Black Powder Rifle Cleaning System

1)  Assemble cleaning rod by screwing cleaning rod tubes together. NOTE: The tube with four holes drilled near the end receives the cleaning hydro-head and therefore is the end tube of the cleaning rod.

 

2) Attach rubber hose to barbed nozzle, keeping the cleaning rod elevated above the bucket.

 

3) Fill the bucket with one to five gallons of hot or cold soapy water. Four gallons is typically sufficient. Liquid dish soap works well, three to four tablespoons is adequate.

 

NOTE: Using hot water works excellent but has been suspected of causing "flash rust". This has not been noticed when cold water is used.

 

NOTE: If the cleaning rod is not elevated above the bucket water line, water will begin draining out of barbed nozzle. 

 

4) Insert male DC plug with ON/OFF switch into the socket of the cleaning bucket. Insure the switch is in the OFF position.

 

5) Insert the DC male plug without the ON/OFF switch into the 12V power supply.

 

6) Position firearm horizontally in front of the cleaning system, slightly to the left if cleaning right handed, slightly to the right if cleaning left handed.

 

NOTE: Firearm positioned with muzzle slightly lower than the breech is suggested, but not required. Firearm may be turned slightly, allowing the touch hole or nipple to face down to minimize soapy water from running onto stock. If you are concerned for moisture running onto the stock, plug the touch hole or nipple with a round toothpick (not included) or other object. If you plug the touch hole or nipple, it is strongly recommended that the muzzle be positioned lower than the breech to allow soapy water to exit the bore.

 

7) Attach the cleaning hydro-head onto the cleaning rod with the four small holes.

 

8) Place a cleaning patch over the hydro-head and insert into the muzzle.

 

9) Activate the pumping action by turning on the switch of the DC plug inserted into the cleaning bucket.

 

10) Once water begins to pump out of the hydro-head and sidewall holes, slide the cleaning rod down the bore with slow strokes.  Keep these strokes at a maximum gap of 8 inches between muzzle and hand to prevent damaging or breaking the cleaning rod.

 

11) Once contact is made with the breech plug, begin pulling the cleaning rod out. During the process, powder residue will be flushed out of the muzzle and touch hole or nipple.

 

12) Repeat steps 10 and 11, inspecting and changing the patch when necessary, until patch appears clean.

 

13) Once clean, insure bore is dried of any moisture by running dry cleaning patches up and down the bore. Water displacement chemicals, such as WD-40, isopropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol may also be used to aid in this process.

 

14) With the bore clean and free of any moisture, apply a thin layer of gun oil or any rust preventative of your choice.

 

***For added cleaning assistance:

 

The hydro-head was designed with scrapping paddles. If used, slide the cleaning rod down the bore as in Step 9 and 10, but without the cleaning patch. When the cleaning rod reaches the breech plug, rotate the cleaning rod in a clockwise manner, careful not to pinch off the rubber hose. The scrapping paddles will remove fowling on the breech plug as the water will flush it away.

 

***Kalver Black Powder Cleaner System and Muzzleloader Cleaner***