Blue cleaning patches?

[twarr1]

I broke down and cleaned a couple of handguns today, Ruger SR9 and IWI Masada. I’ve been shooting factory FMJ and handloaded jacketed bullets with 700X.
I cleaned using Hoppes Elite cleaner. The patches were coming out bright blue. I’ve never noticed this before. I know blue indicates some kind of copper compound.
I’m wondering is there more meaning to it? Other than Ive been shooting copper bullets. Maybe it’s a function of the solvent? I usually use Hoppes #9. Any insight? Or is it a non issue?
Thanks.

 

[Laphroaig]

I'm not familiar with Hoppes Elite but based on your description it must be a decent copper cleaner. Yes, the blue is copper oxide and goes along with shooting jacketed bullets. In my experience #9 will show some blue when the bore is badly fouled, but I wouldn't class it as a copper remover solvent. I've settled on the Boretech products, and I try to repeat running wet patches and give it time to soak until the color gets lighter. I don't think I've ever cleaned with a good solvent until patches come out white. You have to move up to JB to achieve that.

I'd class it as a minor issue that needs attention every so often.

ETA: My bad! The blue indicates one of a copper nitrate/chloride/sulfate or hydroxide compound not an oxide.

 

[Deus Machina]

Solvent turns copper compounds blue or green. What's coloring the patch is no longer in the barrel. Repeat until they're not longer blue.
...unless you're using a brass rod, jag, or patch holder. Brass is a copper alloy. So that gives you false positives.

 

[Steve S.]

I have gone back/ forth with the whole cleaning issue thing. I went from wanting squeaky clean to just run a single solvent/ oil patch to just an oil patch. As others here have stated over time, I am beginning to believe that squeaky clean may be a waste of time and clean when accuracy tells you is the best practice over time (in other words, leave the copper wash as it is not hurting anything) - I am just not sure.
To your blue/ green patch question - my opinion is that it is a non-issue. Wash the barrel until you like the patch color or just stop where you are - I think that it just does not matter. I am guilty of past over-thinking firearms cleaning - I have come to learn that my firearms are not that needy. In summary, it boils down to what you think is right for your guns and learning from what you see along the way.

 

[Speedo66]

I've always read that over cleaning has destroyed barrels.

But that may have come from when many cleaning rods were steel, like in the Army.

Both my pistol and rifle .22's are semi autos, and I only clean them when they stop functioning.

 

[twarr1]

I never clean my 22 semiauto rifle since you can’t use the cleaning rod from the breech. And I don’t like bore snakes.