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Author Topic: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner  (Read 1175 times)

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Offline jwelch1103

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Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« on: September 13, 2006, 05:56:34 AM »
I have read several posts where people suggest rubbing alcohol as a cleaner for ML's. The strongest solution I can find at the pharmacy is 91% alcohol. Is this OK to use? I imagine the balance of the solution is water. Also there is 70% available and I was wondering which strength people have had success with when it comes to cleaning the ML bore. Thanks
JW
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Offline flintlock

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2006, 06:06:45 AM »
Either will work...I put in a spray bottle and dampen two patches, use both sides and then run a dry patch, followed by a slightly oiled patch and then run another dry patch between shots....

Don't use too much or you will contaminate the powder for the next shot...

Don't worry about a little water, as most of us used hot water or even a spit patch between shots for years....
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Offline Biff Mayhem

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2006, 07:35:39 AM »
That rubbing alcohol cleans up better than any blackpowder solvent I ever purchased.... much-much cheaper too! Just remember when using copper, plastic or have traces of shiny light gray on your patches (leading) -- that you need to purchase the proper solvent to remove this stuff.

Copper fouling is really hard to detect. With a copper solvent like Barnes CR-10, Sweets... etc ...on hand, you will begin to see blue patches around several minutes after wetting the bore in the solution.

I have eliminated all copper bullets from my MLs. I'm down to only one ML that shoots plastic sabots. So most-all of my MLs now only see a cleaning ritual of 91% rubbing alcohol and All-Purpose Ballistol these days ---  always with a bore brush and always with a 3 inch patch.
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Offline savageT

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2006, 08:30:53 AM »
Rubbing Alcohol, or iso-propanol comes as you say in 91% or 70% depending on how much water it contains.  Either way, water is attracted to alcohol like a nail is to a magnet.  Naturally, if left un-capped, alcohol will absorb water out of the atmosphere.
It is an excellent cleaner/solvent for black powder use (but then so is Windex w/vinegar), and that contains alcohol too!  I use 91% rubbing alcohol swab after using hot water and soap to clean my muzzle loader with a bore mop.  It gets rid of the last vestige of water that may linger to cause rusting and doesn't leave any residue behind.
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Offline Encore28

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2006, 02:31:02 PM »
Rubbing Alcohol is all I use to clean ALL of my blackpowder guns!!!
Encore28
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Offline encore4me

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2006, 08:14:08 AM »
 I have great success with 50% alochol 50% windex. I buy the round patches and put them in a clean used plastic snuff can and then dampen them. They stay damp a long time that way and are easily stored.



Matt
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Offline slayer

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2006, 08:37:29 AM »
How long does it take the inside of the barrel to dry after running a patch of 91% Alcohoil or Windex with vinegar? i may switch to one of these. Thanks-Jack.
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Offline flintlock

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2006, 08:47:43 AM »
slayer...I don't wait for it to dry...I always just dampen the patch...and run a dry patch followed by an oiled patch, followed by another dry patch when I shoot...When I am cleaning up at the end of the session, I use wetter patches...It usually takes 4-5 (both sides, I'm cheap)...before I get a clean patch...then I run a couple of dry ones, followed by your choice of lubricant....
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Offline bubba

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2006, 10:44:40 AM »
I buy the alcohol swabs undividually packaged and easier to carry around.
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Offline upnorth

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2006, 11:08:00 AM »
my encore has a problem with the crud ring and t-7, and I use the alcohol between shots at the range. It cuts the crud ring, and leaves the barrel dry in a few seconds. I don't use solvent until I'm done for the day. My rifle shoots very consistant when I use this method. No first round flier.
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Offline slayer

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Re: Rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2006, 05:09:06 AM »
Thanks fellas :)Jack.
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