Barrel bore cleaning

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vega

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Hi guys,

I need your help here. I shoot my 30-06 about 3 weeks ago @ 30 rounds using my own load with 150g remington core-lokt bullets. I can't remove those stubborn lead and copper. I used hoppes 9 and shooter's choice for solvents.

BTW, while I was at the range I will shoot 1 rd and wait for the rifle to cool off. While I wait I cleaned the barrel while it's still hot. I applied shooter's choice and wait about 5-10 minutes before I make a pass with a clean patch. Did this method somehow harm the bore?

This is not the first time I used this rifle and I have no problem cleaning before. I didn't use those 2 solvents at the same time. I make sure that the barrel is clean off the other solvent before applying another kind.

Oh, at 100 rds the grouping was 1.5". 5 shots each target.

vega
 
You clean between every shot? How does it shoot if you just get rid of the powder fouling after each range session?

I brush the bore, then let hoppes sit in for at least 15 minute (usually 6-8hours) before I patch it again. I usually patch when I get home, before going to bed, and after I get up in the morning. I try limit the number of times the cleaning rod goes into the barrel and let the solvent do the work.

Ty
 
use hoppes to get the powder fouling out, then use barnes cr-10 to get rid of the copper.

2 wet patches of barnes, let it sit 15 minutes or so, 1 wet patch barnes, 2 dry patches, then push a wet patch thru, then a wet patch scrubbed back and forth, a wet patch, let it sit for 15 minutes. 2 dry patches, and you should be done. if not, repeat the process until you are done. if your bore is exceptionally rough, you may have to repeat the process 2-3 times. if your bore is really smooth, you'll just need 2 wet patches, let it sit, then dry patch it out, and it will be completely clean.

generally, when you strip a bore completely down like that, it will take a few shots to get accuracy back. you may find that you don't want to remove all the copper, just most of it - and even then, maybe not every time you shoot.

your cleaning regimen didn't hurt anything... but, make sure you are using a bore guide. more rifle barrels are ruined by too much cleaning than not enough. also, cleaning every shot is tedious and boring. probably why your groups wouldn't shrink, too - though 1.5" is fine for a 30-06.
 
and, if you want to get fanatical about cleaning the bore...

after you get the patches to stop coming out blue from the barnes, dry it out, then run a few patches of hoppes thru it, and store the rifle level over night. dry everything out, and then do the barnes process again. dry it out, then hoppes over night again. repeat this process for a week or two, until the expansion cracks stop putting stuff out, and you will have a truly clean bore. this level of cleaning isn't necessary, unless you just want to see what it takes for a rifle to be truly spic-n-span clean, and will likely take a few shots to get any semblance of accuracy back... but, your rifle will be clean!

make sure you oil the bore after you strip it like this.
 
how long do you guys think it would take for copper fouling to become a serious problem and be very hard to remove? and what about cleaning gas tubes? i've been told to just leave it alone because i'm more likley to mess it up trying to clean it.
 
Those were very quick replies:

ocabj - No brush, just patch.

30cal - Not that I re-call. I just want the barrel to cool off a little. If I'm not talking with the guy besides me I clean it. I would not know how it would shoot after every cleaning. My spotting scope was not that powerfull to tell me where my shot landed. I would know after every ceased fire.

dakotasin - You got me there, now I remember why we do fouling before pistol competition. I should have not been too anal about cleaning it. On my first trip with this rifle I got 3 shoots tangent together.

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The two flyers doesn't count, I was still adjusting the scope then.
I was just too impatient cleaning this rifle. I'll let the patch soak tonight.

Thanks for the tips guys.
 
I have been using Gunslicks Foaming Bore Cleaner. Just give it a squirt, let it sit for 15 min. and run a few dry patches through it. No scubbing, no smell and clean as a whistle. I have also used Wipeout Foaming Bore Cleaner, It works great as well.
 
what does everyone think about those "bore snake" type of cleaners. I think the brand is "worlds fastest gun cleaner" or something like that. I have been using it to get the heavy stuff out before I leave the range and it seams to get most of the grime out before the barrel cools down and sits for the ride home (or back to the office). any thoughts? good? bad?

as I said I only use as aa quick wipe out for the bore, and the guns all get a complete cleaning when I get the time.
 
I'm puzzled by a build up of fouling with so few rounds, what type rifle,
how old, what type bullet did you use before.? I've noticed some rough
bores in many new guns sometime they require small amount of polishing,
JB"s bore bright, etc. After cleaning I use FP10 in bore over time it stays with
metal and protects, it appears to improve accuracy after repeated use.
 
Outers has a good cleaning system called Foul Out 2 Electrochemical Bore Cleaning system. For light copper and lead build up I use GunSlick Foaming Bore Cleaner, then afteer 20-30 minutes use cleaning patches to remove solution. then I use any quality cleaner and a bore snake and repeat if needed. As often as possible I try not to use lead bullets.
 
Foaming Bore Cleaner

is God's gift to shooters...

Bought an old Mauser, with decent rifling(exceot crown(whichI shortens and re-crowned), but REALLY cruded up with copper...I spent :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: hours w/ copper cleaner, Hoppes, etc. trying to get it half way decent. Got it good but still copper fouling and bore was still dark...Then I tried (Outers?) Foaming Bore cleaner...Put gun with muxxle at slight downward angle, gave it a squirt, let it sit for about 10 minutes then gave it another...Did this for about 2 hours...when the stuff stopped coming out blue...I ran a couple patches through, and now the bore looks like new! Truly amazing stuff, and you don't have to worry about over-cleaning type wear.
 
Foaming bore cleaner

I have been using the bore cleaner on some rifles that have needed more attention than they have gotten from me. The blue foam that comes out after a 15 - 30 minute soak is quite impressive, and after a couple of rounds the foam stops being blue. I'm currently trying an experiment - I have placed a .270 bullet (nosler ballistic tip, but doesn't matter) on a plastic plate, and every day or two I cover it with this foam stuff. There's a huge blue pool around the bullet, and I can't wait until I get to the lead core. I'll report back.

The stuff may not be as effective as it seems, but I can't figure out how two applications to an average barrel come out blue and then the blue seems to stop.

Relatively new member of the forum; you guys are great.

Mark
 
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