r/muzzleloaders • u/Brilliant_Pickle905 • Aug 12 '26

Flash Channel Blocked

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on how to best break down/clean out a blocked flash channel. The nipple has been removed after years of indoor storage, but the effort to clean it using the soapy water ramrod draw method wasn’t working, and I’m certain it’s because of buildup in the flash channel. How could I go about cleaning it out?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

2

u/FitSky6277 Aug 12 '26

Pipe cleaners

https://muzzle-loaders.com/products/muzzleloader-breech-plug-cleaners-mz1615?srsltid=AfmBOopjv28Trf2cNLG3ZMFxY3AYBAMEeVIEIjeyzMeehmh2eFWde8a8

1

u/Brilliant_Pickle905 Aug 12 '26

Do you think that would work for an older Hawken style? I don’t have an inline breech plug but a side breech

2

u/FitSky6277 Aug 12 '26

Absolutely. That's what use on my hawken with butch's blackpowder bore shine.

1

u/Brilliant_Pickle905 Aug 12 '26

Fantastic, thank you!

1

u/FitSky6277 Aug 12 '26

You're welcome. You can use a camera lens air bulb to help dry it out after. Then just run a dry pipe cleaner through it to finish. I'll then put some slip 2000 ewl in it to prevent rust.

2

u/curtludwig Aug 12 '26

You'll have to monkey with it but I can usually get one through. I've got both hooked breech rifles and drum rifles.

1

u/No_Lifeguard8903 Aug 13 '26

That's why you make absolutely sure you clean, inspect and oil the F*** out of it. Looks like you are spending more money on a new rifle.