Hello all, I recently received a T/C Encore muzzleloader as a gift and I am new to all of this so I hope this isn't a dumb question. How often does everyone clean their breech plug and how do you do it?

Thanks for the info!

The Encore 209x50 is quite a gift. I clean the breech plug on mine ever time I clean the bore which I do at the end of any day I've shot it. I use a stiff toothbrush and the warm soapy water I use for the bore. If the threads are well greased with anti-seize compound it cleans up right quick. Good hunting!

A tubular deep well T handle socket wrench should have come with the rifle , that is used to turn out the breach plug , if you don't have one contact T/C also a moveable extractor that turns clockwise so B/Plug can be turned out , get info from T/C and happy muzzleloading , PS use Hodgton triple 7 /3/F Powder shoots clean and cleans better than Black Powder, use 2 grains per caliber to start, 45cal.=90 grains etc.Gander Mountain has the wrenches and the extractors .

I take the breech plug out and clean it with a tooth brush and squirt some soap on it and give it a good scrub. I flush the barrel with some warm water and then stick the barrel into a 5 gallon bucket of hot soapy water and start cleaning with the bore brush. I use a bottle brush on the threads inside the barrel where the breech plug screws in. I have mostly used the hot soapy water method, but once I tried the TC bore cleaner I was not satisfied with the results.

When you are done be sure to grease the threads it helps with removing the breech plug later otherwise it would be a real PITA to remove.

Al,

Not sure if you mean you are new to muzzleloading or not but, you need to clean your rifle thoroughly after every range/shooting session even if you only shoot once. I don't mean clean after every single shot while at the range but, definitely clean after you are done at the range or at home after you shoot a deer. Although I do like to run a damp patch down the barrel followed by a dry patch inbetween each shot at the range because while afield your first and most important shot will be from a clean bbl.

If you'll properly clean your new gun like I mentioned it'll stay like brand new from now on but, if not, it will pit badly and turn into a mess in short order. BP and BP subs are very corrosive hence the need for the cleaning. It's also not a simple just push a patch through a couple of times, you really have to scrub w/ solvent and run patch through until they come out clean because any of the BP residue will cause rust.

It sounds sort of scary but, it's not by any means. W/ modern inline MLers like your Encore and today's solvents cleaning is very easy and only takes minutes.

Also w/ powders like 777 you get much less fouling and rust doesn't occur near as quickly as w/ BP and Pyrodex.

Like some others said, be sure you scrub your breech plug clean too as well as the inside and flash hole.

Another tip I could give you would be to use Teflon tape instead of anti seize or grease. The teflon tape is so much easier and cleaner to use. Just put about one layer on all of the threads and screw her in tight and you're ready for action.

Good Luck w/ you new rifle

Reloader

With the Encore there is no need to take the bbl off for cleaning. I removed the primer extractor and now there is nothing in the way to prevent cleaning the bore without any fuss. Just break open the action,pull out the B/plug,and begin swabbing. If you really like the primer extractor,T/C makes a version that will swing out of the way for cleaning and still function when shooting the gun. You can soak the B/plug in hot soapy water and brush it off with a toothbrush to clean it. The teflon tape is a good idea as well. I blow through the end after cleaning to make sure the passage is open.


You didn't say if your gift was blued or stainless. If it is blued (or stainless) I would
not recommend submerging it in water ever. The lug springs and sight screws,underneath the sights ect. will rust on you no matter what precautions you take to prevent it. Old time traditional bbls. didn't have these lug springs and such and you could pretty much dry the whole bbl. off without fear of rust,except underneath the sights,where there is a problem.

I won't submerge a muzzleloader bbl. in water simply because I don't have to. You can clean the bore of the Encore with common household items or off the shelf items and use a good gun oil or synthetic type oil on the rest of the bbl. and lug springs.

I have never shot true black powder,nor will I ever do so. It is not worth the extra precautions during storage,cleanup,and excess smoke output. I would try the 777 pellets first to see if your Encore likes them. Mine does . If your gun is finiky,you may have to go with loose,no biggie either. Alot peppier than Pyrodex and no sulfur. Sulfur is an element that,when moisture is added will pit a bbl in short order. Both black powder and Pyrodex contain sulfur. Be sure to try the new Remington dedicated 209 muzzleloader primers and stay away from magnum shotshell primers.


I would start out using some T/C maxiballs or maxihunters to "season" the bbl before taking it into the woods. There are other threads on bbl break in procedures. Most agree it is very important to get your bbl properly "broken in" to shoot well and clean easier afterwards. Bullet selection is a very wide open discussion. There are threads on this subject too.

Good luck with your Encore and be sure to give an extra thank you to the gift giver.

For the barrel, I use a 50-50 mixture of Simple Green and hot water. Works very well. For the plug, this is the only use I have ever found for Hoppe's #9. I don't think it cleans firearms worth a squat, but it does a good job of cleaning the primer fouling. I use a toothbrush on the plug sfter it has sat in some Hoppe's while I clean the barrel. I use pipe cleaners to meke sure to get the inside and a small pin or needle to make sure all comes out of the flash hole.

Good shooting!!

I recently purchased "Shooter's Choice BP Cleaning Gel". This stuff is the best I have found. All you need to do is follow the instructions.

I use it in the bore and on breech plug.

Great product and easy to use.

I got mine from http://www.midwayusa.com

Their service is lightning fast.

Good Luck !!

Slick50 ONE grease works as an excellent breechplug grease. About $4/tube at a Wal-Mart auto section, one tube should last you indefinitely.

Anyone that owns an Encore should get this free download http://www.bellmtcs.com/Prod_and_Serv/free_cd.htm Very good resource.

Do not neglect to clean the firing pin assembly after significant use. Failing to do so will result in rust and ignition failures.

Many, including myself, leave the extractor out of the rifle without problem - the major plus is being able to remove the breech plug without further disassembly.

Failing to breakdown the Encore for thorough cleanings will surely cause future grief.