Breech Plug Maintenance

[E.T.]

Most shooters have their own method and frequency of maintaining Breech plugs. I also imagine the surprise of new owners (me included) once they see a new breech plug without fouling. The picture below is the degree of fouling after 25 spent primers and at this point my bolt starts to become a little more harder to open and close because of the fouling moving upward. At this point I have now decided to do my breech plug maintenance.



The other picture is of the welding gauge (actually a torch tip cleaner) mentioned in previous posts. Easy tool to keep in the box for checking vent liner wear in my case.



The last picture is of tools I use to clean my breech plug. The item on the left is the 10/32 tap I also use to clean the vent liner threads with. This is just to insure a good coating of anti-seize lubricant is situated on the threads when it is seated.



Hope something read or seen is useful to someone else.

Ed

[DW]

Good informative post Ed, nice detailed pics.

[E.T.]

DW

Thank you for the compliment that is encouraging to me when I do something like this. This board has taught and given me a lot of returns and now I just hope to give something helpful back once and a while from sharing some of my experiences.

Ed

[RAF]

Ed, I see 2 drill bits. I assume one is a 5/32 to clean out the breech plug. The second, and I'm guessing, is to clean out the primer pocket. What size is it?

[edge]

E.T., great photos and post, I'll add to the Tips link.

edge.

[DW]

newkid said:

DW

Thank you for the compliment that is encouraging to me when I do something like this. This board has taught and given me a lot of returns and now I just hope to give something helpful back once and a while from sharing some of my experiences.

Ed

Your welcome ET, mission accomplished many times over IMO.

[E.T.]

RAF

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner as a good part of my day at work was literally spent up in the air say 185ft. doing testing on lifting attachments to vessels. ;D
The second drill I use is a 7/32” that cleans the diameter the step below where the primer is inserted. For the primer area I just use the side of this drill like a scrapper that does the cleaning I want it too. Then I’m good for at least another 25.

Ed

[Chas062]

great info, very useful thanks

[ozark]

I got lost between the 5/32 and the 7/32 drill bits. Is the hole between the primer pocket and the vent liner threads 5/32 and the primer pocket 7/32? Good informative post. Thanks.

[dave d.]

:)excellent post ed...

[RAF]

5/32 is the drill you use to clean out the breach plug. E.T uses the 7/32 to clean out the bottom of the primer pocket. I think the tip of the drill bit is the same as the bottom of the primer pocket. Then uses the sides of the drill bit to scrape out the sides of the primer pocket. At least that how I understand it.

[ozark]

Thanks RAF, One more item to go in my box. I think it now weighs more than the rifle and the scope.

[RAF]

Yours too . Yup, mine weighs a bunch but anything I need for my rifles is in there. I now have a second case for the other essentials at the range. Targets, stapler, ear protection, you know the range stuff .

[E.T.]

RAF’s interpretation of what I was trying to convey is correct. There is a small difference between the primer pocket and the next diameter step just below it.

I also have a second larger box that holds my chronograph, camera pod to hold chronograph, targets and note binder, rifle rest, rear sand bag, etc. I don’t always use my chronograph but when I want to check a load or confirm velocity for collecting data it doesn’t take long to set up.
People at the range who see me for the first time always give me a puzzled look when I unload to set up as if expecting I was taking up residence. ;D
But here I have also learned to now carefully monitor my loading stage as people often come over to ask questions about what I am doing and this distraction once when I was over tired cost me a barrel from a double load. Once was enough to instill a hard learned lesson.


Ed

[edge]

This may help visualize it: