Model 1888 RB Trapdoor

[IditarodJoe]

Encouraging words, 13Echo. Thanks. I've got a 36" coated Dewey rod, a .44/.45 jag, and a brass muzzle guide so I should be able to do that. Out of curiosity, have you found a particular type of cleaning rest that works well for these looong rifles?

[John Sukey]

for cleaning I suggest a metal funnel. Flatten one side. Stick it in the breech end, and pour a kettle full of hot water down the bore, then clean the usual way

[13Echo]

I would add use a wet brush if you get hard fouling which can happen in dry weather.

To keep the fouling soft between shots use a blow tube. For my 1884 I have a clear plastic tube from the hardware store that happens to be the right diameter to enter the chamber and stop at the end of the chamber. Put it in the chamber and exhale through the tube. The moisture in your breath will help keep the fouling soft. On high humidity days this may not be necessary. On dry , low humidity days it may take several breaths.

I use my usual cleaning cradle for my other rifles at home. I made a collapsible one that attaches to my shooting kit for the range. The only difference for the Springfield is I turn the rifle upside down and hold the block open with a rubber band. This way any fouling pushed down the barrel falls out of the action instead of into it.

It isn't Rocket Surgery and it isn't Voodoo, just different.

Jerry Liles

[IditarodJoe]

Thanks all. I really appreciate "the voice of experience"! John, when you say "hot" water, are we talking "tap water" hot or "just off the boil" hot? Combining your recommendation and Jerry's comments, it occurs to me that I might be able to make up a funnel attached to a length of 1/2-inch silicone tubing for feeding water into the chamber. The normal thin-wall silicone tubing that I can buy locally can handle temperatures up to 130 F, but if necessary high temperature tubing is available on-line. I still plan to start out with wet patches, but if necessary I want to be prepared to go the whole route.

Jerry, thanks for the tip on the blow tube. I'll make one up and take it along. Measuring a .45-70 case, it looks like 1/2-inch OD tube might just barely squeeze into the chamber. The next size down is 7/16-inch OD which would be small enough to enter the bore. I'm led to believe that, at the range, I'll need to run a couple patches down the bore every 5 shots or so to clear fouling. I have some Hoppe's black powder bore cleaner for that. I also have a brass muzzle guide and both bronze and nylon bristle .45 brushes. Just realized this morning though that I don't have any 2-1/2 inch cleaning patches so I'll need to pick those up.

I gave some thought to the peroxide/alcohol/Murphy's mixture that blackhawknj mentioned. I suspect it would clean really well, but hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer and I wouldn't be comfortable getting it anywhere near my rifle. I have seen some positive comments about a Birchwood Casey product called Muzzle Magic No. 77 if the Hoppe's doesn't work out for the range.

[blackhawknj]

As with reloading there is no "One Size Fits All" formula for BP cleaning. In the 3-in-1 solution the peroxide provides quick cleaning, the alcohol allows for quick drying, the Murphy's Oil Soap takes the edge off the peroxide and provides some lubrication. I like to use chemistry rather than elbow grease when cleaning BP, like doing dishes I let the chemicals soak the residue.