Traditions Buckstalker - Manual (Page 12)

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xIx. CLEANING & MAINTENANCE:
A systematic routine of cleaning while shooting is strongly advised to aid in
avoiding problems while loading and to optimize accuracy.
1. When cleaning the bore, use Traditions ez Clean™ cleaning patches rather
than shooting patches. Shooting patches are too small for cleaning and can be
lost in the bore.
2. If a patch becomes lost in the bore, use Traditions Patch Puller Worm attached
to a ramrod for retrieval, or if necessary, remove the breech plug and push the
patch out through the breech area. never load a charge over a lost patch.
3. If unusual resistance is felt while loading a projectile, place a ez Clean™
cleaning patch on a cleaning jag affixed to the end of a ramrod and run it the
full length of the barrel several times with your objective being to remove as
much of the fouling build up as possible.
Note: It should never be necessary to hammer or excessively force a projectile
down the bore. Projectiles should load firmly against the powder charge with
a series of short strokes. If the projectile is the proper size, unusual resistance
usually indicates the need to swab the bore with a treated cleaning patch. use ez
Clean™ solvent if barrel is heavily fouled. An occasional cleaning of the bore with
a brass Traditions Bore Brush is advisable to remove excessive plastic and fouling
build-up.
4. When target shooting or sighting in, develop a habit of consistently wiping the
bore with Traditions Wonder Lube 1000 patches after each shot. Depending
upon the specific load, temperature, and humidity, a short series of shots with
black powder, Pyrodex ® or Triple 7 ® can be fired before it becomes necessary
to wipe the bore with Traditions ez Clean™ patches or in order to remove
fouling build-up. If for any reason the projectile will not go all the way down
to the powder charge, it will be necessary to extract the projectile from the
barrel either with a bullet puller on a ramrod or the breech plug can be
removed, the charge removed and the projectile forced out the end of the
barrel with a long bench/range rod or an extended ramrod.
Note: A dirty fouled barrel will directly affect your ability to group shots. However,
in a hunting situation, only a few shots will likely be taken. If the barrel is prepped
and lubed at the onset, it is not necessary to clean and lube the interior of the
barrel between shots when hunting.
CLEANING AFTER SHOOTING
CAUTION:
BEFORE CLEANING, MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THE GUN IS UNPRIMED AND
UNLOADED. USE THE RAMROD MEASURING METHOD AS DESCRIBED EARLIER.
Clean your gun as soon as possible after your shooting session. To leave a gun
un-cleaned, even overnight, can result in serious and damaging corrosion.
Advice: Take care when cleaning not to get water or solvent into the
trigger assembly.
Note: Regardless of the cleaning method, you must remove and thoroughly clean
the breech plug and area of the receiver during each cleaning. Be certain to lightly
lubricate the threads of the breech plug with Traditions Breech plug grease
before reinstalling.
Cleaning Method:
A thorough cleaning requires the complete disassembly of the firearm every time
you shoot your muzzleloader.
1. Make sure the firearm is unprimed and unloaded.
2. With action closed unscrew forend and remove.
3. Open action and lift barrel up and away from receiver.
4. using a Breech Plug Wrench, remove the breech plug from the barrel
5. Pour 8-10 inches of hot, soapy water into a secured pail.
6. Immerse the receiver end of the barrel into the cleaning solution so that the
water is above the breech opening.
7. using a cleaning patch affixed to a jag or a cleaning brush, pump the soapy
water repetitively through the barrel by raising and lowering the ramrod until
bore is clean.
8. When the bore is clean, remove barrel from liquid. Run dry cleaning patches
up and down bore to dry inside. Wipe outside of barrel with dry cloth.
9. Clean receiver area with ez Clean™ spray and a soft bristle brush to remove
any fouling or debris. Dry receiver and breech area.
WARNING:
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE RECEIVER. THIS INCLUDES ANY PINS
HOLDING THE RECEIVER TOGETHER. CLEAN AS A UNIT.
10. Lightly coat outside and inside of barrel and all other metal parts with
Wonderlube 1000 Plus. Apply Traditions breech plug grease to the threads of
the breech plug.
11. Clean all residues from inside and outside of the stock.
12. Reassemble the muzzleloader.
Note: Store your rifle in a cool, dry, secured area. Storage in a gun case should
be avoided as it may hasten condensation and corrosion. During long periods of
storage, periodically check for signs of pitting or rusting on the surface and in the
barrel bore.
Note: The myth that stainless steel & nickel doesn’t have to be cleaned as much
as blued steel is false. You need to clean and lubricate your stainless barrel just
as you would a blued steel barrel. The stainless and nickel barrels are more rust
resistant than blued steel, but over time can rust.
xx. HELPFUL MUZZLELOADING ACCESSORIES
In order to participate fully in the sport, you will probably want to consider the
purchase of the various Traditions accessories mentioned in this manual. Your
firearms retailer should stock a complete line of accessories from Traditions. If
not, ask him to order them for you. visit him soon to discover all the ways to make
your muzzleloading experience even more enjoyable and convenient. Write to
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