Cleaning really dirty barrels,

M

MR.G

New member
Does it hurt a stainless barrel to leave bore solvent, like Hoppes or Birchwood Casey, in it overnight to loosen the lead and copper ?
 
If it is REALLY dirty, I'd get some Butch's Bore Shine, and soak it overnight. Then use a benchrest bronze brush, and give it about 10-20 strokes (using a good bore guide), then patch it out with a few wet patches, then a few dry patches. Run ONE patch of Sweet's through, then follow in a couple-three minutes (NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES for the Sweet's) with a couple of dry patches. If the dry patches show blue/green, you've still got copper in the barrel. Soak it down again, brush it some more, etc...
 
I normally shoot an economical, accurate, but very dirty sooty brand of ammo, Selier & Bellot. After going at the bore with Hoppes numbah nine to remove copper 'n stuff, the only thing that works for me (I think I've tried them all, shooters choice, pro-shot, miracle this and that) in removing the stubborn tarry gunk is guess what...a "Goop" style hand cleaner with a phosphor bronze brush...
 
Most of the standard bore solvents like Hoppes or Birchwood Casey won't harm a barrel if allowed to soak overnight.
Some of the super strong ammonia based might, but they usually warn you on the label not to allow to soak for long periods.

It's been common practice for many, many years to soak bore's for long periods. If there was any harm done, we would have heard about it some time ago.
 
I asked an acquaintence who is a chemical engineer. He stated that ammonia is not corrosive for carbon steel or stainless steel. It is, however, tough on phosphor-bronze brushes & jags.

FWIW

JQ
 
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