Any BPCR fans?

analog_peninsula · Jul 13, 2026

I just picked up my first BPCR, a C Sharps .40-70 Sharps Bottleneck which is very new territory for me. Case forming isn’t a big deal once I get my hands on a set of dies, which seems to be a slow process, but dealing with black powder clean up is something of a concern and any hints or tips would be greatly welcome. The rifle appears to be in great shape, and I’m really looking forward to shooting it.

SFRanger7GP · Jul 13, 2026

When I was going through what Mama calls my "cowboy years" I shot a lot of BPC in rifle and pistol. I used Dawn dishwashing soap and Ballistol. I kept a couple tuppers with soaked patches. One with soapy patches and one with Ballistol. I ran the soapy patches through the bore until it was "mostly clean" and then finished with Ballistol patches. In my experience, Dawn dish detergent and Ballistol are a BPCR shooter's best friend for clean up. For casings, I kept a big juice jug with a soapy Dawn solution. I would throw the casings in the soapy water and let it bounce around in the back of the truck driving home. When I got home, I rinsed them with water as hot as I could stand it then threw them in the tumbler. Easy clean up.

For BPCR rifles, I had 3 Shiloh Sharps that were never fouled with that fancy smokeless stuff.

When I got home from the range or hunting, I took them apart (very easy) and used a stiff nylon brush and Ballistol to clean and lube.

One thing I forgot, get or make a blow tube and blow through the bore after each shot. It will make the bore easier to clean and you can get a lot more shots between wiping the bore.

Good luck and have fun!

Safe shooting!

Green Chile · Jul 13, 2026

Great subject. I’ve owned numerous Shilohs but my current BPCR is a CPA in .40-65.

Wyfox · Jul 13, 2026

I shoot a Shiloh Sharps 45-70
Windex w/vinegar works best for cleaning black powder.

Grumpy gumpy · Jul 13, 2026

My Remington No.1 rolling block, chambered to be the equivalent of a 45/100( 500gn projectile,16/1, breach seated and a 45/70 case stuffed with 92 gns of 2P and a 3/32 cardboard wad on top to keep the powder in) I wipe between shots, one wet patch, soluble oil and water, and one dry patch.
Gumpy

62flint · Jul 13, 2026

I don’t shoot cartridge but I shoot a lot of flintlocks.
I use equal parts. Murphy oil soap, rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. Don’t let it sit on a wood finish.
Also car washer fluid works decent.

Grumpy gumpy · Jul 13, 2026

This one I wanted to be a bit different
A martini cadet in 32-35 ( the ammo was obsolete by 1930) that I built as an offhand schutzen rifle. Again cleaned between shots like the Remington, but this uses fixed ammo with a 150gn 20/1 lead projectile and 27 gns of 3P . I make the brass from 30-30 cases
Gumpy

DaddyFlip · Jul 13, 2026

I've posted this before in Single Shot Saturday. Original military rolling block with modern Remington 45-70 barrel; Browning BPCR in 40-65 with MVA 6x scope. I would like to have a 16lb Sharps in 45-110; I've passed on two in the last year...

Ridge Runner · Jul 13, 2026

Original Winchester, 1892, manufactured in 1894 in 32-20 caliber. This is a transition rifle as it has the stronger receiver designed to shoot both the black powder cartridge and the "new" smokeless cartridge.

It's nice being able to choose which cartridge to have fun with; 20-22 grains 3F BP for range shooting, and a smokeless recipe load for hunting.

Any BPCR fans?

analog_peninsula

SFRanger7GP

Green Chile

Wyfox

Grumpy gumpy

62flint

Grumpy gumpy

DaddyFlip

Ridge Runner

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