Shotgun Cleaning

beaversnelk · June 21, 2012, 11:12 AM

I have a Hoppes Cleaning kit I've been using for my rifles and pistols similiar to this one.

I picked up my first shotgun last week and need some help on what cleaning supplies I need for it. Should I buy a completely seperate shotgun cleaning kit, or is there a piece or two I can buy to supplement this kit and clean my shotgun effectively? Amazon links are helpful.

Thanks

Rampant_Colt · June 21, 2012, 11:29 AM

Now all ya need to get is a 12ga jag, brush and/or tornado. Can't go wrong with Hoppe's 9 solvent and a quart of Mobil 1 10w40. Get everything for around $20, and yer GTG

Doyle · June 21, 2012, 12:41 PM

The only thing you will need are a brush, a jag tip, and and adapter. The adapter is needed because shotgun tips use a large thread size.

beaversnelk · June 21, 2012, 12:48 PM

Thanks. I thought the size looked different.

Rampant_Colt · June 21, 2012, 01:12 PM

oneounceload · June 22, 2012, 09:39 AM

You might also want to pick up a Tico tool, aka "fuzzy stick" to put a nice polish inside the barrels after cleaning - they run about $15. Can also be used for a quick clean using a few strokes - works even better if your barrels are chrome lined

zippy13 · June 22, 2012, 10:36 AM

My shotgun's owner's manual cautions against using a Tornado (steel) brush. I use fuzzy sticks with the occasional bronze brush.

beaversnelk · June 22, 2012, 11:15 AM

It's the Beretta 3901. So my understanding is to use the rods from the Hoppes kit, I'll use the bronze? brush a time or two to scrub it, then a solvent patch, then a few dry patches, then a gun oil patch.

When would I ever use a gun cleaning swab? Instead of patches?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

You're input is appreciated, this is just what I've picked up so far.

Rampant_Colt · June 22, 2012, 11:21 AM

LoL, I'm a cheapskate and use paper towels to clean my shotgun barrels

First run a stiff brush or tornado soaked in Hoppe's 9 to loosen the heavy grit or any lead fouling, then push your patches (or paper towels..) thru until there's no more grit left on the patch.

Doyle · June 22, 2012, 01:31 PM

For the vast majority of your cleaning needs, a brush won't be required. You'll still need one - but it won't get used very much. A jag with patches will get most of the duty. Shotgun barrels don't really "foul" like rifle barrels do. If after using a patch with solvent you can still see visible traces of "stuff" sticking to the barrel, then pull out the brush. I bet my barrels only get brushed once a year or so.

zippy13 · June 22, 2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

When would I ever use a gun cleaning swab? Instead of patches?

Typically, you'll want to get the chokes good and wet with solvent after you start to get plastic wad build up and, IMHO, swabs work better than patches. The only time I use patches is a really wet one over the tip of a bronze brush.

Doyle · June 22, 2012, 04:21 PM

Unlike Zippy, I don't use a swab. He is right about getting enough solvent onto the walls of the barrel. I just go about it a different way. Since a shotgun barrel is a really big hole, I just use an aerosol spray. A good shot into the bore from each end and it will be thoroughly wet inside.

The end result is the same - just the road there is a little different.

June 21, 2012, 11:12 AM	#1
beaversnelk Junior Member Join Date: June 21, 2012 Posts: 7	Shotgun Cleaning I have a Hoppes Cleaning kit I've been using for my rifles and pistols similiar to this one. I picked up my first shotgun last week and need some help on what cleaning supplies I need for it. Should I buy a completely seperate shotgun cleaning kit, or is there a piece or two I can buy to supplement this kit and clean my shotgun effectively? Amazon links are helpful. Thanks

June 21, 2012, 11:29 AM	#2
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,471	Now all ya need to get is a 12ga jag, brush and/or tornado. Can't go wrong with Hoppe's 9 solvent and a quart of Mobil 1 10w40. Get everything for around $20, and yer GTG __________________ member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts

June 21, 2012, 01:12 PM	#5
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,471	__________________ member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts

June 22, 2012, 11:21 AM	#9
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,471	LoL, I'm a cheapskate and use paper towels to clean my shotgun barrels First run a stiff brush or tornado soaked in Hoppe's 9 to loosen the heavy grit or any lead fouling, then push your patches (or paper towels..) thru until there's no more grit left on the patch. __________________ member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts

June 21, 2012, 12:41 PM	#3
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Bradenton, Fl Posts: 4,125	The only thing you will need are a brush, a jag tip, and and adapter. The adapter is needed because shotgun tips use a large thread size.

June 21, 2012, 12:48 PM	#4
beaversnelk Junior Member Join Date: June 21, 2012 Posts: 7	Thanks. I thought the size looked different.

June 22, 2012, 09:39 AM	#6
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	You might also want to pick up a Tico tool, aka "fuzzy stick" to put a nice polish inside the barrels after cleaning - they run about $15. Can also be used for a quick clean using a few strokes - works even better if your barrels are chrome lined

June 22, 2012, 10:36 AM	#7
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,281	My shotgun's owner's manual cautions against using a Tornado (steel) brush. I use fuzzy sticks with the occasional bronze brush.

June 22, 2012, 11:15 AM	#8
beaversnelk Junior Member Join Date: June 21, 2012 Posts: 7	It's the Beretta 3901. So my understanding is to use the rods from the Hoppes kit, I'll use the bronze? brush a time or two to scrub it, then a solvent patch, then a few dry patches, then a gun oil patch. When would I ever use a gun cleaning swab? Instead of patches? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER You're input is appreciated, this is just what I've picked up so far.

June 22, 2012, 01:31 PM	#10
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Bradenton, Fl Posts: 4,125	For the vast majority of your cleaning needs, a brush won't be required. You'll still need one - but it won't get used very much. A jag with patches will get most of the duty. Shotgun barrels don't really "foul" like rifle barrels do. If after using a patch with solvent you can still see visible traces of "stuff" sticking to the barrel, then pull out the brush. I bet my barrels only get brushed once a year or so.

June 22, 2012, 04:21 PM	#12
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Bradenton, Fl Posts: 4,125	Unlike Zippy, I don't use a swab. He is right about getting enough solvent onto the walls of the barrel. I just go about it a different way. Since a shotgun barrel is a really big hole, I just use an aerosol spray. A good shot into the bore from each end and it will be thoroughly wet inside. The end result is the same - just the road there is a little different.