Steel cleaning rod muzzle guard

[HarryH]

I am a newby with a brand new Hartford Shiloh Sharps 45-70, 32" barrel.
I will be shooting black powder. I am still in a learning mode.
I just bought from Shiloh a steel cleaning rod.
Cleaning from the breach I plan to use a primer hole drilled-out cartridge.
Should I use a muzzle guard to clean from the muzzle?
If so, where can I get such a muzzle guard that will work without this guard damaging the muzzle?
Or maybe I should never clean from the muzzle end?
Any help for this newby will be greatly appreciated.

[Clarence]

HarryH,

I don't see any reason to clean from the muzzle. A few patches wet with water/a dash of soap until it comes out clean, a couple of dry patches, and a patch wet with a good
moisture displacing oil like Eezox and you're good to go.
Clarence

[Lumpy Grits]

WELCOME!
DO NOT clean from muzzle.
Your drill'd out case will work very well.
Gary

[HarryH]

Clarence and Gary,
Thanks so much for your replies.
This does bring up another question about cleaning.
I had planned to use three Shiloh products:
First run through a patch soaked with Shiloh's black powder solvent and let the solvent sit for a couple of minutes.
Secondly run through multiple patches soaked with Shiloh's bore cleaner to get the lead out.
Keep doing this until the patches come out clean.
Thirdly run through a patch soaked with Shiloh's gun oil.
Before the next shooting, push through a few dry patches to clean out the oil.
I would love to get some feedback on this cleaning method as well.
Thanks in advance.
Harry

[Lumpy Grits]

Best BP solvent I have found Is Windex Multi-surface with VINEGAR.
I then use Eezox for rust control and lube.
I soak the bore with Windex then brush, dry and look for lead. If I see lead, then I use a lead wipe away cloth cut to about 1" sq on a jag to go after the lead. Wipe bore clean and use Eezox. All from the breech.
Gary

[montana charlie]

If so, where can I get such a muzzle guard that will work without this guard damaging the muzzle?
Or maybe I should never clean from the muzzle end?
Any help for this newby will be greatly appreciated.

While cleaning from the muzzle will (probably) never be necessary, there are times when you may want to run a rod in from the front ... like to push a stuck case or bullet out.
Dewey makes everything imaginable for cleaning guns, and their .45 caliber muzzle guide can be found here.
http://deweyrods.com/product/45-caliber ... zzle-guide

[BFD]

A .38-55 (or any of the .38 rifle calibers) case makes a pretty good muzzle guard for a .45 cal rifle, as most rods are 3/8" or less.

[Onna]

Clarence and Gary,
Thanks so much for your replies.
This does bring up another question about cleaning.
I had planned to use three Shiloh products:
First run through a patch soaked with Shiloh's black powder solvent and let the solvent sit for a couple of minutes.
Secondly run through multiple patches soaked with Shiloh's bore cleaner to get the lead out.
Keep doing this until the patches come out clean.
Thirdly run through a patch soaked with Shiloh's gun oil.
Before the next shooting, push through a few dry patches to clean out the oil.
I would love to get some feedback on this cleaning method as well.
Thanks in advance.
Harry

Harry you exactly correct in your cleaning method stated here. It will work well! This is what Kirk recommends and uses along with everyone around here. DO NOT use Windex, water and Soap, or any brushes! Cotton cleaning patches only going from the breach to the muzzle end only
-Shiloh Rifle

[Lumpy Grits]

Brooke-So, what's so wrong with Windex(w/vinegar)or soap and water or a brush
You'll be very surprised what the championship shooters use.
BTW-I use cotton 'balls'.
Gary

[Dan O]

Brooke-So, what's so wrong with Windex(w/vinegar)or soap and water or a brush
You'll be very surprised what the championship shooters use.
BTW-I use cotton 'balls'.
Gary

Gary
Brooke just passed on what Kirk recommends to be helpful. You need to direct that question to Kirk and see why he recommends that over your method. Personally I think there are many different ways and products a person can use to achieve the desired result. Many may not meet your standards but that does not mean they are not effective and do not clean the bore. The old saying to each their own is very applicable in this case.

Brooke thanks for helping out it is greatly appreciated.
Dan

[Lumpy Grits]

Please forgive me here.
Does Brooke work for Shiloh? I just don't recall hear'n her name if she does.
Brooke if you are work'n at Shiloh-WELCOME TO THE ASYLUM.
Respectfully,
Gary

[Dan O]

It shows it as her 1st post and signed Shiloh Rifle. She has been in the Shiloh store and has helped me in the past. My credit card is still smoking
Dan

[Lumpy Grits]

Does this mean that more M&Ms are required when visiting Shiloh
Gary

[HarryH]

Thank you all so very much for your replies.
As sometimes happens, there are more ways than one to skin a cat.
This seems to be one of those times.
After reading the books by a Croft Baker, Paul Mathews, Mike Venturing and Steven Garbe, I already had come to that conclusion.
For now I will stick with Shiloh's instructions and recommendations that came with my new Shiloh Sharps rifle and see how well I do with that.
What ever the outcome will be, I am going to enjoy every second of it.
Especially since I am now retired and have no more jobs interfering with my hobbies.
Thanks again to all that replied.
Cheers
Harry

[John Bly]

Yes, there is a Brooke at Shiloh. She has been helping me with my set trigger while Kirk has been at the NRA show. She seems very competent and well trained.