So! How do you guys clean lead and copper?

[Frulk]

What Drail said...Lewis Lead Remover. It Just WORKS!

 

[Steve S.]

I am amazed that more shooters do not brag on the performance of BoreTech Eliminator. This liquid melts copper and lead quickly (couple of minutes) and has zero odor. I do not hear it mentioned anywhere near as much as the old standbys - I have tried most of them - nothing comes close to the efficiency of Eliminator if you like squeaky clean. It is ironic as this stuff gives no impression that it will clean anything - it is like putting tap water on your bore patch BUT to my surprise, it removes everything from the bore. It should be tried by all - if is amazing stuff.

 

[Doublehelix]

I am amazed that more shooters do not brag on the performance of BoreTech Eliminator. This liquid melts copper and lead quickly (couple of minutes) and has zero odor. I do not hear it mentioned anywhere near as much as the old standbys - I have tried most of them - nothing comes close to the efficiency of Eliminator if you like squeaky clean. It is ironic as this stuff gives no impression that it will clean anything - it is like putting tap water on your bore patch BUT to my surprise, it removes everything from the bore. It should be tried by all - if is amazing stuff.

I bought a bottle of this recently as well, and I was very impressed. I also have Sweet's and Butch's mixes, but the BoreTech Eliminator was really pretty amazing and easy to use. I recommend it as well.

My normal go-to daily cleaning stuff is Ballistol and Hoppe's #9, but for tough stuff, the BoreTech works great.

 

[boom boom]

Removing copper and lead fouling from your bore has always been a pain in the neck. (Some of us have an even lower opinion of it )

I've tried them all, and settled for the "Foul Out" electro-chemical bore cleaning system.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/243419/outers-foul-out-3-bore-cleaning-system

This gets every last speck of leading or copper fouling out of the bore with almost zero effort.

If you're handy, you can make your own instead of buying, but the ready made system is very convenient.

Outers quit making the Foul Out system for some reason a few years ago. Making your own is about the only option unless you find a used kit.

 

[boom boom]

On cleaning copper, Sweets is good but you have to follow the instructions exactly. Have used milder stuff like Hoppes, Butches Bore Shine, etc.

Unfortunately, I enjoyed a hobby of restoring old military rifles for awhile and a lot of the shooter grade had absolutely filthy and fouled barrels. I've used everything from a homemade electrolysis kit, JB bore paste in both grades, choreboy copper pads, etc. to clean them up for evaluation. The worst was a poor old WWI era SMLE that had green paint on it, cut stock, but original matching bolt and receiver. I bought it to restore to wall hanger as you could not see any rifling in the barrel. But, I used almost everything to clean it--started with a long soak in odorless mineral spirits, then initial scrubbing with a helical steel bore brush, then more soaking,then powder solvent, copper solvent, jb bore paste, then electrolysis. Finally got the barrel down to bare steel and while it is pitted, this is a shootable rifle again--turns out also it was an early shopped SMLE (or Sht. L.E. or No. 1, Mk III* if you will) (SSA made) which are pretty rare.

The other is a GP 100 that eats lead bullets and leads up quickly. Lewis Lead removal tool is what you want for lead. Ended up only firing plated or fmj through it and used my Smiths for lead.

Summary, most of the stuff works, some stuff is more toxic, harder on barrels, or requires careful techniques. Use the gentlest stuff on new barrels and work up from there.

 

[Whiterook808]

Hoppe's No.9 for me. I let it soak for a while to give it time to work. Besides, the smell get's my wife's motor running!

 

[cheygriz]

Outers quit making the Foul Out system for some reason a few years ago. Making your own is about the only option unless you find a used kit.

They've started making them again. Cabela's has them in stock.

 

[boom boom]

They've started making them again. Cabela's has them in stock.

Thanks. I went looking on Outers website and midway and both apparently had them discontinued. Is someone else making these?

They've started making them again. Cabela's has them in stock.

In stores? I can't see anything online in their online catalog or via searching the website.

 

[cheygriz]

Thanks. I went looking on Outers website and midway and both apparently had them discontinued. Is someone else making these?

In stores? I can't see anything online in their online catalog or via searching the website.

You're right. They are discontinued.

I didn't read far enough down on the advertisement.

I guess "home brew" is the only way to have one now. Too bad. They work like gang-busters.

 

[boom boom]

You're right. They are discontinued.

I didn't read far enough down on the advertisement.

I guess "home brew" is the only way to have one now. Too bad. They work like gang-busters.

Darn, I hoped you were right. The home brewed stuff is ok but a bit of a pain to operate. I use batteries in my home brewed system like the Foul Out II so that it can't receive too high of a current but it is slower.