Author Topic: Cleaning Dilemma! (Read 619 times)

De41mag · « **on:** March 16, 2005, 01:18:26 PM »

OK, call my crazy or what but, In my experience I have found that using Butch's Bore Shine and Pro Shot cleaning bore brushes do not mix!
What seems to be happining is that the ammonia in the Butch's solvent is breaking down the brushes from Pro Shot.
I can clean a barrel, which seems to take FOREVER to get the copper fouling out, never dipping the brush more than the first time in the solvent, then when I'm finished cleaning, clean the brushes with hot soapy water and let air dry. So..... the next time I go to use that same brush, it no longer fits the bore, to small. No resistance in the bore. Then trying it for a third or fourth time the bristles start coming loose from the brass wrap or twist.
If I'm not mistaken, is bronze really a mixture of copper and tin?
But I'm telling you, my bore will look clean, and I can run a bore brush down the barrel several times, with Butch's on it and right away the solvent has turned a bright blue. and I think the blue on the patch is actually from the brush.
Since then I've went back to Shooters Choice and have had no problems with the brushes not fitting the bore and no where near the blue on the patches. And I clean my guns after no more than two shooting sessions, except for the 223 barrel which shoots better dirty.
Anyone else had these kind of problems?
Thanks.

Dennis

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2005, 01:50:09 PM »

For brushes, I bought a set of Tipton's nylon brushes, I bought their jag set too for that matter (Midway items). They have their own case, so I don't have a bag of stuff to sort thru to find the correct size. For copper removal (a rarity now that I shoot cast in most everything) I use Wipeout, no brush needed.

Ian

Mac11700 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2005, 07:13:04 PM »

Same here...that's why I switched over to Hoppes #9 Tynex Brushes...they are stainless...and some tuff...and I mean tuff...plastic/nylon type material...I've used them with Barnes CR-10...and not one has lost it's size...they are about $1.50 each...

www.Hoppes.com

Mac

Duce · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2005, 01:16:45 AM »

De41Mag: If you're using a brass brush, brass is an alloy of copper and tin. If your using a high ammonia cleaner, not only are you dissolving the copper fouling in the barrel but the brush as well. I learned it the hard way, couldn't keep from getting blue patches when I was trying to get some nasty fouling out of a barrel. Been There, Done That :-D<>< Duce:

De41mag · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2005, 07:28:39 PM »

Duce, Mac;

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering if someone else had the same problem as myself.
Man, I was really getting mad using all those cleaning patches that kept coming out a royal blue. As much as I keep my firearms clean, I kept wondering where all that copper fouling was coming from, and it was different brand of bullets, Sierra, Speer, Hornady.
Thanks again fellas.

Dennis

James B · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2005, 08:54:26 AM »

I had that trouble too. When trying to clean up after shooting the Barnes X bullet. I ordered a nylon brush set and the problem went away. I am now just starting to use the Barnes COATED X bullets. People have told be that the coating fouls the barrel as well but is much easier to remove than the copper. They sure foul the inside of the seater die when I seat the bullets. I love the performance of the Barnes bullets but I hate the cleaning part.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2005, 09:10:01 AM »

I've found that shooting both the standard bullets and the coated ones without cleaning really screws your accuracy up bigtime...especially the Barnes blue coated ones...it isn't as bad with using Winchesters black coated ones...but I wouldn't recommend shooting both...I made the mistake of trying 3 different barands of factory ammo standard,brass bullets...Federals loading of the Barnes...and Winchesters Supreme ammo...all on one range session... :oops: duh...bad mistake...and 2-1/2 hours of cleaning when I got home. and that's with a handlapped barrel too.....my advice...don't mix different types when shooting ...

Mac

Duce · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2005, 09:17:32 AM »

Folks: Another problem rears it's ugly head. I've shot some moly coated bullets, honestly I'm neither hot or cold on them. After a range session though, I'll clean and clean only to pull black patches. Is that the moly coming out of the barrel??? Thanks: :-) <>< Duce:

Mac11700 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2005, 09:49:32 AM »

Yep...most likely it is...do a light hand lapping with Flitz in the bore...then a complete cleaning to take it back down to metal...shooters choice works real good afterwards...or Barnes CR-10...unless you going to continue shooting the moly coated bullets...then wait till your accuracy falls off...before scrubbing all the way down...I'll test my coated bullets all by themselves from now on...and do it just like Barnes states to do...works great for the Black Winchesters...or the Blue Barnes...

Mac