Manual

48
However, no matter what you use for a lube, consistency is the key to accura-
cy; so much that target 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 com-
patible 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
favorable conditions
five shots can usually be fired without adverse affect on
loading. Under less favorable conditions, loading may become difficult
soon-
er.
If you are 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 without the need to wipe the bore even once. Bear in mind
though, that the pressure does build and accuracy falls off as fouling builds in
the barrel. So, regardless of your lube, if you feel that it is getting more diffi-
cult to load as a result of excessive fouling, it will be necessary to wipe the
bore. The best method is to pay close attention to loading (and group size). If
the ball seems to drag or is somewhat difficult to seat then you must clean the
bore before you load the next charge.
For complete cleaning when using either Pyrodex or Black Powder
the best solvent is hot soapy water. It is necessary that the water be very
hot so that it heats up the barrel metal. A hot barrel will dry rapidly with-
out rusting.
GENERAL COMMENTS ON CLEANING
You will note that throughout this manual, references are made about using
lubricants (patch lubricant, bullet lubricants and bore cleaners) which are both
petroleum based such as T/C Maxi Lube, and non petroleum based like our
Natural Lube 1000 Plus Bore Butter.
While we have no intention of changing your successful practices of lubing
or cleaning, we do want to point out that our experience in using non-petroleum
based lubes has shown us that it does improve performance and ease of loading,
while also eliminating the need to clean between shots. Natural products were
used in the early 1800’
s with a gr
eat deal of success, and it wasn’
t until petr
o-
leum based lubes wer
e used that the cor
r
osive natur
e of black powder fouling
seemed to present a problem in both maintenance and in reloading. Fouling is
fouling, and regardless of the system used to lube and clean your muzzleloader
(petr
oleum based oils versus all natural non petr
oleum based pr
oducts) exces-