Author Topic: cleaning rifle barrel (Read 878 times)

josebd · « **on:** September 30, 2004, 02:41:35 AM »

when do you know its clean?when the patches come out clean with no color on them?ive been stopping when there is just a little bit of color left on the patches.

savageT · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2004, 03:11:43 AM »

josebd,
What are you using in the gun? If copper clad bullets, then you should be using a copper solvent and watching the patches coming out for blue-green color. If patches are being used with a brass brush or patch holder then you will see this telltale color because of the brass. Switch to an aluminum or plastic patch holder and then you'll know what the bore condition is truely like.
If you still can't get the patch to come out clean after repeated patching, then consider building an inexpensive electronic bore cleaning rod using a steel rod, a couple "C" batteries and some wire and clips. The solution is household ammonia. The plans are available on-line if you do a search on Google.
Jim

josebd · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2004, 05:35:53 AM »

i mainly shoot hornady vmax bullets,im using shooters choice solvent,brass brush a nd tipton brass jig,so its ok when the patches have a lite bue or green color to them?

savageT · « **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2004, 05:50:46 AM »

I think you've found your source of the blue patches..........look for a plastic jag to use and try it again.
Jim

josebd · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2004, 06:11:24 AM »

what do you mean? the barrel is clean but the brass jag is whats turning the patch blue?

savageT · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2004, 09:12:38 AM »

EXACTLY!!!!!

josebd · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2004, 09:22:22 AM »

thank you savageT

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2004, 08:38:24 PM »

Josebd
What I like to do is to put the (cleaned) rifle in the gun vise in a dark room and shine a flashlight into the Muzzle end of the bore.
If there is any copper present, it will show up like a glow worm.

At this point you can re-apply the copper solvent as per inst or go with the elect cleaner as said. Solvent is household ammonia but go with the non-sudsing kind.

josebd · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2004, 02:15:39 AM »

thanks everybody!

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2004, 02:45:24 PM »

When you're finished cleaning your rifle, push 2 patches soaked with Barnes CR-10 down the bore and wait a minute or two. Push another wet patch through on a jag of proper diameter and if there is no blue/green on the patch then you can be sure that all the jacket fouling has been removed.

If the patch has a heavy blue/green residue then you've got more work ahead than you realized. A light blue/green shading on the patch is usually no big deal.

Barnes CR-10 is a sure fire testing solvent. It cleans pretty good too :lol: but follow directions to avoid the potential of harming the bore.