Cleaned up new 44 mag Handi today-Used JB, Have a few Questions

[mkgeorgetown]

Hi all,
I took some time today and cleaned up (I should say degreased!) my new 44 mag handi today. It was really dirty (I have not shot it yet), the barrel I ran a patch of solvent down, then did several with the JB. I think this is the JB I hear about on this site that is used to break in the bore, it is in a little white jar. Apparently this stuff also cleans powder, copper, whatever effectively as well as it says on the pack. Anyway, the solvent patch was nasty, but the JB patches were black. I did probably 30 strokes or so then reran a solvent patch thru and a dry patch which both came out clean. Was the black that came out with JB grease from the barrel or is this some kind of polishing action from JB? I then noticed some oil or something on the shelf of my latch. I have some of that solvent degreaser stuff (it degreases but dries bone dry). I shot a bit of that in there, wiped out what I could and the rest disappeared as advertised, nice and clean and dry (should not pop open anyway). I also noticed the line across the shelf where latch goes all the way from one side to the other which would to me indicate it is latching up well. Man, I have learned from this forum. Those of you with JB experience let me know any tips (I have also looked at the faqs). I have ammo ordered, so need that and a decent day off to go sight this thing in. It's killing me. Thanks for listening to me go on about this. If I can get 2 inches or so at 75 yards I will be a  happy guy.

[quickdtoo]

Black on the patch is steel from the barrel, all mild abrasives will turn the patch black, it'll do it as long as you keep running it thru, so don't expect it to change colors!!  I use alcohol to clean the latch shelf after cleaning, it evaporates and leaves no residue like solvent will. A little hint for cleaning at the range, don't close the action if there's solvent on the latch shelf after running patches or a brush down the bore, or it will get on the latch which is hard to clean without removing the barrel. 

Tim

[mkgeorgetown]

Tim,
Thanks for the alcohol tip, that is a good one, and explaining what I am seeing per the JB, seems this JB is some good stuff, now just need to go shoot!!

Mark