Need a little help with copper fouling.

[BHPshooter]

A while ago, I lost my bottle of Bore Scrubber, and have been using Break-free CLP on the bore. It works well for getting powder residue out, I've found.

However, today I found my bottle of Bore Scrubber, which was kind of a relief because I've been a little annoyed at seeing traces of copper fouling in my barrels.

So, I do a quick cleaning, and the patches are coming out very blue. Eventually, after a series of wet-patches, time to soak, and a dry-patch, the stuff is still coming out blue, but the visible copper fouling is somewhat less.

NOW I have a question -- I've used Winchester WB Value packs almost exclusively, which have brass jackets. --> Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc... So, since copper is only an "ingredient," could that be why this stuff is so stubborn to come out?

Should I be bothered at all? It really hasn't affected the gun, me, or my shooting one way or the other, I just feel compelled to get it out of there... but do I really need to? Will it hurt anything?

Wes

 

[Standing Wolf]

Ammonia works wonders on copper.

It's my understanding leaving copper in steel barrels promotes corrosion over time.

 

[BHPshooter]

Sweet. I'll give it a try. Thanks very much.

Wes

 

[NoHarmNoFAL]

I always just soak my barrels in Hoppes #9 for a day or 3 and there is very little copper if any left. Trust me soaking is much better on the barrel than extensive brushing and patching. I have since given up large scale brushing and scrubbing for soaking. You should try it, all that is needed is a 30 cal. can and a quart of Hoppes #9.

 

[Mikul]

I've used Sweets to get the copper out. It works fast, but it shouldn't be left in the bore too long. Shooters Choice also works well on copper and it more mild. They both stink to high heaven.

 

[444]

Be very careful putting ammonia in your rifle bore.
Yeah, you can do it. Don't leave it or any other solvent in the bore for too long.
I just use Hoppe's #9 and allow the chemicals to do the work. I run three patches soaked in Hoppes through the bore and then leave it for a couple hours. I then run a clean patch through and start over until I get most of it.

To answer your other question, no, the copper fouling will not hurt the bore. In fact, at least one major custom barrel manufacturer who makes some of the finest competitive rifle barrels in the world advises you to not worry about it. He says that every bore, no matter how good it is will have tiny imperfections in it. That copper fouling tends to fill in those blemishes and make the bore smoother.
I don't allow it to get out of hand. I make some attempt to get most of it out of my rifle barrels.
If you are talking about handgun barrels, I make almost no effort to get it out. I consider it a non-issue in handgun bores.