Manual

Actually the user of a Black Powder rifle or pistol has two types of clean-

ing with which to contend. One is total or complete cleaning which is done

after shooting for the day and before the rifle or pistol is put away. (This must

be done after using either Pyrodex or Black Powder.) The other is a simple

“wiping out” of the bore which is done between shots to clear away fouling and

to ease loading (this is essential with Black Powder). This is referred to as

“field cleaning”.

PHOTO A

Use a Jag for field cleaning

(A Worm will work as

a substitute if you don't

have a Jag with you.)

No.13

Powder

Solvent is

specifically

designed for

field cleaning.

The saturated patch is then followed by several dry patches to absorb mois-

ture and make sure that the bore is dry.

Cleaning between shots may be necessary when using Black Powder. It

will depend on how much fouling is developed from shot to shot, and how pro-

gressively difficult it is to load as a result of it. It will also depend on how tight

your initial patched round ball fits. The tighter the initial fit , the more difficult

it will be to load successive shots as the powder residue or fouling builds up. As

previously described in the above text, the use of an all natural lube aids in re-

loading as it “seasons” the bore and produces far less fouling. However, no mat-

ter what you use for a lube, consistency is the key to accuracy; so much that tar-

get shooters will use the tightest combination of patch and ball they can load, and

they will wipe the bore between each shot. A good all natural bore cleaner like

T/C’s No.13 Bore Cleaner will work extremely well in these situations, and

because it contains no petroleum base, it is highly compatible for use with an all

natural lube such as Natural Lube 1000 Plus Bore Butter.

Depending upon the specific load (heavier charges burn less consistently

creating more fouling) and temperature, a series of shots with Black Powder can

be fired before it becomes necessary to wipe the bore. How many? Under favor-

able conditions

five shots can usually be fired without adverse affect on loading.

Under less favorable conditions, loading may become dif

ficult

sooner

If you ar

using a natural lubricant such as Natural Lube 1000 Plus Bore Butter, with no

petroleum base, you will be able to shoot many more shots without the need to

wipe the bore. In fact, T/C’s test gun had over 1000 rounds shot through it with-