Manual

42
7. After your ThunderHawk has been reassembled, check the striker to
ensure that there is no excess lubricant on the surface which could impede safe
performance.
Black Powder and Pyrodex are very corrosive and the residue or fouling
left in the bore after firing your firearm can be very destructive to the steel,
causing oxidation, rust and pitting. Leaving your firearm uncleaned with this
fouling present can lead to a ruined firearm.
When using petroleum based lubricants, the build-up of this fouling is
much more apparent and often it is necessary to clean the gun between shots.
Cleaning between shots will be necessary whether using black powder or
Pyrodex®. Failure to eliminate this residue will be destructive to the bore if
left for any length of time.
When using an all natural, non-petroleum based lubricant such as T/C’s
Natural Lube 1000+ , the bore becomes seasoned with use, much like the
surface of a cast iron skillet. Fouling is greatly reduced, and as a result it is
not necessary to clean between shots, or even immediately after extended
firing. The reduction of fouling present and the void of any petroleum com-
bine to eliminate the corrosive effects on the steel. This does not mean that
your obligation to clean the firearm after use is eliminated. The use of T/C’s
Natural Lube 1000+ merely eliminates the need to clean between shots as
excessive fouling will not build up. You can also delay cleaning after you
have shot for at least the duration of your hunting trip without fear of dam-
aging your firearm. You should clean your firearm after use prior to storing
it away, and in order that you do not lose the “seasoned” characteristics
already imparted to your bore, you should clean it with a non-petroleum
based cleaner such as T/C’s all natural #13 Bore Cleaner. Once a petroleum
based solvent is introduced, the “seasoning” process is neutralized, much
like washing your cast iron skillet with detergent.
Often, when using petroleum based lubricants, consecutive shots with
black powder will produce shot-to-shot increases in pressure with the build
up of fouling. This will greatly affect accuracy. Eventually, (if not cleaned)
the muzzleloading firearm will become impossible to load properly. Driven
part way down the bore and blocked by powder fouling, the projectile will
hang up and refuse to budge further.
A PROJECTILE WHICH IS SEATED ONLY PART WAY DOWN THE
BARREL SETS UP A HIGHLY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH
MAY CAUSE A BURST BARREL AND INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO
THE SHOOTER OR BYSTANDER AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
The projectile must be seated firmly against the powder charge. If the
ball or bullet is not seated against the powder charge the firearm must
be disassembled and the char
ge r
emoved (see section on “Pulling a
Charge”). Never fire a muzzleloading firearm unless the projectile is
firmly seated on the powder charge.