Windex and Vinegar. You can find it in the supermarket already mixed.

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

Works great and easy to use. Yes, easier than soap and water. I can bring it with me to spray on patches, down barrels or to drench
a lock clean.

I have been practicing all week with my Ruger Old Army. Our second black powder season opens in a couple of weeks. Tried several loads with round ball and Lee Old Army bullet, Goex, white hots and Shockey,s Gold. Settled on a home made dipper made from a 44 special case, full of Shockey,s Gold and Lee bullet, consistent 2" groups from a rest at 25 yards when I am REAL carefull with the loading process. Mixed a little vinegar Windex and some Dawn with boiling water, every thing came clean as a wistle. I had sprayed it down with Ballistol at the end of each shooting session so the residue was already pretty soft. Four days of practice, eight cylinders full each day.

I have used them all. Just about anything with a water base will clean the stuff. Over the years, to include quite a few years competing every weekend, I came to the conclusion that those old match shooters may know a thing or two. What works better than anything I have ever used, and I mean hands down better, is a combination of 1/3 Murphy's Oil Soap, 1/3 Rubbing Alcohol, and 1/3 Hydrogen Peroxide from the drug store. The common type off the shelf. Stir together and keep it in a light proof container because the hydrogen peroxide component will weaken with exposure to light. I keep it in a throat spray bottle, such as a Chloraseptic bottle, spray painted black. I have used the same bottle for 15 years plus at this point. They last very well. This stuff will dissolve and carry away black powder residue like nothing I have ever seen. No damage to metal or wood either. Cheap and easy to make. I spray it on the patches. When shooting matches I used to lay out patches, give them a light spray and kept them in a ziplock. Between each shot I would run one down the bore, flip it over, run it again, and then run a dry patch the same way. Golden. My Green Mountain .40 barrel is as good now as it was new.

PS. I have no idea on earth how well this stuff works on artificial black powder. That stuff was placed here on earth by satan to tempt us from the true path. When encountering artificial black powder, throw garlic at it, avert your eyes, pray and hug your Goex tightly. All will be well.