Traditions In-Line Muzzy...

[Singleshotsam]

Hey all, I usually stalk the NEF forums but I bought a Traditions .50 in line muzzleloader last night from my bro in law that was hard up for money.  It cost me $30.00 and i'm starting to think maybe I should have taken a closer look before i parted my money.

The barrel is rusted.  Not just, "Hey I've got a brown patch out of this!" rusty, I'm talking I've seen black iron pipe lay outside for a year and rust less than this puppy.

Long story short, I've never shot a muzzleloader, nor do i have any knowledge of care, technique ect... ect...

Is this a salvageable deal or should I just hang it on the wall of my shed as a reminder that a fool and his money are soon parted.

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

if its rusted that bad, dont try shooting it. May call traditions and tell them the model you have and what a replacement barrel would cost.

[Semisane]

I'd try to save it.  It may shoot OK even if it's pitted.  

I've found the best way to work over a badly pitted barrel is with a steel wool wrapped bronze brush on the cleaning rod, using soapy water as a lubricant.  Just keep adding steel wool around the brush as it wears and breaks up.  Flush everything out with fresh water after every dozen strokes or so.  Give it fifty strokes and see how it looks.  It may need more.  Given your description of the bore, you can't do it any more harm and just may end up with a shooter.  I really wouldn't have any safety concerns.

[1sourdough]

 It may be done for, I usually try to salvage things though. My method is Kroil oil used alternately with 'JB' bore cleaner. You have to do it a bunch but if there is hope this will do it.

   I had a black powder revolver years ago. I traded it off to a guy. I told him you MUST clean it the day you shoot it, very well. Later on I saw the gun in such bad condition, never to be shot again. I guess some guys shouldn't be shooting black powder & muzzle-loaders. You don't have much money into it, a new barrel is an idea. You could also consider it a lesson & get a new one. I did the same thing a while back when I bought a used M-L with a 'little rust', sight unseen. Live & learn.

[Singleshotsam]

Lol, Thanks for the great advice fellas... i think that i'll first try to salvage it just to see what happens.  Worst case senario is that i have to put a new bbl on it.  Might be a good step by step project for an eZine article for matt... So far my first ML experience is not going so well lol!

[Forestclimber]

You could probably sell it for parts on this board and get your $30 back.