Cleaning really dirty barrels,

MR.G · February 25, 2002, 05:20 PM

Does it hurt a stainless barrel to leave bore solvent, like Hoppes or Birchwood Casey, in it overnight to loosen the lead and copper ?

kurt IA. · February 25, 2002, 07:48 PM

They say the ones with ammonia, should not be left in the bore more that 15 min. can cause pitting.

Bogie · February 27, 2002, 06:19 PM

If it is REALLY dirty, I'd get some Butch's Bore Shine, and soak it overnight. Then use a benchrest bronze brush, and give it about 10-20 strokes (using a good bore guide), then patch it out with a few wet patches, then a few dry patches. Run ONE patch of Sweet's through, then follow in a couple-three minutes (NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES for the Sweet's) with a couple of dry patches. If the dry patches show blue/green, you've still got copper in the barrel. Soak it down again, brush it some more, etc...

Romulus · February 27, 2002, 11:29 PM

I normally shoot an economical, accurate, but very dirty sooty brand of ammo, Selier & Bellot. After going at the bore with Hoppes numbah nine to remove copper 'n stuff, the only thing that works for me (I think I've tried them all, shooters choice, pro-shot, miracle this and that) in removing the stubborn tarry gunk is guess what...a "Goop" style hand cleaner with a phosphor bronze brush...

Dfariswheel · February 28, 2002, 02:22 AM

Most of the standard bore solvents like Hoppes or Birchwood Casey won't harm a barrel if allowed to soak overnight.
Some of the super strong ammonia based might, but they usually warn you on the label not to allow to soak for long periods.

It's been common practice for many, many years to soak bore's for long periods. If there was any harm done, we would have heard about it some time ago.

Johnny Quest · March 15, 2002, 06:12 PM

I asked an acquaintence who is a chemical engineer. He stated that ammonia is not corrosive for carbon steel or stainless steel. It is, however, tough on phosphor-bronze brushes & jags.

FWIW

JQ

February 25, 2002, 05:20 PM	#1
MR.G Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2001 Posts: 641	Cleaning really dirty barrels, Does it hurt a stainless barrel to leave bore solvent, like Hoppes or Birchwood Casey, in it overnight to loosen the lead and copper ?

February 27, 2002, 06:19 PM	#3
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	If it is REALLY dirty, I'd get some Butch's Bore Shine, and soak it overnight. Then use a benchrest bronze brush, and give it about 10-20 strokes (using a good bore guide), then patch it out with a few wet patches, then a few dry patches. Run ONE patch of Sweet's through, then follow in a couple-three minutes (NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES for the Sweet's) with a couple of dry patches. If the dry patches show blue/green, you've still got copper in the barrel. Soak it down again, brush it some more, etc... __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

February 27, 2002, 11:29 PM	#4
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	I normally shoot an economical, accurate, but very dirty sooty brand of ammo, Selier & Bellot. After going at the bore with Hoppes numbah nine to remove copper 'n stuff, the only thing that works for me (I think I've tried them all, shooters choice, pro-shot, miracle this and that) in removing the stubborn tarry gunk is guess what...a "Goop" style hand cleaner with a phosphor bronze brush... __________________ I knew Thomas Jefferson, he was a friend of mine...Governor Clinton, you're no Thomas Jefferson Ti faccio vedere come muore un italiano

February 25, 2002, 07:48 PM	#2
kurt IA. Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 141	They say the ones with ammonia, should not be left in the bore more that 15 min. can cause pitting.

February 28, 2002, 02:22 AM	#5
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Most of the standard bore solvents like Hoppes or Birchwood Casey won't harm a barrel if allowed to soak overnight. Some of the super strong ammonia based might, but they usually warn you on the label not to allow to soak for long periods. It's been common practice for many, many years to soak bore's for long periods. If there was any harm done, we would have heard about it some time ago.

March 15, 2002, 06:12 PM	#6
Johnny Quest Member Join Date: February 22, 2002 Location: Western U.S. Posts: 53	I asked an acquaintence who is a chemical engineer. He stated that ammonia is not corrosive for carbon steel or stainless steel. It is, however, tough on phosphor-bronze brushes & jags. FWIW JQ