i read about how effective scouring pads are in cleaning the lead out of barrels, i tried them recently and they really work! but i used the stainless scotch brite scouring pads because i could not find the copper ones... is it alright using the stainless scouring pad in cleaning the barrels? wont it damage the rifling and inside of the barrels? need your opinion guys. tnx in advance.
using stainless steel scouring pads
- Thread starter vhince524
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XavierBreath
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I, personally would search out copper, or I would use nylon. Call me skittish.
Texas Colt
Member
I agree with Xavior. I buy the copper pads that you can find in any grocery store. Then I use scissors to cut them into cleaning patch sized pieces. They work great at getting the lead out, and since copper is softer than steel, it won't damage the rifling.
highlander 5
Member
There are many kinds of "stainless steel" I'm not a metallurgist but I highly doubt that thee scouring pad you are using is harder than the barrel of your pistol/revolver. I was taught to cut a length of coil from the pad and wrap it BETWEEN the bristles of the bore brush. Also remember that the pads are made to clean pots and pans the stainless steel that they are made from is much softer that the SS used for firearms
highlander 5
Member
Sorry but I just re read your post are you using Choir Boy SS pads or Scotch Brite pads? if your using Scoch Brite I would make VERY sure that you clean all the residue from SB pads it is highly abrasive. I work for a major jet engine mfg and SB pads are not used or allowed in the assembly/test area. SS pads on the other hand would be fine for cleaning your barrel
dfariswheel
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I would NOT use either Scotchbrite synthetic pads OR stainless steel pads in a good gun barrel.
Both WILL damage the bore.
Scotchbrite synthetic abrasive pads are just that....ABRASIVE, just like sand paper.
Using it will quickly destroy the bore.
Stainless steel scouring pads will scratch the bore, even if it's slightly softer than the barrel. Barrels are not all that hard, and I don't recommend using ANY stainless steel brushes or other cleaning material in the bore.
Either use cleaning materials specifically made for guns, or use COPPER Chore-Boy pads for lead removal.
Using any of these to clean a barrel shot with jacketed bullets is totally unnecessary, since they will have little effect on copper bullet fouling.
You need to be VERY wary of using any non-gun specific "expedient" cleaning material or chemicals.
These will often damage an expensive gun barrel, and the people who tell you it's OK to use them will NOT be standing by to buy you a new gun if it ruins it.
Over the years I've seen a good many examples of guns damaged or ruined by using non-gun cleaning gear, and the people who did the damage never offered a good reason for using the stuff other than they could save a few pennies.
This really is a matter of "Penny wise, Dollar foolish".
Bottom line: Continue using the stainless steel scrubbing material and you WILL ruin the bore, sooner rather than later.
For ordinary bore cleaning use standard BRONZE bore brushes, solvent, and patches.
Do not use stainless steel bore brushes (Those are for gunsmith use in bores so badly neglected you have nothing to lose) and do not use over-sized brushes in bores.
Brushes wear out quickly, and solvents eat them just like it dissolves copper fouling. Buy your brushes in bulk.
If you shoot lead bullets, either buy a Lewis Lead Remover kit, OR you can use the COPPER Chore-Buy pads.
DO NOT attempt to "Blow the lead out" by shooting jacketed bullets.
All this does is "iron" lead into the bore making it that much harder to get out, and the barrel can corrode UNDER the lead.
Worse, attempt to shot the lead out of a bore with just a little too much lead, and you'll blow a ring or bulge in the barrel.
Both WILL damage the bore.
Scotchbrite synthetic abrasive pads are just that....ABRASIVE, just like sand paper.
Using it will quickly destroy the bore.
Stainless steel scouring pads will scratch the bore, even if it's slightly softer than the barrel. Barrels are not all that hard, and I don't recommend using ANY stainless steel brushes or other cleaning material in the bore.
Either use cleaning materials specifically made for guns, or use COPPER Chore-Boy pads for lead removal.
Using any of these to clean a barrel shot with jacketed bullets is totally unnecessary, since they will have little effect on copper bullet fouling.
You need to be VERY wary of using any non-gun specific "expedient" cleaning material or chemicals.
These will often damage an expensive gun barrel, and the people who tell you it's OK to use them will NOT be standing by to buy you a new gun if it ruins it.
Over the years I've seen a good many examples of guns damaged or ruined by using non-gun cleaning gear, and the people who did the damage never offered a good reason for using the stuff other than they could save a few pennies.
This really is a matter of "Penny wise, Dollar foolish".
Bottom line: Continue using the stainless steel scrubbing material and you WILL ruin the bore, sooner rather than later.
For ordinary bore cleaning use standard BRONZE bore brushes, solvent, and patches.
Do not use stainless steel bore brushes (Those are for gunsmith use in bores so badly neglected you have nothing to lose) and do not use over-sized brushes in bores.
Brushes wear out quickly, and solvents eat them just like it dissolves copper fouling. Buy your brushes in bulk.
If you shoot lead bullets, either buy a Lewis Lead Remover kit, OR you can use the COPPER Chore-Buy pads.
DO NOT attempt to "Blow the lead out" by shooting jacketed bullets.
All this does is "iron" lead into the bore making it that much harder to get out, and the barrel can corrode UNDER the lead.
Worse, attempt to shot the lead out of a bore with just a little too much lead, and you'll blow a ring or bulge in the barrel.
mrmeval
Member
Some of the crap "SS" pads are actually aluminum. 
Unlike the magnet test you have to mix up a bit of copper sulfate, salt and water. It will then turn the "SS" pad into copper....powder.
Then if you filter off the copper powder it will oxidize into verdigris/malachite/copper oxide, a nice green color good for painters. It happens quick in air but will still happen if left in the water.
I was testing the mix as a means to etch aluminum and it does work. I inadvertantly got some of the mix on the "SS" pad and it started degrading fast.
Unlike the magnet test you have to mix up a bit of copper sulfate, salt and water. It will then turn the "SS" pad into copper....powder.
Then if you filter off the copper powder it will oxidize into verdigris/malachite/copper oxide, a nice green color good for painters. It happens quick in air but will still happen if left in the water.
I was testing the mix as a means to etch aluminum and it does work. I inadvertantly got some of the mix on the "SS" pad and it started degrading fast.
JNewell
Member
>>i just thought that since the bore is not damaged even when shooting thousands of rounds of fmj's<<
Although the jacket material can vary, all FMJ bullets are very much softer than steel. Stainless comes in many types and in many degrees of hardness, but any stainless pad is going to be a lot harsher on the barrel than a jacketed bullet.
Although the jacket material can vary, all FMJ bullets are very much softer than steel. Stainless comes in many types and in many degrees of hardness, but any stainless pad is going to be a lot harsher on the barrel than a jacketed bullet.
Sunray
Member
Pitch the SS scouring pads. The only time you'll get leading is if you fire cast bullets too fast. You don't get leading from FMJ's. Powder fouling and copper or jacket fouling yes, but not lead.
If you've got a really dirty barrel, run a solvent soaked patch through the barrel and leave the solvent in there for 30 minutes or so. Then clean as per normal. You need to give the solvent time to work.
If you've got a really dirty barrel, run a solvent soaked patch through the barrel and leave the solvent in there for 30 minutes or so. Then clean as per normal. You need to give the solvent time to work.
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In cleaning lead out of barrels copper pads are a safe, fast, and efficient way.
Leading canhappen with cast bullets even at slower velocities - and much more with swaged bullets. If you are just shooting enough to get your barrel pretty dirty, your solvents will fail and need the support of mechanical cleaning action.
Leading canhappen with cast bullets even at slower velocities - and much more with swaged bullets. If you are just shooting enough to get your barrel pretty dirty, your solvents will fail and need the support of mechanical cleaning action.
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dfariswheel
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You probably didn't ruin the bore.
It may have done some damage, but you're unlikely to notice it and it likely didn't affect accuracy.
Just be a little careful about who you listen too about cleaning methods and products, and what you put down an expensive barrel.
Standard gun cleaning products are developed by PhD Chemists, working for big companies that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to develop products that clean the gun WITHOUT damaging it.
The ONLY advantage to any other product is that it "might" save you a few pennies.
The disadvantage is, you're gambling on it not ruining that expensive barrel.
It may have done some damage, but you're unlikely to notice it and it likely didn't affect accuracy.
Just be a little careful about who you listen too about cleaning methods and products, and what you put down an expensive barrel.
Standard gun cleaning products are developed by PhD Chemists, working for big companies that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to develop products that clean the gun WITHOUT damaging it.
The ONLY advantage to any other product is that it "might" save you a few pennies.
The disadvantage is, you're gambling on it not ruining that expensive barrel.
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