Cold Weather BP Shooting

kraigwy · January 13, 2013, 09:16 AM

I know BP builds up in the barrel as it's shot and the barrel needs swabbed every couple rounds (I swab mine after three rounds).

What do you use in cold weather. Normaly I use warm soaky water or TC's mixture.

Both freeze. I was shooting yesterday and it was right around 0*. Its a pain to shoot three rounds and head for the house to swab the barrel, then back out side for another three rounds.

Is there a cold weather BP barrel lube that can be used to swab a barrel in sub zero temps??

mykeal · January 13, 2013, 09:58 AM

Alcohol.

Or one of the mineral oil based solvents (ie, Ballistol).

BirchOrr · January 13, 2013, 10:55 AM

mykeal is correct.

I swab between every shot. In the field, I keep a plastic Skoal can in my pocket (to keep it warm) full of either T/C pre-soaked patches, or I pre-make my own using Simple Green.

After a shot, I run 2 or 3 wet patches (I roll them into a ball between my fingers so they're not too wet, don't want to foul the nipple/breach plug) until they come out fairly clean. Run a couple dry patches. Load powder and sabot, ball, etc. After loading, I run a patch of Ballistol to protect the barrel and keep it from freezing. I can do this in under 2 minutes and well worth it!

Birch

Pahoo · January 13, 2013, 11:45 AM

Another use for Mineral Spirits ....

I also use a product called; StrongArm

Be Safe !!!

kraigwy · January 13, 2013, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the info guys, I really like the Skoal can ideal.

Now if I can only get my wife to use some Skoal so I can get an empty can I'd be good to go.

BirchOrr · January 13, 2013, 12:43 PM

Get her to drink the alcohol, chew the Skoal and after that... you might be persuaded to go shooting at a later time.

January 13, 2013, 09:16 AM	#1
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Cold Weather BP Shooting I know BP builds up in the barrel as it's shot and the barrel needs swabbed every couple rounds (I swab mine after three rounds). What do you use in cold weather. Normaly I use warm soaky water or TC's mixture. Both freeze. I was shooting yesterday and it was right around 0*. Its a pain to shoot three rounds and head for the house to swab the barrel, then back out side for another three rounds. Is there a cold weather BP barrel lube that can be used to swab a barrel in sub zero temps?? __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 13, 2013, 10:55 AM	#3
BirchOrr Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Eaton Rapids, MI Posts: 445	Re: mykeal is correct. I swab between every shot. In the field, I keep a plastic Skoal can in my pocket (to keep it warm) full of either T/C pre-soaked patches, or I pre-make my own using Simple Green. After a shot, I run 2 or 3 wet patches (I roll them into a ball between my fingers so they're not too wet, don't want to foul the nipple/breach plug) until they come out fairly clean. Run a couple dry patches. Load powder and sabot, ball, etc. After loading, I run a patch of Ballistol to protect the barrel and keep it from freezing. I can do this in under 2 minutes and well worth it! Birch __________________ Black Powder: Not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...

January 13, 2013, 11:45 AM	#4
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Mineral Spirits Another use for Mineral Spirits .... I also use a product called; StrongArm Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 13, 2013, 12:13 PM	#5
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Thanks for the info guys, I really like the Skoal can ideal. Now if I can only get my wife to use some Skoal so I can get an empty can I'd be good to go. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 13, 2013, 12:43 PM	#6
BirchOrr Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Eaton Rapids, MI Posts: 445	^^^ Get her to drink the alcohol, chew the Skoal and after that... you might be persuaded to go shooting at a later time. __________________ Black Powder: Not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...

January 13, 2013, 09:58 AM	#2
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Alcohol. Or one of the mineral oil based solvents (ie, Ballistol).

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