Question on cleaning a Handi

[kansasj]

I have a Handi .204 that I have approximately 225 rds through.  It shoots good groups and likes a dirty barrel.   I clean it about every 40 rds I guess to ease my conscience.  I have been using a few swabs of Hoppes #9 and than clean until dry and then apply several applications of Shooter's Choice Copper Solvent and dry and then apply one more Hoppes. (very little copper residue lately)

My question is should I use a bore brush now and then to clean any minute residue hidden in the bore or just continue my procedure.  If so is brass the only choice and or nylon??

[quickdtoo]

I use nylon brushes if I brush at all, bronze brushes will show copper residue even if no copper is present since that's what they're made of, copper solvent will eat bronze brushes up eventually. My preference is to use foaming cleaners, no brushing is necessary for copper removal, brushes work well to remove carbon fouling using Hoppes Elite cleaner which I do before applying the foam. But if what you're doing works and provides the accuracy you want, I'd stick with it. 

Tim

http://www.6mmbr.com/borecleaning.html

[kansasj]

Thanks Quick!  Makes sense

[dpe.ahoy]

I'm with Tim on the foaming cleaners.  They conserve energy, mine, and can do other things while they work.  IMHO barrels are cleaned way to often and are probably damaged more by cleaning to much than by shooting.  That's my story and I'm stickin to it.   DP

[blacksan]

Foam is my choice too. I personally like Wipe-Out because it contains no acid or ammonia and has a rust inhibitor. I'm shore there are others out there like it but not to my knowledge.

[quickdtoo]

To my knowledge there's only one other foaming cleaner other than WipeOut, Milfoam is packaged under many names, Gunslick, Outers, Forrest, Hoppes to name a few, it works almost as good as WipeOut and has a better applicator tube, some of those products are also less expensive and more commonly available, the Gunslick comes in a 12oz can for $14 at last check(yesterday) at Wholesale Sports(Sportsman's Warehouse).

Tim

http://www.milfoam.fi/barrel_cleaning_products.html

[kansasj]

Thanks Everyone!   I think Gander has the Gunslick so will probably use that.  Will be easier than doing the Shooters Supply application to a patch each time and worry about penetration etc.  The jury is still out on the brush but will probably skip that as my bore actually stays quite clean. I use Hornady factory ammo.

[Daman]

Well here is my theory. I have recently acquired a 30-30 and 22 Hornet. My father-in-law gave them two me. They are 35 years old and have NEVER been cleaned. He abuses rifles. I shot them this weekend and they both shoot amazingly. So don't over clean. I generally clean my rifles once a year with plain gun oil, but I don't get carried away.

Daman

[gcrank1]

Check out making up your own 'Ed's Red' (maybe on the FAQ?). It has become my #1 go to.
FWIW, an old Gunnie once said," its is a lot easier and cheaper to recrown a muzzle than fix a messed up chamber'. It almost makes too much sense. I clean most everything from the muzzle now with a bore protector, but if you 'must' clean from the breach, use a chamber protector.