Bore "Conditioner" after Cleaning

[Geronimo Jim]

Lock eze for me. If it is good enough for Tony Boyer, it is good enough for me.
Usually first shot in group.

 

[david12601]

I use all the usual cancer causing goodies followed by bore scope inspection followed by lock eze

 

[SeabeeKen]

From the Ballistol sds. Nothing special.

BALLISTOL
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (cont.)
TECHNICAL DATA SHEETS FOR BALLISTOL
Contents
Ballistol contains medicinal grade mineral oil, alkaline salts of oleic acid, several alcohols, Benzyl Acetate and an oil
from vegetal seeds. The mineral oil is unchlorinated and conforms to the specifications of US Pharmacopeia XX.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://clenzoil.com/collections/most-popular/products/field-range-solution
I'm liking Clenzoil then patching excess out.

 

[coford]

I have used Ed's Red for 30 years after cleaning the bore. It seems to protect the bore well and cuts down on copper fouling. I make it up by the gallon and a gallon last for years. Cleans most fouling and leaves a layer of lubrication. Great for shotguns and pistols also. Keep it away from stock finish as the acetone will remove some of them.

 

[K22]

Problematic in what way ? And what was the solution ?
Thanks

Let me address the copper issue first then the WD 40.

Copper Issue
Like most shooters, I read gun magazines then came the internet and became convinced that aggressive copper removal was necessary to maintain peak accuracy performance.

For most of my shooting career now approaching 60 years, first I used Hoppe's 9 like everyone else in my circle back in the 60 and 70's. The I switched to Shooter's Choice sometime in the early 80's because I read that it's does a better job on copper. I would learn later that it only does a marginal job on copper compared to more aggressive solutions. I was completely satisfied with its performance in that it maintained POI and I had no clean barrel flyers. Truth is, I could not detect any difference in Hoppe's 9 and Shooter's Choice on target, but I stayed with Shooter's Choice.

Due to my wife becoming ill a few years ago, I had to abandon Shooter's Choice since odor was making her sick. So, I searched for an odorless alternative. After research, I choose Bore Tech products, the two-part system, C4 and Cu+2. Both are outstanding in removing carbon and copper. I choose the two-part system because right or wrong, I absolutely believe in a bronze brush to remove carbon thus the selection of C4 for carbon since it does not react aggressively with a bronze brush.

I began getting clean barrel flyers and the need to "recondition" the bore with about 5 to 10 rounds, depending on the rifle to re-established POI. After extensive research*, testing with added frustration, I traced the culprit to Cu+2. It appeared I was removing too much copper in my rifles. Once I suspended the aggressive copper removal, things settled back to normal with just C4. Apparently, C4, functions similar Hoppe's 9 and Shooter's Choice, they remove a minimal amount of copper. Again, the truth is, I couldn't detect any difference between these with to regards to results on target. Maybe the reason is that I clean every 50 to 60 rounds.

WD-40
I used WD-40 after cleaning with Hoppe's or Shooter's Choice to neutralize any residual solvent and provide some corrosion protection. It seemed to work ok in that in didn't affect POI, but the problems became if you got that stuff in the trigger assembly in gummed things up fairly severely. So, I stopped using it several years ago and went back to a very light coat of Hoppe's gun oil (mineral oil). I dry patch before shooting.

Note
*During my research I discovered a few articles dealing with the concept of establishing "copper equilibrium", which essentially advocates not aggressively removing copper with strong copper solvents. I was very skeptical because this is contrary to every expert opinion I have read by top competitors. Nevertheless, I tried it and it worked for me. However, I am not an expert, top competitor, long range shooter, or bench rest shooter etc. I am only a varmint hunting but that does require some level of precision in the sub 1 moa range. Therefore, it is not appropriate for me in any way to refute these top shooters claims regarding copper removal. I can only comment on what I experienced.

References: gunblue490 web site, Gun Cleaning and Solvent, How to Clean Your Rifle Professionally.

 

[Rat Rifle]

Ok, to be fair to WD-40, we shouldn’t get anything in the trigger. No cleaner or lubricant.That’s why we use bore guides with o rings on them, and tilt the barrel downward. I use it to flush also. WD-40 might not be the best stuff, but I can’t see how it could ever hurt a steel rifle barrel.

 

[K22]

Ok, to be fair to WD-40, we shouldn’t get anything in the trigger. No cleaner or lubricant.That’s why we use bore guides with o rings on them, and tilt the barrel downward. I use it to flush also. WD-40 might not be the best stuff, but I can’t see how it could ever hurt a steel rifle barrel.

I agree, I used a bore guide with it and the rifle was tilted downward while cleaning which is my standard practice.

The problem became, because of the low viscosity of WD 40, it creeped down via gravity into the trigger assembly over time with the rifle store in the safe in upright position.

When I began having trigger problems, my gunsmith serviced the triggers and found them coated with residue from the WD 40.

 

[dcali]

A dry patch works fine.

 

[Forum Boss]

I use two applications of Wipe-Out foam. The inventor of Wipe-out says that it leaves a thin, molecular-level residue with repeated use that: 1) Makes future cleaning easier; and 2) Eliminates the need for any bore conditioner.

I cannot prove or disprove those claims. I will say, that people has absolutely been stunned/shocked/dumbfounded how little brushing I need to do with my custom barrels (Brux, Krieger, Pac-Nor). After cleaning, I run a dry patch through the bore at the range before shooting session and make sure the chamber is clean. Then, after 2-3 fouling shots, the barrel is good to go.

I won't substitute my experience for the learned practices of top shooters in any disciplines. There are many solvents and methods that work. I don't have to shoot 100+ rounds for record in a day. But I think a large percentage of rifle shooters are not cleaning in the most efficient and effective fashion.

I don't have any centerfire barrels that seem to need a "conditioner" after cleaning.

NOTE: For long-term storage, I do run some Eezox down the bore as a rust preventative.

 

[Dave M.]

Just finish with with a loose patch with Patch Out on it, followed by two loose fitting dry patches. Works great and the first shot is all it takes to get the rifle to group.

 

[Dave M.]

Ive never found a use for wd40 myself. Everything it advertises that it does other products do it better

Exactly. WD-40 has very few practical uses, perhaps even less uses than Armor All.