I think i would try real fine steel wool, and hot soapy water in combination to start out. A little roughness in an ML barrel isn't necessarily bad, and old ones were some times pissed in, and then left to rust overnight, so as to get rid of "slick" barrel condition.

You should be able to get a ram rod at most sport shops. You may need to cut them down a bit, but the synthetic (not fibergal) rods are generally better than wood. If you just want something in it to sell, stick in a hardware store dowel. it will work for awhile. Let the next guy fiddle with it.

A freind got a good garage sale deal on a ML this past weekend. The seller had a TC rifle in the front of the safe he pulled out first. It was an estate type sale, and he was helping out his sister or some such. didn't know squat about guns. He asked $250 for it. That one was turned down. Then Don spotted another further back in the safe, and asked about it. The guy says it doesn't have a name on it, so he would sell it for $150. It was immediately snatched up. We believe it was an early Sharon Rifle Works rifle, that was made for a town celebration years ago.  .54 Sharon barrel, L&R lock, set triggers, beautiful birds eye maple stock. Never been fired, the rear sight had never even had a notch filed in it. I offered Don a profit, but he turned me down.

" Bought a CVA "Wolf" model 50 caliber at a yard sale today.  Obviously hadn't been cleaned after being fired so there is rust in the barrel.  Would appreciate input as to the easiest and hopefully best method to clean it up."

This might be a good time to try some "Kroil",  if you've got it in hand.  Keep the patch wet, and leave it wet overnight, before wipping it clean and then re-oiling.

If you dont have Kroil, using a .30 cal rifle brush, wrapped in steel wool, and Eds Red might do the trick too. Of course. it all depends on deep the rust is, but  for the most part surface rust is not the killer some folks think it is. Again, depending on how deep it is.  If it truly hadn't been cleaned since it was fired there may be a problem.

Russ