No time like the present for rifle and muzzleloader maintenance

The modern gun deer season in Kentucky ended weeks ago and the late muzzleloader season closes this weekend.

The holidays are a good time to check one item off your to-do list: ensuring your rifle is clean and in tip-top shape for the next hunting season.

A well-maintained rifle can last generations and will perform better over time. Neglecting routine maintenance can lead to a buildup of gunpowder residue and metal fouling.

Before undertaking any cleaning routine, first make sure the rifle is not loaded.

For centerfire rifles, clean the barrel with patches wet with gun cleaner first, then, a wet brush for five to 10 passes. After the initial cleaning, continue to use dry patches until they come out clean. A light coat of oil then can be applied in the bore.

Place a piece of wood on the end of the barrel to prevent the cleaning rod from coming out.

While you’re at it, check the bedding screws. Wood stocks tend to shrink and swell with changing environmental conditions and that can loosen those screws. For pesky screws that refuse to stay tight, securing them with blue Loctite.

If your rifle is a bolt action, remove the bolt and cleaning the bolt face and the receiver inside the action with a toothbrush-style cleaning brush. Then, wipe with a light coat of oil. Wipe down the outside of the rifle and clean the lenses on the scope.

For muzzleloaders, hot soapy water effectively cuts through black powder residue and the heat from the water helps dry remaining moisture inside of the barrel after running a dry patch through it, Marraccini explained.

If you can remove the barrel, set the base of it in the water and work the cleaning rod similar to a plunger.

Treat the exterior of a muzzleloader the same as you would any rifle: wipe it dry and remove any fingerprints.

With flintlock muzzleloaders, he advises cleaning the area around the lock. On a percussion cap muzzleloader, a nipple pick and a nipple wrench help clean hard-to-reach areas.

Once clean, it’s ready to be stored in a gun safe.