Re: TC Encore 209x50 Question...

[RandyWakeman]

this summer i picked up a brand new 209x50 barrel, blue finish. fact is, since it is brand new, i dont know how i should clean/maintain it, or what products to use. so what do you guys use? how do you guys do it?

here is the method as i think i should be doing it based on what i have done with the other 3 muzzleloaders i have played with:

1. TC gorilla grease on the breech plug threads to keep it from siezing
2. TC Bore Butter before and after each shot?
3. TC no.13 for a cleaner?

will regular cleaning solvents work or hurt the muzzleloaders? i will most likely be shooting 2 pyrodex pellets with a saboted 240gr XTP

Bostik Never-Seize (or any Mil-Spec 907E equivalent) from your local auto parts store is my easy choice for breech plug care.

Spit patch between shots with sabots-- you sure don't need that horrid bore butter.

#13 is okay, I just use hot water. Dry patch after, then Breakfree CLP.

[River runner]

Now, I'm sure I'll get some flack here on this one. The best concoction I've found, and the fact you can clean from the breech end on the Encore is mule snot. That's one part Murphy's Soap Oil, one part Hydrogen Peroxide, one part rubbing alcohol. after I clean it up real good and dry er off, I've been using a synthetic motor oil if I won't be using it. In the summer out here it gets well over a hundred by sun up so my BP guns get a thorough cleaning and oiling and put em up. I've also had good luck using "TC Bore Butter for lube and rust prevention. But like they say different strokes.....  Incidently you won't find any rust on any of my arms.RR

[Underclocked]

No, just make sure your bore is clean and dry before shooting.  An alcohol patch or two, followed by a dry patch and a couple of primers should achieve a dry bore (honestly, I skip the primers normally).  BreakFree CLP is probably the best readily available treatment for your rifle's metal.

That Encore barrel is made from good steel, no reason why any decent cleaner used for a centerfire would hurt it, so long as the bore is shiney clean and dry when shot.

IMO, skip the bore butter with one minor exception.  IF you have VERY tight fitting sabots, a small dab of bore butter on the outside base of the sabot will ease the loading process a bit.  T/C does not recommend Bore Butter for use with sabots.  They tell you to make sure it is all removed before shooting, but put it back in when done.  I would rather just skip it.

[sheephunterab]

1. TC gorilla grease on the breech plug threads to keep it from siezing
2. TC Bore Butter before and after each shot?
3. TC no.13 for a cleaner?

1. Gorilla Grease seems to work fine for me.
2. The only time I use bore butter is after cleaning after a day of shooting and I know I'll be storing the rifle for a while. And then, only a very small amount. I used to use it on the felt of the Break-O-Way sabots as well.
3. #13 has always worked well for me.