How to Clean a Muzzleloader 

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The Proper Steps For Cleaning A Muzzleloader—Start To Finish 

A muzzleloading rifle is the nastiest gun in the world. They get all mucky and fouled, and keeping one nice and shiny is no short order to fill. Oftentimes, that task is met with a fair amount of challenge, especially if the gun has gotten grimy and gritty. 

Of course, a dirty muzzleloader can cause a lot of issues. Too much fouling can make loading the gun quite difficult. It can even throw off accuracy. 

Even worse, a prolonged dirty barrel can lead to pitting of the barrel. This damage is of a corrosive manner and eats away at the metal, which can’t be reversed. Merely cleaning won’t solve the issue. If bad enough, replacement is needed. And failing to replace when needed can lead to significant injury, or even death if the muzzleloader malfunctions (due to pitting and other damage). 

In addition to being corrosive, black powder (even Pyrodex) is hygroscopic. In short, this means the resulting fouling holds water. This leads to additional corrosion and residue buildup, which can overtake and even ruin your muzzleloader over time. 

Fortunately, a good and proper cleaning regimen can prevent such issues. Here’s how to clean a muzzleloader and keep unwanted residues at bay. 

Step 1: Read the Product Manual 

The first step in cleaning your muzzleloader is reading the manual. As boring and boilerplate as that sounds, it really is important. Each muzzleloader is different in design and build. There are slight to even significant differences. Follow all directives and safety precautions. 

Step 2: Use the Right Cleaning Products 

Most muzzleloader experts advise against using petroleum-based cleaning products. Firing a muzzleloader that’s been cleaned and lubed with petroleum-based product creates a faster buildup of fouling and unwanted corrosion. Instead, use a natural cleaner that cleans the muzzleloader, yet doesn’t promote a faster buildup of corrosion. 

Step 3: Be Sure the Muzzleloader Is Unloaded 

Before ever cleaning the muzzleloader, it’s important to ensure it is unloaded. First, remove any cap or primer. Then, pull the breech plug. If loaded, remove the powder charge and bullet. 

Step 4: Swab the Barrel with Patches Between Shots 

It’s important to keep a barrel clean while shooting. Even in-session fouling buildup can limit loading ease and impact accuracy. Therefore, swab the barrel with patches between shots. According to Hunter-Ed.com, cleaning patches should be made from cotton or approved synthetic materials. 

Step 5: Run Several Swabs Through the Barrel After a Shooting Session 

Cleaning a muzzleloader isn’t a once-a-year or even once-a-month thing. Muzzleloaders should even be cleaned during shooting sessions. In fact, run several finishing wet swabs, and then dry swabs, through the barrel after a shooting session. Remove all particles and fouling to prevent corrosion. Then, treat the barrel for storage. 

Step 6: Conduct Regular Deep Cleans of the Muzzleloader 

It’s good to conduct regular deep-cleaning efforts of muzzleloaders. Of course, that requires a more in-depth disassembly effort. That process looks different from one muzzleloader to the next. That said, follow the product manual to complete the process correctly. 

In general: 

• Remove the ramrod. 

• Pull the breech plug. 

• Remove the forearm. 

• Separate the barrel from the buttstock. 

• Remove the nipple (if applicable). 

• If inline, the cocking mechanism and spring should be removed, too. 

• Disassemble the firing pin. 

Those who want to take deep cleaning even further should continue beyond the barrel. Muzzleloaders get dirty, and more than just the barrel needs cleaning. Other parts to spend time on include the breech plug and firing pin, to name a few. Clean the breech face, breech end, and breech interior (channel). Remove all powder buildup and particles. 

Some say that running 209 primers prevents the need to clean a muzzleloader’s firing pin. However, BPI Outdoors (the maker of CVA muzzleloaders) states that isn’t true. It certainly is necessary. 

Fortunately, it states the process isn’t difficult, and only takes about five to 10 minutes. The necessary tools to disassemble (and reassemble) come with the CVA kit provided with the muzzleloader at the time of purchase. 

Of course, the details of disassembling the gun all the way down to the firing pin require safe and proper steps. Visit BPI Outdoors to learn how to do so correctly, and without harm to the muzzleloader, firing pin, or yourself. 

As noted above, clean each part of the muzzleloader with a natural cleaner. Use solvent and lube as needed to remove all foreign particles, debris, and fouling from the muzzleloader. 

In some cases, deep cleaning of the barrel might even require using hot water. Place the muzzle end of the barrel in a bucket of water, especially if it’s an inline muzzleloader. Then, pour warm water down the barrel to heat it up. Or, use a rod and patch to siphon water back up into the barrel from the bucket. 

Next, using a range rod with a T handle, run cleaning patches through the barrel. Continue swabbing until the barrel is completely clean and free of fouling. 

Once clean, run dry patches down the barrel. Once dry, lube the barrel with Bore Butter, or another natural product, to maintain good barrel condition during storage. Apply the product to the exterior of the barrel, too. 

Step 7: Complete Regular Barrel Inspections 

Those who plan to maintain their muzzleloaders over the long haul must keep them clean. Complete regular barrel inspections. Continue cleaning as necessary. Learn how to clean a muzzleloader the right way, and it will last you a lifetime.