ML General questions

[contendernut]

I'm new to muzzle loaders and had a couple questions.  How does the powders compare to smokeless when it comes to storage and shelf life?  I live in the south and have a lot of humidity to deal with.  I don't have a problem with smokeless powder, as I'm still using powder that I've had for 10+ years.  Someone told me that pyrodex has a short shelf life.  Also, I've got some of the Pyrodex pellets that I got a year ago and the container isn't air tight like a bottle of powder.  My loose pyrodex and 777 that I bought last year both should be ok as they are in the same type container that smokeless comes in.  

Another question, after firing, there is a rough spot in the bore at the bottom of the barrel.  If I run a dry patch to the bottom of the bore, I almost have to disassemble the gun and push it out the rest of the way instead of pulling it back out.  The bore has had very few rounds through it (mainly for this reason), does it just need more rounds fired to smooth out?  Lately, I've been using wet patches for the first two between shots to keep the patches from sticking.

[savageT]

Gary,
Yes, the modern black powder replacements are noted for having short shelf life because they will absorb moisture.  Only thing you can do is keep the powder and pellets stored in the original container, in a low humidity closet or safe.  If that isn't practical, I'd strongly recommend you look into using only real BP Powder, as that can be used again after drying out.  The pyrodex, triple 7's lose their punch if they absorb moisture and drying them out won't return their strength.

Concerning the rough spot....I would always use a spit-patch instead of a dry one between shots as it will clean the bore just enough to give consistant results.  If you find the rough spot to be bothersome, I would go to J-B non-embedding bore cleaning compound with Kano Kroil as the lubricant and polish the bore out.  Hope that helps!


Jim

[LOG EYE]

HI Contendernut:  A question I have about your clean-up after shooting the muzzleloader is what type of lube are you leaving in the bore to stop rust?  If it is petroleum-base and you don't completely remove it before firing, you are building up an asphalt-like hard residue in the breech area accounting for the rough time removing a dry patch. As previosly posted by SavageT, ALWAYS use a wet patch when wiping between shots and follow-up with a dry patch befoe reloading. With my T/C Renegade, I always snap a cap to clear out any possible plugging of the nipple. The only good thing that happens when the rifle doesn't go off the next time is -- you get to see if you have a flinch!! :-D  

[contendernut]

Jim, LOG EYE,

I have moved all of my Pyrodex to a ammo can with a can of incandesent(sp?) to absorb any humidity.  I hope that helps.  I've only shot a dozen or so rounds through this barrel (Encore).  I cleaned with soap/water, T/C's cleaning fluid #9 I think, and a few patches of JB.  I've been using T/C's bore butter lube on the bore and external surfaces.  I have been reading the forms and see some don't like the bore butter lube but it works for now.  

The rough spot is where the powder sits.  I think it is just burnt residue and it is a spot around 1-2" about an inch from the bottom of the bore.  After sticking a few patches and having to disassemble the barrel, I started using the wet patch method and it works much better.  I wasn't sure if this was normal or not.

[Bullseye]

Is that ring you are talking about only there after firing?  I get it with Pyrodex Pellets and worse with 777 Pellets.  Can't remember what I get with BP, have not shot it since last winter.  Last weekend I switched to loose 777 and backed my load down to 80gr of 777.  The ring almost disappeared.  I was cleaning every third shot with ease without getting the patch stuck in the barrel as you mention like I did with the pellets.  If the ring is after firing give a lighter load a try, my Encore shoots about the same no matter what powder I feed it between 80-100grs.

[contendernut]

Bullseye,

Yes the ring is only there after firing.  I haven't shot the barrel but 20-30 shots total a year ago and just put it on the back burner for things to do later.  I have only tried the Pyrodex pellets a couple rounds and mostly loose Pyrodex.  If memory serves correct, the pellets were much worse also.

I'm going to give all these suggestions a try and start shooting this barrel a good bit more.  I also plan on trying the windex deal that Jim mentioned in another post.

[LOG EYE]

HI-AGAIN:I READ YOU USED "JB" IN YOUR CLEANING THE BARREL(DARN CAPS LOCK) .  A small flag jumped up mentally,no easy feat at my age, because if it is the rubbing compound material to remove copper''plating" from centerfire bores you may ,with continued use, "lap" youir barrel diameter and change any load dynamics you have settled on. A brass or copper bore brush will do what rough cleaning you're trying to accomplish. Just a suggestion