I've been shooting for 25 years or so, but I've always been pretty lazy about cleaning - I'd run a few patches soaked in Hoppes #9 through every couple of years, and maybe squirt some gun scrubber followed by CLP in the action every so often. I do live in a dry climate and store them in a safe with a golden rod - so I haven't had many rust problems.
But I recently bought some 8mm Mauser rifles and a Russian M44. And a bunch of old corrosive ammo to use with them. I think its time I bought some good cleaning supplies and got into the habbit of properly cleaning all my guns. Which leads to my questions...
1) What cleaning rods do you like? I have a bunch of old, mis-matched, multi-piece aluminum rods, but it looks like stainless steel (coated and uncoated) may be better. Seems like they would be harder on the bore, but manufacturers claim otherwise. Do you agree? I'm leaning toward a 1-piece plastic coated steel rod.
2) What is the technique for a normal, basic cleaning (brass or plastic brush followed by patches? Solvent on brush/patches? etc.
I know that the corrosive ammo probably requires some H2O or ammonia before the normal cleaning and oiling.
Any suggestions regarding cleaning kits, solvents, and techniques will be appreciated. Thanks.
Doug
[This message has been edited by DougB (edited September 14, 2000).]
But I recently bought some 8mm Mauser rifles and a Russian M44. And a bunch of old corrosive ammo to use with them. I think its time I bought some good cleaning supplies and got into the habbit of properly cleaning all my guns. Which leads to my questions...
1) What cleaning rods do you like? I have a bunch of old, mis-matched, multi-piece aluminum rods, but it looks like stainless steel (coated and uncoated) may be better. Seems like they would be harder on the bore, but manufacturers claim otherwise. Do you agree? I'm leaning toward a 1-piece plastic coated steel rod.
2) What is the technique for a normal, basic cleaning (brass or plastic brush followed by patches? Solvent on brush/patches? etc.
I know that the corrosive ammo probably requires some H2O or ammonia before the normal cleaning and oiling.
Any suggestions regarding cleaning kits, solvents, and techniques will be appreciated. Thanks.
Doug
[This message has been edited by DougB (edited September 14, 2000).]