The Sorely NEGLECTED 10ML-II Breechplug!
It is a fact the Savage 10ML-II is the most maintenance free muzzleloader made today. The 10ML-II is SO maintenance free, when used with non-corrosive Accurate Arms 5744 or other Savage approved propellant-- it can easily give the impression that no regular maintenance is ever required at all. Well, almost-- but your 10ML-II breechplug DOES indeed require service on a regular basis. Most accuracy or ignition problems can be traced directly back to a breechplug that has never, ever been properly cleaned. Has yours?
Fortunately, it is an easy task. Remove your breechplug, and then the ventliner.
Grab a 5/32" drill bit, and going in from the primer side-- drill the carbon out, that is left by the 209 primer compound. You just might be surprised how much you get out the first time your electric drill goes through! Every 100 shots, easy to track with every empty box of 209 primers should indicate that it is time to decarbon your breechplug. It is only a couple minutes to drill out the carbon, clean externally with Hoppe's or BrakeKleen, relube both ventliner and breechplug threads with Mil-Spec 907E Anti-Seize, and reinstall. Now, your gun will perform as new again. Every couple of hundred shots, you'll likely want to screw in a new vent-liner as well-- or, once a year for most shooters.
That's all there
is to it, but it is vitally important that you do take care of
your breechplug as mentioned. This will insure that your lifetime
muzzleloader always performs at its very best, year after year,
deer after deer.
"When in doubt, drill it out!"
© 2004 by Randy Wakeman
