Barrel cleaning fluid recommendations?

[clowdis]

There is a new bore cleaner called "ThorroClean" sold by Bullet Central. It is a mixture of Iosso bore-paste and some solution that makes it the consistency of paint. I clean my bore with BoreTech Eliminator to get the "loose" carbon out. Then I take my usual bronze brush, dip it in the ThorroClean and scrub the bore down thoroughly. I then use the ThorroClean on patches and do some patch work. Completely flush out the ThorroClean (which is not an easy task) and your bore will be as close to REALLY, REALLY clean as you can get. The bronze brush gets down in the "corners" of my 4 groove conventional style rifling and scrubs out the hard carbon. The patches make quick work of the lands. The barrel is as clean as it will ever come. After a 2 day F-Open event, the ThorroClean is quick as can be expected after a grueling 2 days..

So, Thorroclean contains Iosso bore paste? The Iosso contains an abrasive that barrel makers will void any warranty over. The unfortunate thing is that every chemical that I have tried that really works on carbon will contain some kind of abrasive. The only other things I have found that even come remotely close to removing carbon are the automotive products, but plenty of elbow grease required.

 

[Beiruty]

Whatever you use to clean the barrel, say Hoppe 9 or any other modern bore solvent.
Just try this and see what is left on the barrel

BROWNELLS J-B® BORE COMPOUND & KROIL | Brownells

Save money on the do-it-all combination that's been written up in several of the 'accuracy' publications: J-B and Kroil! Run a couple of patches soaked in Kroil through the bore to get under and loosen barrel fouling, then wipe away most of the cr...

www.brownells.com

 

[powderbrake]

I use Bore Tech Carbon Remover, followed by Bore Tech Cu+ Copper Remover, then for some oil in the barrel, Kroil for short time protection, Hoppes or other gun oil for long term protection. JB Bore paste for getting carbon rings or really tough carbon or copper out.

Don't forget to clean the lugs each time you clean the barrel.

To ensure that I can see the copper coming out on the patches, I use the Dewey Eliminator rods and jags.

Links;

https://www.boretech.com/

https://deweyrods.com/product-category/gun-cleaning-individual-rods/copper-eliminator-series/
https://deweyrods.com/product/24-2436mm-caliber-aluminum-jag-male-threaded/

https://www.amazon.com/Kano-Kroil-P...ocphy=9052587&hvtargid=pla-548961577674&psc=1

https://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-cl...tools/action-cleaning-tool-kit-prod35492.aspx

 

[ditter]

I did the dry patch, wet patch, nylon brush routine until I was getting "clean" patches. Then I stuck a foam earplug in the muzzle and set the barrel vertical. Fill up the barrel and chamber with Boretech and let it soak for 24 hours. You'd be surprised what comes out of the barrel when you empty it. The Boretech changed color from clear to blue. I then used a nylon brush for 10-15 strokes and a dry patch. The patch was dirtier than I had ever seen and the carbon ring was gone.

I think the key is truly soaking the barrel.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I gave up with ammonia based cleaners. Bore Tech or Hoppes for me.

 

[jpx2rk]

I use Bore Tech Carbon Remover, followed by Bore Tech Cu+ Copper Remover, then for some oil in the barrel, Kroil for short time protection, Hoppes or other gun oil for long term protection. JB Bore paste for getting carbon rings or really tough carbon or copper out.

Don't forget to clean the lugs each time you clean the barrel.

To ensure that I can see the copper coming out on the patches, I use the Dewey Eliminator rods and jags.

Links;

https://www.boretech.com/

https://deweyrods.com/product-category/gun-cleaning-individual-rods/copper-eliminator-series/
https://deweyrods.com/product/24-2436mm-caliber-aluminum-jag-male-threaded/

https://www.amazon.com/Kano-Kroil-P...ocphy=9052587&hvtargid=pla-548961577674&psc=1

https://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-cl...tools/action-cleaning-tool-kit-prod35492.aspx

Is the carbon remover better than the BT bore cleaner, or the same stuff???

 

[Mark W]

Back in the fall I broke down and made up a batch of Ed’s Red to try out. It seems to work pretty good for a general purpose cleaner, plus a gallon will last me a long long time.

 

[Dogman45]

I’ve used Ed’s Red for quite a few years in my shotguns. It worked as good as anything on the market. I started using it on my rifles and it seems to do the job.

 

[K22]

I switched to Bore Tech products a few years ago to get away from the obnoxious odor which I guess doesn't seem to bother you.

I like C4 Carbon Remover with a bronze brush. Seems to do a good job removing carbon and some copper. I stopped using the second treatment, Cu+2, for copper removal since I began getting first shot flyers and it was taking a few rounds for my rifles to settle in before they would shoot consistently.

Anyway, so far just using C4 is working for me judging from the performance results I'm getting on paper.

Prior to switching to Bore Tech products, I used Shooter's Choice for many years and I was completely satisfied with it except for the odor which was bothering the family - that was the only reason I switched.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

A good chamber plug and soak time is your friend and a brush saver. Sharp shooter products for me, best applied while barrel is still warm.

 

[ShootDots]

So, Thorroclean contains Iosso bore paste? The Iosso contains an abrasive that barrel makers will void any warranty over. The unfortunate thing is that every chemical that I have tried that really works on carbon will contain some kind of abrasive. The only other things I have found that even come remotely close to removing carbon are the automotive products, but plenty of elbow grease required.

I don't know if Iosso has a bad abrasive in it or not. But I do know that whatever is in there, it gets hard carbon out and so far, my barrels are none the worse for the wear. But I am firmly convinced that as good as Bore-Tech is, it will never do the job of JB or ThorroClean. I think that IF you could make a "solution" of JB and whatever to have the consistency of thick paint (like the ThorroClean) and use a bronze brush so it could get into the crevices / corners, it would do every bit as well as ThorroClean (Iosso).. I love Bore-Tech Eliminator, and you CAN get a barrel pretty dang clean>>>but with hours of "soak / scrub>>>soak / scrub" etc.. Or just get JB, Iooso or ThorroClean and be done in an hour or so..

 

[Medic505]

I use a mixture of Unicorn tears and Cacarabba oil. Cleans and lubricates with one patch. But you must remove your barrel before cleaning, so this applies only to us OCD guys.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

I don't think the chemical you use matters nearly as much as folks will talk about on the internet. Some are better than others, but there's nothing that replaces the cleaning action that a manual scrubbing provides.

I'm not going to try it, but I would bet you could dunk bronze brushes into a pail ATF, or motor oil and manage to get 90% of the carbon you'd get with Butches, or Boretech etc.

Copper is a different story, and obviously you do need some kind of copper dissolving solution to deal with that.

OP - If I were in your shoes I'd stock up on Butches. You get a lot of it for cheap, it's decent on copper without destroying bronze brushes in a few passes, and it smells like victory.

 

[Old Tanker]

BoreTech Eliminator.

 

[jelenko]

For $60, get a Teslong borescope. Look at the bore before and after trying something.
You'll quickly figure out what works.

I have reduced my cleaning time by over 50%. I've found that brushing with a bronze brush and, say, C4, gets the loose carbon out. Leaves a BUNCH of carbon in the barrel - and, of course, mostly in the first few inches.
Using a borescope tells me when it's time to use Iosso/JB.

FYI. When you see what carbon is left in a barrel even after scrubbing with a bronze brush, you'll realize what a waste of time it is trying to get any more out with solvent and dry patches. You're lucky to get 1/1000 additional carbon out with the wet patch/dry patch. [Copper is different]

 

[Ringostar]

I use a mixture of Unicorn tears and Cacarabba oil. Cleans and lubricates with one patch. But you must remove your barrel before cleaning, so this applies only to us OCD guys.

Dean, Did you quit using tarantula spit?

 

[Medic505]

Dean, Did you quit using tarantula spit?

Yeah, as dry as it's been they are hard to come by.

 

[Rsadams]

Butches for me and it's available on Amazon or at Cabela's... I used to love gunslick foaming but of course they stopped making it... I have bought some oof the other foams but nothing works like the gunslick I hope I can find something else... Foaming is just to easy for pistol barrels...

 

[old_heli_logger]

Someone needs to invent a hotrod. A cleaning rod that heats up the inside of your barrel. I think it might help

 

[HTSmith]

My lessons learned:

1. There's no "magic" chemical
2. A clean patch does not necessarily indicate a clean barrel.
3. You have to brush. They wear out quick. Buy them by the dozens.
4. Time is your friend. Let it soak.
5. Best to clean while the barrel is warm from shooting.
6. You'll have to use an abrasive at some point. Be careful with it.
7. Get a Teslong, but don't over-react. It doesn't have to be sparkly to shoot well.

As usual, I could be wrong