Muzzle Brake Cleaning

[K22]

Just had my first muzzle brake installed on a 308 Tikka. Love the reduction in recoil. The gunsmith advised to remove it when cleaning the rifle. It easy enough to do on mine.

Just wondering what others are doing with regards to cleaning their rifles that have muzzle breaks, i.e. clean with or without the break and if you're cleaning the brake separately what cleaning procedure are you using. Thanks.

 

[hogpatrol]

To clean I use q tips and the spray cleaner you can buy at wallyworld. If you have an ultrasonic cleaner, that works too.

 

[pacificman]

I agree with the ultrasonic as it cleaned mine like new.

 

[Sniper338]

X3

 

[bobinpa]

Find an appropriately sized prescription bottle and put the brake in it.
Add Butches bore shine to the bottle until the brake is covered.
Let it soak while I am cleaning the barrel.
Remove the brake from the bottle and finish cleaning with a Q-tip (only takes a couple of minutes).
Put the brake in another bottle filled with denatured alcohol.
Remove the brake from the second bottle and blow it off with an air compressor.
Re-install the brake on the barrel.

This is what works for me......

 

[Kurz]

No matter which cleaner, set of steps or procedures you use for cleaning, remember to do it as frequently and as conveniently as possible. The carbon build up is often tinted green from the copper if left in the ports for too long and it's nearly impossible to remove without a mechanical aid. If you stay on top of the build up, cleaning is a cinch.

Best.

 

[Zero333]

Some I take off when cleaning the barrel and some I don't take off. And I never clean the brakes.

I'm not one that has to have a perfect looking shiny rifle. I Just wanna shoot.

 

[Joe Salt]

At the range, I have been putting mine in a cup then covering with CLR while I clean the rifle. Then rinse with water or break cleaner.

Joe Salt

 

[JRS]

Purchase a jar of choke tube cleaner.

 

[gunnermhr]

Some I take off when cleaning the barrel and some I don't take off. And I never clean the brakes.

I'm not one that has to have a perfect looking shiny rifle. I Just wanna shoot.

The problem with never cleaning a brake is when you are shooting beside someone and the carbon build up starts flying towards the guy on the bench beside you. I clean mine regularly in the ultra sonic cleaner, 50/50 water and white vinegar.

 

[miles13]

Ultrasonic, 20 minutes, done. No chemicals required.

 

[wiuprof]

One of my mentors from shooting at Pella, Iowa was Bob Pastor (a.k.a. the Viper) and I asked him about cleaning my muzzle brakes.
He recommended a product called "Slip 2000" for the task. He advised to get the 16 oz. bottle and to make a device to
lower the muzzle brake into the bottle and let it soak. I bent some pieces of coat-hanger and wire to let me dip my muzzle
brakes into the jar. Let them soak for an hour or two and then blow them off with brake cleaner, it works very well.

The photo shows the original 16 oz. bottle from 2008, which is going to be trashed. The new bottle on the right has not
been opened yet and you can see the difference in the color of the solution. Joe

 

[Eric Leonard]

I use the foaming bore cleaner,,

 

[4xforfun]

I just put mine in a pill bottle full of Butches and let soak while I clean. Before I put it back on I give the bottle a 30 second shake. Probably not as good as ultrasonic, but works pretty darn good!!

Tod

 

[K22]

Thanks for all the advice. I plan to clean mine, removing it and using the soak method while I clean the rifle.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Let me be the first to give you a little un-advice. NEVER put your brakes in a wet SS pin tumbler! It's hard to believe that the tumbler cleans your brass without harm but can still damage the SS threads on a brake but it's true.

Ask me how I know.

 

[Zero333]

The problem with never cleaning a brake is when you are shooting beside someone and the carbon build up starts flying towards the guy on the bench beside you. I clean mine regularly in the ultra sonic cleaner, 50/50 water and white vinegar.

Yea I know how that feels. Get that stuff all over my face much too often from my brother shooting next to me. I get him back... He only complains about how loud my brake is, he don't care about the shit flying in his face.

I have a sonic cleaner that I never use, I guess I can put it to good work.

 

[Ziabeam]

Just had my first muzzle brake installed on a 308 Tikka. Love the reduction in recoil. The gunsmith advised to remove it when cleaning the rifle. It easy enough to do on mine.

Just wondering what others are doing with regards to cleaning their rifles that have muzzle breaks, i.e. clean with or without the break and if you're cleaning the brake separately what cleaning procedure are you using. Thanks.

Soda blasting works great if it must be removed, to address actual lead fouling, or a brake style that has a bunch of tiny holes. If the brake has wide open easy to address orifices, I prefer to leave it on, and clean by hand.

 

[Bill Norris]

A good soak in CLR will break the carbon down and flush with warm water followed by blowing it out with compressed air will clean it right up.

 

[quest450]

CLR and an old brush