Author Topic: Cleaning a new barrel (Read 820 times)

ironfoot · « **on:** December 07, 2003, 04:31:26 PM »

I just bought a new 22-250 Winchester Coyote rifle. I planned to clean the barrel thoroughly, shoot it once, clean it, shoot it again, clean it, do this several times, then shoot a few shots, clean it, do this procedure several times to break it in. Problem is, I have not shot it yet, and it seems to be taking forever to clean it. I am using Hoppes #9 and cotton patches on a jag. I use some wet patches, then dry patches, then wet patches and leave the barrel wet with the #9 solvetn. Then next day I run a dry patch through, and it comes out with a blue color on it. Why would it do that? I thought it should only come out blue if the solvent is removing copper...but this is a new barrel. I then run a brass brush through the barrel 10 strokes, then a dry patch. The patch comes out filthy. I have been through this routine several times. I must have run at least two dozen patches through. What gives?

Rogue Ram · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2003, 03:40:41 AM »

Iron,

Hoppes #9 does not really deal with copper fouling. And, it sounds like you have a bit of a rough bore. Did your groups begin to shrink as you fired more rounds? I bet they did.

As to cleaning, this is voodoo, everyone has an opinion. You'll get rid of the copper fouling (aka the blue stuff) by either friction, or chemically. If friction is the way you wish to go, you'll need an undersized NYLON brush with REMCLEAN on a patch, several strokes per shot fired....many variations of this out there.

If chemical is the way you decide, then something like Sweet's, Shooter Choice, etc., on a patch, let it soak (barrel angled down don't let this drip back into your action) per manuf instructions.......then use a NYLON brush on it, followed by the Hoppes and dry patches.

Me? Well, I got tired of spending money on the above chemicals, so I use a bore guide, one piece rod, NYLON brush, and being careful, ammonia from the store. Don't leave this in there longer than a few minutes, brush, then use patches and Hoppes.

Good luck

RR

ironfoot · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2003, 12:52:07 PM »

I guess my post was a little confusing. I have not fired a shot out of the gun yet. I keep cleaning the new rifle, trying to get a clean bore before I take my first shot. It seems like I can't get the bore clean. I had figured a few patches and I would be done.

bigdaddytacp · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2003, 02:31:25 PM »

Quote from: ironfoot

I guess my post was a little confusing. I have not fired a shot out of the gun yet. I keep cleaning the new rifle, trying to get a clean bore before I take my first shot. It seems like I can't get the bore clean. I had figured a few patches and I would be done.

.............Many guns are test fired for safety check and the bore might be dirty from that???.....and if you are using a brass brush or jag the blue color could be coming from that .......I would keep the bore soaking ....with the Hoppes you can leave it overnight......then use good patchs to check for fouling......IF it still shows blue.....then get some USP bore paste,JB or similar non imbedding bore paste to scrub the bore super clean.....this will get the barrel to a point you can do the break in........I don't know if it helps but my last two new barrels got the shoot and clean routine similar to Sinclairs and they shoot good and clean easy........and I got to fireform brass while doing the routine so between learning the trigger and fireforming I only lost some cleaning supplies and gained some arm exercise......lol.....good luck and good shooting!!

gunnut69 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2003, 07:25:47 PM »

Almost no gunmaker in the US proof fires rifles. The blue on your patches is probably from the brass jag you are using to push those patches thru the bore. If you are using Hoppes PLUS then it will indeed remove some copper fouling. Sweets, etc. just goes about it a bit faster.. Whatever you decide to do for goodness sake that much cleaning rod use in a bore with no guide is a sure rod to a damaged bore. A bore guide is the best protection you can buy for a fine rifle. Combined with a nice one piece stainless cleaning rod and you have the best possible solution to the problem of cleaning... I subscribe to the theory that breaking in a barrel is hagwash. Shot the rifle, when it becomes fouled or if the accuracy falls off, clean.. I always clean after a day of shooting and a new rifle will usually be cleaned after a box or so of ammo. I've done this both ways and find no improvement with a breakin over just taking care of the rifle as normally I would. The first 50 or so rounds are usually fired in the load decelopement phase but if it shakes out wuicker than that I really don't care. I do not believe that the 'break in process' has any relavency at all in most modern rifle...

savageT · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2003, 02:58:39 AM »

gunnut69,
I thought all guns leaving the factory were required to pass a proof-load firing before being released for sale? If that is in-fact the case, perhaps the blue is coming from the proof-load round? I would think they would clean the barrel and oil before packing though. At any rate, save yourself alot of patches and solvent. Run some alcohol soaked patches through the bore before going to the range. Shoot a box or two of shells, then use Shooter's Choice or Sweet's on a plastic jag to clean at the range (while cooling the barrel down). If you find the bore finish to be a little on the rough side (picking up a little too much copper) then use the J-B Bore Paste and polish it a bit. Otherwise, just normal sovents ie. Hoppe's #9 cleaning will suffice for break-in. Enjoy your new rifle!

Jim

reelhook · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2003, 07:14:25 AM »

I think that you are wrong about proff testing-All american gun manufactures proff test every gun that they make and sell.
reelhook

thecowboyace · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2003, 11:15:25 AM »

Quote from: gunnut69

Have deleted some.....blue on your patches is..the brass jag you are using to push..patches thru bore..using Hoppes PLUS..it will..remove..copper fouling.....Whatever you decide to do for goodness sake that much cleaning rod use in a bore with no guide is a sure rod to a damaged bore. A bore guide is the best protection you can buy for a fine rifle. Combined with a nice one piece stainless cleaning rod and you have the best possible solution to the problem of cleaning... I subscribe to the theory that breaking in a barrel is hagwash. Shot the rifle, when it becomes fouled or if the accuracy falls off, clean.. I always clean after a day of shooting and a new rifle will usually be cleaned after a box or so of ammo. I've done this both ways and find no improvement with a breakin over just taking care of the rifle as normally I would. The first 50 or so rounds are usually fired in the load decelopement phase but if it shakes out wuicker than that I really don't care. I do not believe that the 'break in process' has any relavency at all in most modern rifle...

Have deleted some, redlined some for all most shouting. I would rather buy a used gun that has some rust on the barrel, action and don't mind a tad about some pitting than a gun that the owner swears he has shot 500 rounds thru it and has cleaned it everytime that he even fired one shot. There are more good guns ruined by the 3pc rod cleaning set and running that copper bore brush up and down that barrel 7x7x7 times. If you feel you must pull the brush back out without removing it make certain that the brush is completely out either end of the barrel you are cleaning from. Don't crumple itself when trying to pull it back out without making the full stroke. You get some cloth patches, Hoppe cleaning, oil, grease, jags, copper brushes. Throw away all of the rods that don't have the handle on it and use the rod with handle to clean your pistols. Get good single piece rods, heavy duty nylon/there is another man-made plastic or something of that sort (can't remember the name) to use with the copper-cleaning solutions. Then as said, GET A GOOD MUZZLE GUIDE, SINGLE PIECE RODS. If you use the bronze brushes, don't pull it back up thru the bore, take it off and then reattach. Same goes for patches. Why clean part of the barrel on the down stroke and then reapply it back when you pull the rod out. Those little pieces of cloth are fairly cheap.

If you use good ammo, you will not have a copper build up as one might think. You will have some and that is all UNLESS you try to see if you can shoot 500 rounds in an hour. Cleaning will not help the bore of that gun. If you want a gun such as that buy a military surplus firearm considering these 'guns' are made with the intention of no one cleaning them for a day or two, etc. They are made to have a lot of rounds pushed thru them at a fast clip. Pardon the pun.

If you reload and are wanting a bullet to hit 3500fps or more to get knockdown power by virture of the fps, buy a larger caliber firearm. Then you don't have to load it too the gills to take game cleanly.

Eagle Eye · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2003, 12:21:51 PM »

I have never shot any bullet that didn't leave at least some trace of copper behind. :eek: Also, contrary to what is stated above, I would never suggest one buy a used rifle with rust in the barrel....that shows poor maintainance on the part of the original owner. :shock:

The proper way to clean a rifle is shown in the owners manual for your firearm. If you don't have one, contact the manufacturer..most will send you one at no cost.

thecowboyace · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2003, 05:56:37 AM »

Quote from: Eagle Eye

I have never shot any bullet that didn't leave at least some trace of copper behind. :eek: Also, contrary to what is stated above, I would never suggest one buy a used rifle with rust in the barrel....that shows poor maintainance on the part of the original owner. :shock:

The proper way to clean a rifle is shown in the owners manual for your firearm. If you don't have one, contact the manufacturer..most will send you one at no cost.

I was just using that as a reinforcement of guns that I have seen that have been over cleaned, wrongly clean. One or two firelaps will take care of the rust if it is that bad otherwise a couple of runs with a bore brush will knock the rust off and then just keep it oiled and it will shoot again.