I started hunting with a muzzleloader long before there was a muzzleloader season.
In the early 1980s, in-line breech designs revolutionized ignition systems and elevated muzzleloader use.
I’ve read that upwards of 95% of deer killed nationally with a muzzleloader each year are with an in-line, and I’d bet the majority of bear, elk and other big game are, too. Except for a handful of diehards, hunting with sidelock flintlock and percussion guns is largely a thing of the past.
I’ve owned and used in-line muzzleloaders since they first came out. My first was a MK-85 that Knight Rifles sent in 1985. I still have it in my man cave, though it seldom comes down from the rack.
Since then, I’ve hunted with various Thompson/Centers, CVAs, Traditions and Whites, all with in-line ignition. While I prefer some models over others, the design as a whole has made muzzleloading easier and more enjoyable. It also explains its enduring popularity.
The breech plug: avoid misfires with this simple step
The biggest convenience of the in-line design is the breech plug. Unlike traditional guns, in-line breech plugs are screw-in, screw-out and self-contained, allowing easy barrel cleaning and maintenance.
Most plugs are standard in design, with a primer pocket and fire channel directing the spark into the powder charge. These small components are critical; if they fail, ignition delays or misfires can occur.
For reliability, the breech plug must be kept clean. Human neglect often turns this simple task into a problem. Owners call complaining about seized plugs or misfires, all preventable with proper cleaning after every use and before storage.
Residue from even “clean-burning” substitutes builds up in the threads, fire channel and primer pocket. Most powders are hygroscopic, absorbing moisture and creating crusts that can seize the plug if left too long.
Cleaning the breech plug: keep your muzzleloader ready
Cleaning is straightforward. Remove the plug and clean the threads, primer pocket and fire channel.
Soak the plug in a solution designed for muzzleloaders, like Birchwood Casey No. 77 or Thor’s MZ Breech Plug Solution. Carburetor cleaner also works.
Use a small brush for scrubbing, a nipple pick for the fire hole and compressed air to remove moisture.
Reinsert the plug using an anti-seizing lubricant designed for high heat, like Thompson/Center’s Gorilla Grease or Thor’s MZ Ceramic Anti-Seize. Follow a repeat maintenance program, and ignition issues should be gone.
Don’t overlook the firing pin
Break-open models also require firing pin maintenance. Residue or rust can make it stick. Apply a drop of oil, work the hammer back and forth, and dry fire once or twice, wiping away excess.
Storage tips every hunter should know
For storage, I typically stow muzzleloaders muzzle-end down to prevent cleaning solvents or oils from seeping into the breech plug.
A safe with a dehumidifier is ideal. Otherwise, a hard gun case with reusable desiccant packs works well.
Big game hunting seasons may be over for now, but they aren’t truly over until your muzzleloader has been cleaned and properly stored. Take care of it, and it will do its job when the time comes.