Removing copper fouling...Without copper solvent...
- Thread starter .45Guy
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Froggy
Member
Hoppes #9 is the way to go, IMHO. But just in case you missed it, make sure to use a nylon brush. Bronze brushes through a bore wet with copper solvent usually leave more behind than they clean off.
1KPerDay
Member
You saying I shouldn't use Hoppe's No. 9 with a normal bronze bore brush?
Froggy
Member
Bronze is about 60% copper.... if your copper solvent is worth what you paid for it, it will work on that bronze brush as well as it does the copper fouling. Not going to hurt the bore, but it means trying to patch out the copper fouling after a good brushing could be a never ending process. Get a good nylon brush.
50 Shooter
member
I use BoreTech's "Eliminator" copper solvent, it doesn't use any ammonia so you don't get that harsh smell. Out of the few different brands that I've tried, the Eliminator stuff is by far the best. There's also a couple of different manufacturers that make a foaming copper solvent.
The trick to most copper solvents is to let them sit in the bore for a few minutes to work on the copper. You can then scrub the bore with a brush to help lift the stubborn spots.
The trick to most copper solvents is to let them sit in the bore for a few minutes to work on the copper. You can then scrub the bore with a brush to help lift the stubborn spots.
1KPerDay
Member
I can see what you mean... I don't use wet patches on a bronze brush, if that's what you meant. I brush with the solvent and brush alone, and then run patches through with a normal patch holder until they come out clean, then oil the bore.
So if I'm understanding what you're saying, the copper fouling I'm "removing" with my bronze brush/Hoppe's may be at least partly the result of the bronze brush deteriorating. I guess I'm okay with that, as long as it removes the fouling from the bore.
Maybe I'll buy some nylon brushes when these wear out.
BrainOnSigs
Member
In this case I would use Outer's Foul Out system and take it down to the bare metal.
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
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- 6,653
While everyone has their own method of cleaning a bore, most do too much brushing and pumping of patches.
Use a good brush with a copper solvent like Hoppe's #9.
NEVER dip brushes or patches in the bottle, this will contaminate it and ruin the solvent......use a plastic hobby paint transfer bulb to apply solvent.
Keeping the brush wet with solvent brush the bore straight through and out the muzzle before pulling it back. Make about 20 passes.
Some people don't reverse the brush, they unscrew it and only run it one way.
This does keep solvent out of the action.
After brushing, rinse the brush in a solvent like paint thinner or hot soapy water to remove the bore solvent from the brush, otherwise the solvent will "eat" the brush up, and they won't last as long.
Replace brushes often since they don't last long even when taken care of.
After brushing the bore, run two soaking patches through the bore.
Don't "pump" the patches up and down the bore since this does little or NO good.
Allow the bore to soak at least 30 minutes.
The "secret" of bore cleaning is to give the solvent time to work.
After 30 minutes or more, run a soaking patch straight through and check it for the blue or green stains of copper fouling.
If you see any, let the bore soak longer and test again later with a soaking patch.
Continue until the patches come out with no stains, then dry and lube.
Another good method is to brush the bore, then plug it with a chamber plug, fill the bore with Hoppe's and let soak over night.
If you have a semi-auto, remember there's a gas port and the solvent will leak out if you fill above it.
Remember, if you "pump" a patch up and down the bore, the patch will get steel stains on it and it looks like the bore is still dirty.
Use a good brush with a copper solvent like Hoppe's #9.
NEVER dip brushes or patches in the bottle, this will contaminate it and ruin the solvent......use a plastic hobby paint transfer bulb to apply solvent.
Keeping the brush wet with solvent brush the bore straight through and out the muzzle before pulling it back. Make about 20 passes.
Some people don't reverse the brush, they unscrew it and only run it one way.
This does keep solvent out of the action.
After brushing, rinse the brush in a solvent like paint thinner or hot soapy water to remove the bore solvent from the brush, otherwise the solvent will "eat" the brush up, and they won't last as long.
Replace brushes often since they don't last long even when taken care of.
After brushing the bore, run two soaking patches through the bore.
Don't "pump" the patches up and down the bore since this does little or NO good.
Allow the bore to soak at least 30 minutes.
The "secret" of bore cleaning is to give the solvent time to work.
After 30 minutes or more, run a soaking patch straight through and check it for the blue or green stains of copper fouling.
If you see any, let the bore soak longer and test again later with a soaking patch.
Continue until the patches come out with no stains, then dry and lube.
Another good method is to brush the bore, then plug it with a chamber plug, fill the bore with Hoppe's and let soak over night.
If you have a semi-auto, remember there's a gas port and the solvent will leak out if you fill above it.
Remember, if you "pump" a patch up and down the bore, the patch will get steel stains on it and it looks like the bore is still dirty.
Old Time Hunter
Member
Try Blue Magic, does not hurt the blueing works great on copper fouling. Then clean with Hoppe's #9
BsChoy
Member
Foam bore cleaner...no scrubbing, no odor, and you can shoot while a gun soaks
Monanta Extreme
I just started using Montana Exteme 50 BMG after a favorable writeup I read in in Gun Tests I think. I works better than Hoppes and Hoppes Bench Rest by far. It does stink way more than I am used to but I am willing to pay the price for the speed.
I just started using Montana Exteme 50 BMG after a favorable writeup I read in in Gun Tests I think. I works better than Hoppes and Hoppes Bench Rest by far. It does stink way more than I am used to but I am willing to pay the price for the speed.
plexreticle
Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2006
- Messages
- 1,240
Hoppes Copper solvent and a nylon brush. Let it soak over night. The copper will come out, it just takes awhile. It's not uncommon to use 20-30 patches before they stop looking green.
stevelyn
Member
Shooters Choice does a pretty decent job of removing copper and yes it does eat bore brushes.
Household ammonia will also work to remove copper, but you should clean your bore with your usual bore cleaner to remove the ammonia when you're done.
Household ammonia will also work to remove copper, but you should clean your bore with your usual bore cleaner to remove the ammonia when you're done.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I've been using foaming bore cleaner (Wipe Out) and it does a great job. I've never used it on a bore that had a lot of copper; but I can vouch it cleans a lot more effectively than Hoppes #9.
Wipe out!
I`ve used quite a few cleaners and there is nothing as easy as Wipeout. It is a foam cleaner that you spray in the bore and let soak. It has no odor and won`t harm your barrel like some other copper cleaners. I leave it in my barrels over night after a days shooting patch it out in the morning, oil and put away. It is that easy.
http://www.sharpshootr.com/wipeout.htm
Midway and other web supply houses carry it also.
I`ve used quite a few cleaners and there is nothing as easy as Wipeout. It is a foam cleaner that you spray in the bore and let soak. It has no odor and won`t harm your barrel like some other copper cleaners. I leave it in my barrels over night after a days shooting patch it out in the morning, oil and put away. It is that easy.
http://www.sharpshootr.com/wipeout.htm
Midway and other web supply houses carry it also.
Jackal
Member
+1 on the foaming cleaners.
Jim Watson
Member
Me, too.
I clean a Savage full of tool marks with Wipe Out.
Don't expect instant results, though. A friend has been soaking an '03 in Wipe Out for some time and is still getting crud out.
I clean a Savage full of tool marks with Wipe Out.
Don't expect instant results, though. A friend has been soaking an '03 in Wipe Out for some time and is still getting crud out.
Nickodemus
Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2006
- Messages
- 70
Now when I have a lot of copper and it is time for a detailed cleaning I use Sweets 762, with a ton of patches and my one piece carbon fiber, plastic coated cleaning rod. I only pull patches out and go through many of them. I keep using the Sweets until it stops changing blue and comes out clear. Most of the time in the middle of the cycles of sweets and dry patches I will run a patch through of the Remington bore cleaner. That one is like a polish but you don't want to use it too often because it is more abrasive. After the bore is clean to store it I run one batch of Ballistors sportsman oil, the old German stuff. All of these products are alkali so they will not have a PH related reaction.
Bottom Gun
Member
I recently started using Hoppes Elite and have been very pleased with it.
It's pricier than Hoppes No 9, but it really does a great job of cleaning the bore. It works much better and faster than the No 9. I would have to say Elite is the best cleaner I have ever used.
It's pricier than Hoppes No 9, but it really does a great job of cleaning the bore. It works much better and faster than the No 9. I would have to say Elite is the best cleaner I have ever used.
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