ammonia barrel cleaner

willp58 · March 30, 2001, 09:25 PM

Hello, I have an old recipe for mixing a good barrel cleaner for copper fouling. it is: 1 oz. Ammonium persulphate, 200 gr ammonmium carbonate, 6oz. stronger ammonia, 4 oz. water. I tried to get the first ingredient at a drugstore, the ammonium persulphate and they never heard of it nor could they find it listed from their suppliers. Is there a substitute for that? The next ingredient is ammonium carbonate (they have that) but what is 200 gr? grains or grams?? thanks, willp

johnwill · March 30, 2001, 10:12 PM

Personally, I would stick to commercial mixes, your ingredients list sure scares me!

willp58 · March 30, 2001, 10:20 PM

Are any of these elements dangerous?? Why are you scared? This recipe came from a publication from "The American Gunsmithing Association". think again, willp

**James K** · March 30, 2001, 11:15 PM

Hi, willp58

That is an old formula from the days of great glops of cupro-nickel fouling from the old bullet jackets, and I am surprised that it is given in any modern publication. With almost all jackets today being either gilding metal or mild steel, I don't think all that ammonia is necessary and it can itself be corrosive if it gets into inaccessible places, like under the stock. I agree with johnwill to stick to commercial stuff.

Of course, I should not need to caution about getting a strong ammonia solution anywhere near a nickel plated gun. It won't affect the nickel itself very much, but it will eat the copper undercladding used in most electro plating of nickel.

Jim

Zorro · March 31, 2001, 12:33 AM

Barnes CR-10.

The stuff is PLENTY fierce!

DON'T breathe any!

You don't want to use anything stronger.

March 30, 2001, 09:25 PM	#1
willp58 Member Join Date: November 10, 2000 Location: Jamestown, NY Posts: 48	Hello, I have an old recipe for mixing a good barrel cleaner for copper fouling. it is: 1 oz. Ammonium persulphate, 200 gr ammonmium carbonate, 6oz. stronger ammonia, 4 oz. water. I tried to get the first ingredient at a drugstore, the ammonium persulphate and they never heard of it nor could they find it listed from their suppliers. Is there a substitute for that? The next ingredient is ammonium carbonate (they have that) but what is 200 gr? grains or grams?? thanks, willp

March 30, 2001, 10:12 PM	#2
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	Personally, I would stick to commercial mixes, your ingredients list sure scares me!

March 30, 2001, 10:20 PM	#3
willp58 Member Join Date: November 10, 2000 Location: Jamestown, NY Posts: 48	Are any of these elements dangerous?? Why are you scared? This recipe came from a publication from "The American Gunsmithing Association". think again, willp

March 30, 2001, 11:15 PM	#4
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,398	Hi, willp58 That is an old formula from the days of great glops of cupro-nickel fouling from the old bullet jackets, and I am surprised that it is given in any modern publication. With almost all jackets today being either gilding metal or mild steel, I don't think all that ammonia is necessary and it can itself be corrosive if it gets into inaccessible places, like under the stock. I agree with johnwill to stick to commercial stuff. Of course, I should not need to caution about getting a strong ammonia solution anywhere near a nickel plated gun. It won't affect the nickel itself very much, but it will eat the copper undercladding used in most electro plating of nickel. Jim

March 31, 2001, 12:33 AM	#5
Zorro Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2000 Posts: 976	Barnes CR-10. The stuff is PLENTY fierce! DON'T breathe any! You don't want to use anything stronger.