Muzzleloader Cleaning w/ Blackhorn 209

gtriple

WKR
Joined
Dec 15, 2021
Messages
1,634
Location
South Carolina
I want to make sure I'm cleaning my Knights Ultralight correctly when using Blackhorn 209.

I'm using Hoppes #9 as the solvent, but I'm not sure if I need to apply a rust inhibitor to the bore after cleaning. And then if I do apply a rust inhibitor, should I run an alcohol patch through the barrel immediately prior to loading?
 
Joined
Nov 30, 2012
Messages
1,267
Location
Northern Idaho
This is my method of cleaning - it is easy!!!

Bore-Cleaning.jpg
 

RagnCajn

FNG
Joined
Oct 8, 2024
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana/Arkansas
In my experience, BH 209 doesn't draw moisture from the air, certainly not to the extent of black powder or substitutes. I've left mine dirty for days with no signs of rust, albeit mine is a nitride barrel so that could be a contributing factor. Light coating of oil and then a couple dry patches or an alcohol patch prior to loading should be sufficient. No need for a specific "rust inhibitor".
 
Joined
Sep 8, 2014
Messages
1,813
Location
Front Range, Colorado
Long term, BH 209 is corrosive. If left in the barrel for long periods of time it will pit the bore. My cleaning process is similar to others above. Windex or #9 to remove fouling, alcohol or brake cleaner to remove residue, oil to prevent corrosion. When getting it ready to hunt/shoot, another alcohol or brake cleaner patch to remove the oil.
 

Grillnugz

FNG
Joined
Jul 20, 2022
Messages
51
I use the Montana extreme 209 specific cleaner/solvent followed by their bore conditioning oil. Cleaning after every shooting session, including firing pin assy on my break action CVA. When I shoot my muzzleloader at the range I’ll usually shoot 10-20 shots.

The 209 cleaner is very different than hoppes, it’s much more watery. To be honest, a specific solvent probably isn’t necessary but I like being fancy.

I think this method was recommended by blackhorn on their old website, now that it has merged with hodgdon I can’t find this info anymore.
 
Joined
Mar 16, 2021
Messages
3,644
Location
Western Iowa
I've left my nitrided CVA Accura loaded and/or dirty between seasons, and I've never had a spec of rust or pitting inside or outside it. This gun has never shot anything but BH209. I hunt late season in IA where temps can be from 40 to -20 with windchill or colder.

When I do clean it I use the BH209 specific cleaner after a good scrub with a wire brush. I run patch, flip it over, run it again, and continue this process until they're more or less clean. I finish with an oil patch, and put it away until the next time to shoot.

Before a range session or hunt, I fire a couple primers on an empty chamber to burn off any moisture. Been doing that for 20+ years with every muzzleloader since my first Knight.

When I used T7 pellets, I didn't use solvents. I took the barrel or barreled action and stuck the muzzle into boiling water. Then I ran patches back and forth, and the vacuum created sucked the boiling water all the way to the breach. This would get the barrel sparkling clean, and the combination of very hot steel and boiling water evaporated residual moisture quickly. When the patches ran clean, the entire unit got dried and oiled before putting into the safe. Never had any rust issues with this method.
 

WCB

WKR
Joined
Jun 12, 2019
Messages
3,640
I use BH209 and just use the TC no13 cleaner. Soak a patch and "scrub" with jag...then just run a few patches through...sometime repeat soaked patch then 4 or 5 patches after and done...run an oiled patch through for storage. Have had zero issues with rust or anything else. Do the same thing with 777 pellets or loose.
 

pods8 (Rugged Stitching)

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Rokslide Sponsor
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Mar 12, 2014
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4,744
Location
Thornton, CO
I just use my normal smokeless solvent (patch out) cause BH209 is compatible. Run wet & dry patches with a lil soak time between and it all comes clean and that solvent leaves corrosion inhibitor behind.
 
Joined
Mar 2, 2022
Messages
946
Patch Out or Hoppes #9 for me with Bh209. Followed by Hornady One Shot to protect the barrel between seasons. The test below indicates that One Shot works better than most other products on the market.

 
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