copper fouling

[flathead]

Hello,

I'm trying to remove copper from a 257R. Its at about 90%, but I'm having one heck of a time with the last ten very stubborn percent. I've been using Shooter's Choice copper solvent and Sweet's 7.62, both of which I had on hand. The Sweet's is definitely outperforming the other. I just can't get out that last little bit. Does anyone have a pet formula they use or a "state of the art" solution that I haven't tried? Thank you for the help and God Bless! This is in prep. for handloading Barne's TSXs which I've heard require a very clean barrel.

[quickdtoo]

WipeOut or one of the other foaming bore cleaners is the easy way, just foam the bore and let it set over night, repeat as necessary until there's no blue patches. If you want to use some elbow grease, JB non-embedding bore compound is real popular. Some of the more agressive copper solvents are Montana Extreme 50BMG and Tipton's Truly Remarkable Bore Cleaning Solvent.

Tim

http://www.6mmbr.com/borecleaning.html

[Grumulkin]

I use Barnes CR-10 bore cleaner.  It WILL get every last bit of copper out.

I think it's an error to think one product will clean every thing out of a barrel.  I use, in addition to Barnes CR-10, Shooters Choice and Microlon Gun Juice.  I read some reviews about Wipe Out on the Midway USA site.  One poster complained about barrel rust after Wipe Out application which kind of scared me away from using it in anything but a stainless steel barrel.

[Glanceblamm]

I use the Hoppes benchrest copper solvent which is ok, but sometimes needs to set overnight with the barrel wet to get everything out.
The Barnes CR-10 does seem to get very good reviews here, I might caution all on chasing one brand with another as there may be some instances where you might create a corrosive or caustic brew that may cause rust & worse.

[Daniel]

I've tried several copper solvents. Here are the ones I can still remember:

Sweets 7.62
Barnes CR-10
Extreme Coppermelt
Hoppes Benchrest
KG-12
Wipeout
Montana Extreme 50-BMG (they call it something else now I think)
Butch's Bore Shine

There have been others, I just can't recall them.

The ones I use almost exclusively now are the Montana Extreme 50-BMG and Wipeout. If I want the job done quickly I'll use the 50-BMG. If time is of no concern I'll usually use the Wipeout, letting it soak all night. Just one caution about 50-BMG, it's strong stuff and should be used only in a well ventilated area.

Another option, one that I use every 2 to 3 hundred rounds, is JB bore paste.

For some good info on bore cleaning go to this site: www.6mmbr.com/borecleaning.html

[gypsyman]

Flathead, I happen to sell all those products. They all work pretty good. The one thing people forget, is if your using a phosphor bronz bore brush, you very well might be picking up the blue tint on the patch, from scrubbing the barrel in between applying the solvent. The amonia disolves the brush, and you can pick up the blue tint that way. I suggest trying a nylon brush, wrapped with a patch. Your barrel is probably clean. We keep trying peace, it usually doesn't work!!Remember(12/7/41)(9/11/01) gypsyman

[quickdtoo]

Here are a couple previous threads on copper solvents and bore cleaning.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,76619.msg472642.html#msg472642

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,97144.msg1098244714.html#msg1098244714

[flathead]

Thanks for all the help. I have a new plan of attack now.

Gypsyman...thanks for that suggestion but I know I still have copper because I can actually see a bright gold/orangy strip in one of the rifling grooves. Shines with a bore light very nicely. I'm assuming thats copper. Sure looks like copper to me. Thanks again all and God Bless!

[KN]

Great tip from gypsyman, You can chase the blue residue forever if you are using a bronze brush. I also use the Barnes CR-10. Best stuff I have ever come across for copper, and fast.   KN

[Lead pot]

Once the copper is ironed in it's tough to get out.
When one cleans a rifle and dont spend the time to remove all the copper fouling it gets ironed into the pores.
Like glanceblamm said don't use different bore cleaners with out completely removing what you used before.
One thing you don't want to do is soak a solvent that contains ammonia for a long Perot of time or you will change the barrel.
When I get done shooting I clean at the range while the rifle is still warm. I run several patches of Kr-oil  and that takes care of my rifles, and if I need to I will use shooters choice with a nylon brush to finish it.
I stay away from abrasive cleaners, there are more barrels ruined cleaning then shooting.


Kurt

[hunt127588]

I saw somewhere on the 'net where they mentioned running a patch of Sweets 7.62 followed by a patch of a peroxide. The peroxide will react to the ammonia causing a foam which will chemically react with the copper. Leave it in for 15 min. and then swab out. This should get it clean.

[SHOOTALL]

I plug the bbl with a patch and fill with ammonia , yes it will leak slow so put it in a pan until it is drained , remove the patch  , then run patches thru. soaked in ammonia until the green stops coming out , then repete !
this is best done in a very well vented area ! if ya check alot of the reg. bore cleaners have ammonia in them !
this way the cost is household not the gun fund !
i make sure none gets on wood and oil gun good !
sometimes just a few wet patches will do the trick , no need to soak .
i wear safety glasses and gloves when doing this !