PROPER GUN CARE FOR BLACK POWDER FIREARMS & SHOTGUNS

Muzzleloaders have a history of corrosive fouling due to the use of black powder, aka gunpowder. When the charge is ignited, these powders leave a great deal of fouling, which requires extra attention. Not only should you clean metal surfaces after a shoot, but also you should then lubricate parts to minimize future buildup. Doing so will promote easy loading next time around.

Liberally apply Tetra^® Gun Copper Solvent to Cotton Patches. Swab the bore repeatedly – 10 to 20 times – to remove fouling. Repeat this until you can run a dry patch through the barrel that comes out clean. For most muzzleloaders, 2 ¼” round patches will do the job, as barrels are either .50 or .54 caliber. You can also spray the bore with Tetra^® Gun Action Blaster™ aerosol and follow these same steps.

These practices can be applied to all shotguns as well. For the most popular 12 gauge size, cotton patches up to 3” square are used, either on a patch holder or a jag. Some shooters wrap a gun cleaning patch over a bronze brush, but this method does not provide a precise fit. Instead, run a bronze brush through the bore to scrub hard buildup. Remember, a snug fit will provide the most thorough removal of fouling as you run a gun cleaning rod through the bore.

Tetra^® Gun Lubricating Wipes can be quite handy in thoroughly cleaning the breech plug and other parts, including the final wipe down of the outside of the shotgun barrel. You can effectively clean between the threads of the breech plug to prevent corrosion. The key is driving out moisture, and protecting against future rust and corrosion.

It is important to remember that as important as cleaning is, performance ultimately comes from proper lubrication of metal parts. Tetra^® Gun Grease is ideal for the breech plug, and also acts as an anti-seize lubricant for another critical part – the choke tube. Industry leader Carlson’s Choke Tubes has been using and recommending Tetra^® Gun Grease for many years.

One of the other benefits of a good bore treatment is to prevent short stroking, which is characterized by an insufficient rearward force. That scenario can be clearly exhibited in a pump action-style shotgun, in which friction can interfere with the complete and smooth cycling of the action. That friction, caused by buildup on critical operating surfaces or even imperfect gun parts, can be cured with proper lubrication. Tetra^® Gun Lubricant oil is a good preventative measure for this scenario, and is also excellent for conditioning the bore.

Get Tetra^®Gun care products at http://www.tetraguncare.com

THE IDEAL ACCESSORY FOR APPLYING GREASE

Tetra^® Gun Tapered-Tip Swabs are an excellent accessory that was recently added to the product line to fill an important niche in gun care. When applying Tetra^® Gun Grease to semi-auto pistol rails, or to more effectively reach fouling in the narrow crease by the rails, the pointed shape of the Tapered-Tip Swabs will be just the right fit. For more aggressive contact, the opposite end of the Swab can be used as well. It’s best to avoid using a metal tool, such as a sharp steel dental pick. That will actually abrade the metal, creating a groove in which buildup will gain a better foothold in the substrate, making your next cleanup even more difficult. Tetra^® Gun care’s Bronze and Nylon Brushes are a much better choice for cleaning these areas.

Tetra^® Gun Tapered-Tip Swabs are sold in packs of 200.  http://www.tetraguncare.com