A copper remover test

[Gargoyle]

Where in the barrel are you seeing the layer of carbon/copper?

I'm seeing only carbon in the first 3-5 inches, the copper is always further down.
Carbon does build up in that first 3-5 inches but I haven't see copper appear as the carbon is removed.
For the copper further out, I haven't seen carbon appear after the copper is removed.

This is with a 223 shooting 69/80 grain bullets in a 24" barrel with 70-80 rounds per range session/cleaning.

I seem to get copper build up at 3/4 way down the barrel from the chamber end.

 

[jelenko]

Same here. Very little at the muzzle.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I seem to get copper build up at 3/4 way down the barrel from the chamber end.

If its that far down something is scraping the jacket and its liquifying the copper and its spraying it then ironing it into the barrel. On an AR its usually due to a misplaced gas port, on a bolt action its usually a rough leade

 

[Gargoyle]

If its that far down something is scraping the jacket and its liquifying the copper and its spraying it then ironing it into the barrel. On an AR its usually due to a misplaced gas port, on a bolt action its usually a rough leade

4 Savage Elites and 1 Savage precision all doing this like they were made to.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

4 Savage Elites and 1 Savage precision all doing this like they were made to.

Yep those railroad track covered lands are notorious for scraping the copper

 

[Gargoyle]

Yep those railroad track covered lands are notorious for scraping the copper

Buddy, you ain't a kidding.

 

[jasonliu]

Come on, how did you not test the KG-12 copper remover. This is the best amount all I've used, remove copper without scrubing in just 2 mins.

 

[jasonliu]

https://www.eabco.com/KG12Test.pdf

This result tells everything.

 

[Ray123]

I don't like cleaning, so I don't spend much time on it ...just blast some foam cleaner down the bore over night to maybe 20hrs if I forgot...clean out the foam bore cleaner with several patches.
Then Iosso with Kroil to lube the patch, hit the throat area back and forth then down the barrel. Maybe a couple of times maybe not...checked it with a borescope a few ...looked pretty good.
So I rarely check with a borescope after shooting a barrel a few times when it's new. No bronze brushes these days. No recommended new or old bore solvents/ cleaners ...I 've tried them all none worked as stated, don't care who makes it. Feel I've wasted alot of years and money in the Precision Shooting recommended proceedures, and wonder cleaners. I Don't want to die of old age cleaning a barrel.
So I Clean with little effort, let the target tell me if I did OK, from 17 to 50BMG. Besides the wind will blow just at the right time helping me put the bullet right in there with the rest of the group. Gotta have a little faith....curve the bullet.
I like machining, building guns, dies, etc. But cleaning a gun barrel is akin to wiping off a dirty stubborn dinning table...and I'm gonna use it in a few hours anyway, and get it totally dirty all over again. So a stubborn crumb or two, ain't gonna spoil my next meal. Keep on shootin.

 

[JSH]

I will do several applications of my foam process and not work hard at it.
I am not a fan of the harsh stuff that will attack steel and SS. Seems I will miss a drop here or there. Been told to use hot water to flush, dang I am not shooting BP.
I will just use my slowwww process with zero issues for me.

Working on what was a problem child 17 Remington. I got it squeaky clean to start with. Gent said at about 20 rounds groups went down hill. I calmly, slowly ran 40 rounds through it yesterday, 4000-4400 FPS. Soaked over night and patched this AM, blue but not terrible.
Soaking again and will check this evening.

 

[three percent]

Man I loved the gunslick foaming bore cleaner and am down to my last can... Of course they discontinued it... I used it on a snub nose 38 where I could see down in the barrel , it being a Ruger the barrel was rough and would collect copper.... I wish I could find something as good as the gunslick because I especially loved it for cleaning pistols , foam it and let sit while you clean the frame and slide.... Easy peasy....

Little secret hoppes bought out gunslick.the hoppes foaming bore cleaner is same thing.works faster than anything I've tried with less brushing.old post i know and someone may have updated this but throwing it out there

 

[Shooter13]

Update: I thought I left the foaming bore cleaner in the barrel last night. I pushed a patch through and nothing drained out and patch was white. I might have implemented a little too much of pdhnter's method, just saying.

So, bore is totally clean of all copper and carbon. Micro layer of CLP in the bore for corrosion prevention. I dare not bore scope again for fears of retinal burn! I got a clean slate to monitor this gun right from the start. (This isn't even my gun! My friend(s) abuse me)

Take aways:

It is hard to tell which copper remover performed better without a more sciency performed test. I was given some advice from Uncle @mikeinct that makes a lot of sense to me and which will the basis of the next test. I got 3 more Elite Precisions to work on for my merry band of monsters I created to join me in ELR. I'm excited to monitor all these rigs, record round counts and measure changes using the bore scope. I'm a psychopath like that!

Thanks to all who have replied with advice! I've read all the posts. Stay tuned for my adventure in finding the most efficient and effective way to bore clean.

Well, you are a "finder outer"

 

[urbanrifleman]

I seem to get copper build up at 3/4 way down the barrel from the chamber end.

Because all copper comes from the chamber end. It is atomized at the chamber. It deposites at the end.

 

[Rsadams]

Little secret hoppes bought out gunslick.the hoppes foaming bore cleaner is same thing.works faster than anything I've tried with less brushing.old post i know and someone may have updated this but throwing it out there

Ohh good , I have some hoppes foam and will try it out.... Thanks for posting....

 

[jelenko]

https://www.eabco.com/KG12Test.pdf

This result tells everything.

I have a couple concerns about that test.

It didn't include BoreTech Cu remover.
It does include a bunch of products that have no chance of removing copper.
It doesn't fit with my experience using Sweets and KG 12 - i.e., they both work about the same. But, I 'refresh' the copper remover in the barrel after a few minutes until the color is gone or just very pale. => Leaves me wondering if Sweets interacts with the copper to form a compound on the surface that prevents further reaction with copper.

FWIW, in my experience, BoreTech Cu remover also works about as well as KG 12 and Sweets.

 

[DShortt]

I expect no one wants to hear this but if you buy a cheap borescope and spend a bit of time learning how to use it you don't have to rely on things like the color of your patches. You will see and know.

 

[jelenko]

I expect no one wants to hear this but if you buy a cheap borescope and spend a bit of time learning how to use it you don't have to rely on things like the color of your patches. You will see and know.

Right. Got one. Use it.

 

[DShortt]

Right. Got one. Use it.

Bore Tech copper remover is my preference. Not impressed with the C4 Carbon Remover. Doesn't do much. I think spit would work just as well.

 

[jasonliu]

I have a couple concerns about that test.

It didn't include BoreTech Cu remover.
It does include a bunch of products that have no chance of removing copper.
It doesn't fit with my experience using Sweets and KG 12 - i.e., they both work about the same. But, I 'refresh' the copper remover in the barrel after a few minutes until the color is gone or just very pale. => Leaves me wondering if Sweets interacts with the copper to form a compound on the surface that prevents further reaction with copper.

FWIW, in my experience, BoreTech Cu remover also works about as well as KG 12 and Sweets.

Well I never used BoreTech Cu remover TBH. But KG-12 turned my copper rod into dark color after one cleaning, and destoryed my copper brush. Not sure if BoreTech is as impressive as the KG-12.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Bore Tech copper remover is my preference. Not impressed with the C4 Carbon Remover. Doesn't do much. I think spit would work just as well.

Honestly I keep seeing these threads over and over and over again and I've tested all of the products and none of them work as well as the Boretech. Every single one of the other products that was recommended if followed up by Boretech Will show blue.