Back from the Dead

[Cemetery]

So, a few weeks ago I acquired a Winchester '73 that, by the amount of crude and slop within it, and a gunked up safety that wouldn't let the trigger work, probably hasn't been fired in over 100 years.

Loaded up some 44.40, with black magic, to the rim with BOOM, and had that baby roaring. 

So here's my questions.  

1) I washed the barrel out with HOT HOT HOT water and soapy water, then dry patches till dry.  Then the Murphy's mix patches till clean, then dry patches.  Finally, a patch of Balistol.  

Well, the patch of Balistol came out **BLACK**!!  Like I didn't even clean it in the first place.  So, what's that all about??  Just loose crude that got blown/shaken/cleaned loose?  Flash rust?  The patch looked like I dropped it in mud.

2) Anybody got any tips on washing out the barrel, without removing the stock, and running HOT water from breach to muzzle?  I was thinking of getting a funnel and some plastic hose.

Thanks in advance.

[August]

My approach would have been 1) brake cleaner, sprayed liberally and frequently from breech to muzzle, 2) Bore tech solvent five times with patches from breech to muzzle,  3) nylon brush that's tight to bore three times with Boretech from breech to muzzle -- unscrewing brush at muzzle to prevent dragging back through bore,  4) five more VERY WET Boretech patches,  5) repeat step #4 every two hours for several days (!), letting the bore "soak" for several hours each time,  6) Then, I would inspect the bore for lead and brush accordingly, repeating step #4 each time, 7) repeat #6 until satisfied that I can live with the result, finish with Hornady One Shot Cleaner/Lube. 

I'm just saying that's what I would do, not that you should.

I've always gotten "new" crud from a barrel after I thought it was clean.

[Cemetery]

My approach would have been 1) brake cleaner, sprayed liberally and frequently from breech to muzzle.

I forgot about brake cleaner!!  Thanks for the reminder.

I'm just not sure what the deal is, since this is how I clean my modern firearms after shooting bp, and the patch of balistol comes out just as clean going in, as going in.

[Montana Slim]

I'll guess you cleaned the BP firing residue out with your cleaning, and then uncovered prior years of accumulated fouling.
The bore may also be pitted in areas which will not clean as easy. Repeated cleaning sessions are likely the cure. I'd give it multiple treatments with JB bore paste & Kroil..Let the Kroil set overnight & it really does it's best work.

Regards,
Slim

[Drayton Calhoun]

Had an old Mosin-Nagant that looked like it hadn't been cleaned since WWII. Read that plugging the breech good and pouring Hydrogen Peroxide in the bore and letting it sit for a few MINUTES then cleaning it will remove old fouling and leading. Word of warning, only a few minutes then clean like crazy. The Peroxide gets under the leading and lifts it. Peroxide will promote corrosion if left too long. The Murphy's/Alcohol/Peroxide solution should work just as well though.