I have some Buffalo Arms 44-40 that will be arriving today. It's the 200 gr RNFP BP ammo. I'm anxious to shoot it, but I'd like to get some input on cleaning up the gun after I shoot. What are you doing?

You will find that cleanup is easy, as long as the Buffalo Arms loads carry enough lube on the bullets.

I recently put 100 .44-40 black powder handloads through my Uberti 1860 Henry. Fifty were loaded with 28 grains of 3Fg Goex plus cornmeal filler so there wasn't air space, while the other 50 were full-power loads with 35 grains of 3Fg Goex. Bullets were home cast from an Accurate Molds 43-215C mold, which carry a lot of lube. Swiss black powder burns a lot cleaner.

To clean the rifle afterwards I used cotton flannel patches wet with a "moose milk" of Ballistol and water. About 25% Ballistol with the rest water but the mix isn't critical. What is needed is the water -- you can use a mix of soapy water, windshield wiper fluid, or Windex. Black powder solvent is water soluble.

It took about a dozen wet patches through the bore before they started coming out clean. Then a couple dry patches followed up with oil to prevent rust (I used straight Ballistol).

If you can support the rifle so that it lays horizontally with the action open and ejection port facing down, it will keep any fouling or solvent from getting into the action.

Seriously, it's easier than cleaning an AR15 or an AK.

You got me curious.  I shoot corrosive ammo so I was at first thinking that the process would be the same.  Humm.....so I looked into it.

Yup, it's the same general procedure that I use when cleaning my Mosin Nagant after firing corrosive ammo.  BTW.....the article goes on to mention "modern methods."

Aloha, Mark

Sounds about right; my only relevant experience is with a flintlock Kentucky rifle. Hot water with dish soap will do the trick.

BTW, if you want to save the brass you'll need to soak it in soapy water and rinse thoroughly, to get the fouling out. Last time I shot BP .44-40s, I brought a plastic jug with soapy water in it and dumped my brass in it immediately, although you can wait a bit.

Good tip. Thanks.

Dave M pretty much nailed it, but I cut my water and Ballistol 7-1, some of the CAS guy even go 9 or 10 to 1.

I have a Uberti '66 Sporting Rifle in 44-40 and two ancient '73 Winchester's in 38-40. I've shot GOEX and Swiss in all of them. Swiss is MUCH cleaner burning, easier to clean and can go longer without cleaning.

This stuff is loaded with Swiss.

If you haven't ever tried Swiss, you will be amazed at how much cleaner burning it is vs. Goex.