Barrel cleaning question or poll?

[NC/Br Shooter]

My question at hand,;
Is brake cleaner hard on barrels?
Iv been using it for so long, it's come to mind that I've noticed not alot of folks use it.
I mainly use free all and brake cleaner and that's it.

 

[CharlieNC]

Seems like some brake cleaners contain chlorine, which does not play well with steel. Perhaps you can reasonably clean it aferwards but I would not risk it. FreeAll alone is an excellent cleaner.

 

[Bob3700]

I use alcohol to rinse the bore cleaners off my brushes. Use lighter fluid for the final wipe of the chambers.
There is nothing in brake cleaner that is focused on removing carbon or copper.

 

[jelenko]

I'm sure that non chlorinated brake cleaner will not harm your barrel.

How are you using the brake cleaner? If spraying down the barrel, it's only going to remove loose carbon.

I'd suggest you get a bore scope to see the effects of what/how of your cleaning.

 

[JEFFPPC]

My thought is you don't have clean barrels. Because of the Free All fans on here I have tried it several times leaving it to soak for as long as a week. I gave it away.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

I clean every time i shoot. So I really am not worried about build up.
I may start using alcohol or lighter fluid as suggested. I just noticed Iv been the odd ball using brake cleaner and wanted to see if others used it much. I mean, it sure does a good job of flushing out everything.

 

[gmr4]

My thought is you don't have clean barrels. Because of the Free All fans on here I have tried it several times leaving it to soak for as long as a week. I gave it away.

Free All is the best carbon remover I’ve tried. It does not work unless you brush it in. If just using it on a patch it doesn't do much. Free All does not touch copper.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Free All is the best carbon remover I’ve tried. It does not work unless you brush it in. If just using it on a patch it doesn't do much. Free All does not touch copper.

I’d agree. I’d put carb out even with it.

 

[precision1]

Use free all for carbon and flush between chemicals with alcohol is his I do it.

But I do clean out my dies after each use with dechlorinated brake cleaner. free all works well as light preservative here also until next use.

I don't think break cleaner does anything except remove loose powder fouling from barrel or be fine to remove solvents between cleaning steps.

I would use any clp and a bronze brush before I'd expect brake cleaner to do much of anything

 

[precision1]

Would be nice if free all came in a bottle not aerosol.

 

[K22]

With all the commercial solvents available designed specifically for firearms, I am puzzled why one would go into the weeds on this one. Looking for the "holy grail" of cleaning solvent I imagine. Hope one finds it, I never did. What I did learn is that if you clean regularly with a simple solvent and bronze brush you can maintain high performance at the varmint accuracy level with no clean barrel flyers.

However, if you want to try some off market stuff, try mineral spirits. This stuff is very effective against carbon, the patches come out as black as coal. Follow with a lightly coated patch of your favorite gun oil. Dry patch before shooting.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Another one for the shelf that will knock the heck out of carbon........

Regards
Rick

 

[pilediver]

Would be nice if free all came in a bottle not aerosol.

Free All is available in a pump spray bottle, Amazon

 

[precision1]

Free All is available in a pump spray bottle, Amazon

Thank you

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I've seen Free All in one gallon cans, about 85$.

 

[D Coots]

I used alcohol after cleaning just tonight. My experience tells me that when I use to much it's a long walk to the house....

 

[Martin52]

Just before shooting (FTR comp) I use brake cleaner to patch out oil left in the bore after the previous cleaning. After patching out I put a dab or two of Lock Ease on a VFG felt and coat the bore, concentrating on the first 9-12 inches. The first shot is usually in the group. I haven't seen any damage using brake cleaner this way, I borescope most cleaning sessions.

 

[marchx]

I am using the Führer‘s choice. Works every time.

 

[Fuj]

Hoppe's, Sweets' if needed, Piston Kleen when the carbon gets
baked, but that's my fault, and Yuengling Lager......

 

[JMayo]

I'm equally concerned with my stock and bedding so i tend to not use chemicals not intended for gun cleaning. However, i do use liquid seafoam, not spray, at home when i clean thoroughly after a match.
I've seen some with bushels of different automotive cleaners going for it. So to each his own i reckon.