Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders How are you fellas cleaning inline breech plug using bh209?

Have great success using Hoppes #9 on the barrel, comes clean almost right away. On my breechplug not so much. Any magical elixir you a using on your inline 209 style breech plug, that would eliminate lot of brushing/scraping? Currently trying brake cleaner, so-so success.

Have two NEF Sidekicks, one with 7/8" breechplug the other with 5/8" breechplug, both aftermarket Metrics Unlimited plugs.

soapy water and a bronze brush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bCIZ0cJv8-M

I soak a patch in Hoppes or Ezox and wipe it clean , takes 2 patches to get it to shine but its pretty easy. I have a small bit to clean the flash hole.

flash channel needs a lot more cleaning than the flash hole.

I have a flash channel brush that was made/marketed by T/C and I clean the fire hole with a bit. I picked the flash channel brush up in a brush set sold at Walmart. The bit at the local specialized hardware store. Don't remember the size off hand?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thompson-Center-Arms-Breech-Brush-and-Fire-Channel-Brush-Set/17481678

that does nothing to remove the carbon from the plug with bh209. You have to cut it out with a drill bit.

Good video, and I'll try that method.

I have the brush too and it worked great with Triple 7. It is worthless for BH209. As others have stated you need to hand turn a 1/8" drill bit into the channel to cut that crap out and it is really impressive how much crap is in there and how hard it gets. I do a lot of scrubbing with nylon brushes, dawn dish soap and quality q-tips. Bottom line is BH209 is really hard on breech plugs. Ironic since one of the best things about it is that you do not have to use breech plug grease. In almost twenty years of muzzleloading I have had only one fail to fire and it was due to a dud primer. Keeping that breech plug clean and dry is priority numero uno. In case your wondering, rule numero dos is don't freeze-thaw-re-freeze your gun.

I soak my breech plug in kitchen vinegar while I clean the barrel. I use a little pill bottle and shake it up a bit.

The fouling just wipes off after 10 minutes of soaking. It works great and a half gallon cost $1.49.

Try it!

I believe BH209 says not to use soap and water for cleaning it. Only an oil base cleaner like Hoppes #9. I use soap and water for regular black powder. Not sure about triple 7, I think soap and water is fine also. Get a drill bit and some torch cleaning picks to ream it all clean.

Once you clean your gun, always go back a week or two later and check for corrosion...just in case.

I like the vinegar and will try it out. Thanks

Hydrosonic cleaner for 15 minutes, then torch tip cleaners and air hose.

soapy and water for the bore would be a mess, but it cleans up very easily on the breech plug.

I have a Sidekick 5/8 Breach plug. Never had any problems firing with 209 primers. I do use a Cutting Torch cleaning tip. Can pick up at Lowe's, Tractor supply or a place that sells Welding equipment. Works great , there are a many tips to choose from. I would rather use a cleaning tip vs a drill bit

cleaning tip only cleans the flash hole, if you dont use a drill bit like this, you will start having issues with carbon build up and hang fires.

you are right bb. i use amsoil power foam to clean my triumph.foam up the barrel and let it soak a few minutes. drop the plug in a jar give it a shot of foam,then wipe it clean. i do use a drill bit to keep the carbon buildup out. my gun has ultra bore coat so it cleans up fast and easy.

What type of primers are you using to shoot BH209. I use Winchester 209 shotgun primers in my TC Pro Hunter. Hoppes #9 and a regular pipe cleaner is all I ever use and have no problem cleaning breech plug. I use a breech plug pick to insure flash hole is clear. as a matter of fact my breach pugs don't really get much fouling from the flash hole on the outside!