Rifle Cleaning Questions

D

DougB

New member
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).]
 
I use nothing but Dewey cleaning rods. They are one piece and coated.

If the fouling is pretty bad, I run a wet patch of shooters choice through it. Then a wet bronze brush. Followed by a couple of dry patches. Then a wet patch of shooters choice. Then several more dry patches. I repeat this process until it's clean.

If the fouling isn't very bad. I do the same process minus the bronze brush.

If there is heavy copper fouling, I use my Outer's Foul Out. I have the original HUGE unit. It makes cleaning the copper fouling a snap.
 
Doug - I don't shoot corrosive ammo, but what I've heard from people who do is to use warm soapy water to clean out the primer salts, dry, and then use solvents / oil as normal.

As for cleaning rods, ditto what ArmySon said about the Dewey rods. Another one piece coated rod that is worth checking into is "Bore Tech" - I believe the quality is superior to the Dewey rods, but either one will work well for you.

My coated rods have all been gathering dust since I switched over to the Otis cleaning kit. Info on them is available at http://www.otisgun.com

I like Otis because I can clean my semi-auto's (Garand, et al) breech to muzzle without field stripping. For the bolt guns you mentioned this, of course, isn't an issue.

Cliff
 
For the hot, soapy water treatment, I just purchased a British Armourer's funnel for cleaning the SMLE. It's a big galvinized metal funnel which fits into the action. The opening is wide enough (about 6") and is flat on one end. The tube is bent to account for the receiver and it'll fit about any military bolt action.

I'm going to be using mine when I shoot surplus Chi-com ammo in my SKS or any East European ammo in my 91/30. Never have to worry about getting water on the stock anymore.

Contact Milarm Co., Ltd at:
10769 99th St.
Edmonton, Alberta
T5H 4H6
(780) 424-5281.

Delivered they're about $20 a piece.
 
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