Muzzleloader Cleaning w/ Blackhorn 209

[gtriple]

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?

 

[SloppyJ]

I clean it and run a wet patch of oil through it and pull it out of the safe next season. Never had issues.

 

[sabotloader]

This is my method of cleaning - it is easy!!!

 

[RagnCajn]

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".

 

[PathFinder]

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]

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.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

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]

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)]

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.

 

[ElDiablito]

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.

Comprehensive Corrosion Test: 46 Products Compared | Day At The Range

By: DIY_guy We all want to use goods quality products on our guns, bows, fishing gear, knives, autos, hunting and lake front gear and like you I?m not a fan of letting things get rust on them nor am I a fan of items wearing out prematurely. To protect my investment in gear, I began

dayattherange.com

 

[Bob L.]

I have used Hoppes #9, 99% alcohol, then barricade in the barrel.

 

[cowdisciple]

I use the CVA "barrel blaster" foaming solvent, and run patches through it until they come out clean and dry. Very easy, have never had a problem.

I have had to take special steps to warm up the can of solvent so it will spray on winter hunts, though.

 

[wind gypsy]

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.

Comprehensive Corrosion Test: 46 Products Compared | Day At The Range

By: DIY_guy We all want to use goods quality products on our guns, bows, fishing gear, knives, autos, hunting and lake front gear and like you I?m not a fan of letting things get rust on them nor am I a fan of items wearing out prematurely. To protect my investment in gear, I began

dayattherange.com

I have one-shot gun oil, i think it says cleaner, lubricant on it, but seems slightly different than the one pictured there with dry lube? They call too many damn products one-shot.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I have one-shot gun oil, i think it says cleaner, lubricant on it, but seems slightly different than the one pictured there with dry lube? They call too many damn products one-shot.

The one in that link is a discontinued extreme version.

 

[ElDiablito]

I have one-shot gun oil, i think it says cleaner, lubricant on it, but seems slightly different than the one pictured there with dry lube? They call too many damn products one-shot.

This is the one that tested well and the one I like

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

This is the one that tested well and the one I like



View attachment 930758

This is the discontinued one they have a photo of in your link. The photo you just posted is the current offering (I like it too),

 

[ElDiablito]

This is the discontinued one they have a photo of in your link. The photo you just posted is the current offering (I like it too),

View attachment 930764

Well that makes it a bit of a mystery then. The tester has this pic in his review as well. ‍♂

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Well that makes it a bit of a mystery then. The tester has this pic in his review as well. ‍♂

Hmmm odd yes. Anyways doesn't really matter its supposedly more or less the same thing. Lube on!

 

[wind gypsy]

I leave tonight for a week of ML hunting. Prior to this I've only used smokeless but BH209 will be required on this hunt. Any reason for concern if a brux stainless barrel is fouled with BH209 for a week without cleaning?

 

[rharbaugh]

I leave tonight for a week of ML hunting. Prior to this I've only used smokeless but BH209 will be required on this hunt. Any reason for concern if a brux stainless barrel is fouled with BH209 for a week without cleaning?

I asked a similar question last year

Post in thread 'Pre Fouling'

Nov 14, 2024

Most of us do not clean after shooting BH209. No need. I foul my rifles and leave them loaded all season (and sometimes until the following season).

@ElDiablito Can you please provide some more context here, specifically on what you considered fouled vs cleaned? I'll try to find some of your older posts if you already covered this.

What I'm interested in is do you shoot your muzzy and then do nothing with the barrel? Or are you shooting and then only running a bore brush or dry patch down the barrel, and still considering this fouled? Also, what are you doing with your...

• rharbaugh

BH209 leaves very little fouling in the bore - just a light slick soot. I don’t brush or patch. I shoot it and leave it fouled for the season. I’ll fully clean it after the February AZ javelina muzzy hunt, generally, before sticking a rifle back in the safe until summer. The other sub powders leave exponentially more corrosive fouling and must be swabbed/patched/brushed/cleaned. Toby Bridges published a test years ago where he shot 50 loads of Bh209 without doing anything to the bore and experienced no loading or dispersion issues.

Fifty Shots Through The Same 1.6-Inch Hole At 100 Yards!

By Toby Bridges It takes more than a great rifle, with a precision barrel, to knock out a 50-shot hundred yard group such as that shown ...

bh209hunter.blogspot.com

As for the breech plug. With Bh209, you will get very stubborn carbon deposits in the flash channel which must be removed with a properly sized drill bit. I ream mine out every 10-20 shots and will usually remove the plug and clean it thoroughly before loading for a hunt (just for a little peace of mind). I always check the flash hole by looking for light combing through it before loading so I know it’s clear. My flash holes rarely get much fouling but I do keep a set of torch tip cleaners on the bench to gently clear them if needed when doing a full clean on the plug. I’m using adjustable headspace 209 plugs with tungsten carbide bushings in most of the rifles I shoot Bh209 in these days. With those I just gently ream the carbon out with a drill bit every 10-20 shots and keep shooting. Hope this helps.

View attachment 790817