Is my bore clean?

[jpuke]

I'm fairly new to rifles, I've had my .308 Rem 7 for about a year and a half and I've put 550 rounds through it.  I have a blued barrel and it doesn't matter how much I clean it (and I always do, even if I just shoot 5 rounds) the lands are rust colored.  Is this copper fouling?  I used to use just Hoppe's #9 but I've been using Butch's Bore shine for about a month now.  It shoots fine, in fact I usually have to put 5 rounds through it just to get it to group the way it normally does.  I think it's clean, but I'd like to hear from one of you out there with more experience in these things.  Thanks.

[dbuck]

Purchase some JB Bore Paste and and get a jag for your cleaning rod and follow instructions, you will be surprised in what you fine.  Run it through about 5 to 7 times using the same patch, it real be pretty dirty and then clean the bore again using Butch's.

dbuck

[swecology]

Ya know, I have the same thing in all three of my rifles -, Win. M70 .30-06 Sprg., Ruger M77 .25-06 Rem., and a Marlin 336 .30 WCF.  I have the same question - is it copper fouling?   I think so, but I'm not sure.

My cleaning regimen is Shooter's Choice followed by a coating of Break Free CLP.  

BTW - I'm in Arizona, where the humidity is really low and things don't rust that often. :?:

[eroyd]

I bought a bore light and almost freaked after seeing what I thought was rust in my bore. I scrubbed the bore, used some Sweet's 7.62 copper remover (the patches came out blue) and then some JB's to get all the colour out. Next day after firing a few rounds the bore was painted again. Guess it's normal to expect some copper fouling. Seems it shows in some barrels more than others. More obvious in larger calibers.

[KN]

Yes thats perfectly normal. You are seeing copper in the grooves of the bore. The easiest way to get it out is with a copper remover such as Barnes CR10 or one of the other brands. BUT, I wouldnt even use it unless accuracy is deteriorating. If I am shooting prairie dogs I will use it after about 400 rounds. For casual shooting I don't use it. After you fire the first shot it's going to be back in the barrel again any way. So I only use it when I think accuracy is suffering. If you decide to use it read the instructions carefully because if you leave it in too long you can damage the bore. And do not use it on a chrome lined barrel such as in an AR-15. Hope this helps.   KN

[ccanevit]

So exactly what do you all think is the best method for cleaning your bores?
brush first, with or without a solvent?
patch loop?
jag?
Ever used one of them boresnakes?

[eroyd]

Clean bolt face, breech area first.

Using a bore guide and a good clean cleaning rod.

Jag w/solvent soaked patches until fairly clean - patches are alowed to drop off at muzzle and not reused.

A few full passes with a brush.

Jag w/solvent as above.

If there is stubborn crud or copper fowling I might use a copper solvent or even JB's bore polish using instructions on containers followed again by the solvent patches.

Jag and dry patch to remove excess solvent

Jag w/ a good water dispursing oil.

[MF]

I friend just gave me an aerosol can of "Wipe-Out" brushless bore cleaner. He says it's the best thing he has ever used. I haven't tried it yet. Anybody here have any experience with it?

[tominboise]

To remove copper fouling, I either use Barnes CR-10 (for light fouling, following the label directions), or, I will plug the camber and soak the barrel with Butches bore shine for 4 or 5 hours, or perhaps even overnight.  It works great, but it helps to have all the powder fouling cleaned out first.

I either plug the muzzle end with a tapered plastic cap from a gear lube bottle, or I have also used the Sinclair chamber plugs.  Either work fine.

HTH