the Hornady/Shockey combo groups for you. I tried 300 grain shockwaves with 3 pellets, but they did not group as consistantly enough for my liking. For now I'll stick with the smaller sabot and charge, and keep my max range at 100 yards give or take.

Just got back from making sure mine is dialed in. Good luck next week.

Hooklineandsinker · **Joined:** Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:34 pm **Posts:** 270

-I love Blackhorn 209!! (you have to use shotgun 209 primers, not ml primers)
-T/C shockwaves and Hornady bullets both work well for me.

You'll love your new muzzleloader,

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