So how clean do I want my barrel?

[6530]

Over the last few years I've simplified my cleaning procedure - I got tired of having a dozen or so cleaners, lubes, etc.

My procedure is this: disassemble, spray down all metal parts (making sure entire bore is coated) with MPro7, and let set for a few minutes. Then, using a soft rag & Q-tips, clean off all metal parts except for the bore. Wet patches with MPro7 and push through bore using a jag until patches come out clean. Oil up a patch with Shooter's Choice FP-10 and run twice down the bore. Oil sparingly with Shooter's Choice FP-10 and reassemble. I use this same procedure for my 1911s, ARs, shotguns, and hunting rifles. Every now and then I use Shooter's Choice copper remover, but that's not a regular thing. I don't notice any degradation in accuracy betwen the Shooter's Choice cleanings.

After reading about the Kroil/JB Bore Paste combination, I decided to try it. I was surprised at all the fouling that came out. Ran two patches with Kroil, one patch with JP 5-10 times, two dry patches, and a last Kroil to oil up.

My question is this: do I keep going through the process until the JB Paste patches come out clean? I stopped at 10 times because I always thought that a little fouling was a good thing, but now I'm not so sure. There was still fouling on the patch when I stopped.

Any thoughts?

 

[Zak Smith]

I am currently using an ammonia-free solvent (KG-1). I put 1 or 2 wet patches through and let it sit for at least 5 minutes, or as long as I can wait. This breaks down the carbon and starts to attack the copper. Then I cycle through 1 wet patch, 3 dry, until they come out clean.

If there's something stubborn or I can see copper streaks, I set up a wet patch and run it forward and back repeatedly maybe 10-30 times, making sure it doesn't exit the muzzle. I repeat this until the 1wet/3dry cycle comes out clean.

I prefer not to use abrasives in my barrels unless I really have to. But when I do, I apply in the same manner as the forward/back cycle, and then I'd revert to the 1wet/3dry to determine its cleanliness.

Note that your POI may drift from a totally clean bore for the first few shots while copper fills up the small irregularities again.

I'm also using the compressed felt pellet cleaning "patches" from VFG.

-z

 

[JNewell]

I am pretty sure you'll never get it to come out clean. The JB is just going to keep taking metal out of the bore, and therefore coming out blackish, for as long as you scrub it. IMO (YMMV) the stuff is great for benchresters who replace their barrels every few thousand rounds or less. The rest of us should skip the abrasives, even if they're gentle, like JB.