Bore Brushes

[Coolhand]

Gents , would be most grateful if you could offer your opinions on the use of SS bore brushes . I used to use the Kleenbore products as they had aluminium threads and not wound on brass wire. I see that several companies are offering SS brushes but must confess that I am a bit leary about using SS brushes in match barrels.

regards
Mike.

 

[fdshuster]

Mike: I would not touch a stainless steel cleaning brush-------ever! Go to the custom barrel makers websites, (Krieger, Bartlein, Hart, etc.) and read what they have to say about them.

The steel used can sometimes be harder than most barrel steels and are guaranteed to damage the bores.

 

[Coolhand]

fd , thanks for the reply , I think I knew deep down that SS brushes were a no no , seems everybody is making them . FYI an armourer I spoke to yesterday said that he would only ever use SS brushes on badly leaded pistol barrels.

regards
Mike.

 

[mac86951]

fd , thanks for the reply , I think I knew deep down that SS brushes were a no no , seems everybody is making them . FYI an armourer I spoke to yesterday said that he would only ever use SS brushes on badly leaded pistol barrels.

regards
Mike.

Yikes, Lead is soft, a Brass brush and good solvent are all that are really needed for that case, just apply a liberal application of elbow grease.
-Mac

 

[Coolhand]

Mac , agreed , however when he said badly leaded pistol barrels he meant it, apparently he has a agreement with a security company to service their issued revolvers which for the most part are severely neglected.

regards
Mike

 

[mac86951]

Mac , agreed , however when he said badly leaded pistol barrels he meant it, apparently he has a agreement with a security company to service their issued revolvers which for the most part are severely neglected.

regards
Mike

Ahh, I can see the need then. My cast .357 bullets do tend to lead up the barrel, so a few copper jacketed thrown into the mix helps ease things. Costly to do in high-volume service world.
-Mac

 

[fdshuster]

Mike: From "The Competitive AR15", by Glen D. Zediker, page 142: "Use bronze bristle bore brushes ( never stainless steel) to break free what powder solvent has loosened", etc. etc.

Stainless steel brushes will damage a pistol barrel just as easily as a rifle barrel. I cast, loaded and fired many thousands of 45ACP cartridges from 1960 to 2005, did get some leading (but not much), and never used stainless. Shooters Choice does make a solvent, "Lead Remover" that does a good job of removing most of the leading in a pistol barrel. It's also available in cleaning patch form, comes in a sheet about the size of a handkerchief, the proper sized patch's can be cut & used as you would a normal cleaning patch.

I also did not hesitate to use oversize bronze brushes, one caliber larger to help sweep the lead out of the corners where the lands meet the grooves. 44 brushes for 38/357, 50 cal. brushes for 45 cal. I pushed the oversize brushes through the bores from chamber to muzzle only, since if going in both directions, they will have a very short usable life with the bristles breaking off from the back and forth bending. In the case of a revolver where the barrel cannot be removed for cleaning some of these broken off bristles will find their way into the hammer & trigger areas, not good.

Many choices out there to remove lead, making stainless steel brushes a poor choice.

 

[kelbro]

Cut off pieces of COPPER Choreboy scouring pads (use a magnet, some brands are copper-washed steel) wrapped around a bore brush will take most leading out in a couple of strokes. Copper will not hurt your barrel.