Brake cleaner after shooting

[Joe R]

Hi Guys,
I have started using brake cleaner to flush the bore after I'm finished shooting and while the bore is still warm. I generally do a thorough cleaning of the rifle when I get home.
I have been using brake cleaner to clean the brushes at the end of a cleaning session and it always does a good job of blowing carbon and dirt off.

Does anybody else use this? What is your experience? Do you have preferred after shooting method? Thanks for sharing.

Joe

 

[jonbearman]

Been doing it for years when I have some to spare!

 

[fdshuster]

Joe: I've been using it for about 2 years at the suggestion of a friend. Mainly to assure that I am not putting the rifle away with a chamber partially wet with solvent.

 

[Bobr]

Been using it for 20 years to flush out any solvent after cleaning the bore followed by a dry one. There was a post a while back where someone said it attacked the stainless, go to a NHRA meet and watch all the top fuel, funny car and pro stock guys clean all there aluminum and steel parts with it. Shooters Choice used to sell there own brand to flush after solvent but I have not seen it in a while, it was $10 a can.

 

[Joe R]

Bobr1 said: ....it was $10 a can.

Boy, that's rich. I'm talking about the $2.96 a can from Walmart/Auto Zone etc...

 

[thefitter]

Been using it for 20 years to flush out any solvent after cleaning the bore followed by a dry one...

+1

IMO it enables me to establish a very consistent clean/cold bore shot.

If I'm storing it more than for a month I run a patch of oil through, but I always patch that out with brake cleaner before shooting.

 

[NateHaler]

Hi Guys,
I have started using brake cleaner to flush the bore

Does anybody else use this?

Yep. For 15+ years it's been part of the routine. It's also a good product to use for trigger assemblies, i.e. when you don't want any residue left behind.

 

[22BRGUY]

Wonder how it affects carbon rings if any?

 

[Lapua40X]

Wonder how it affects carbon rings if any?

I would expect it to soften carbon rings but not flush them. It'd take some concentrated brushing to break up the carbon accumulations. I believe that it's important to remember that brake cleaner is very aggressive.
CAUTION: I would never put away my rifle after using brake cleaner without a light coat of oil. Spray a little on your brake rotors the next time you do a brake job and let it set for three or four hours. The color on the rotor is rust ..............

 

[Joe R]

22BRGUY said: Wonder how it affects carbon rings if any?

That's a very good point Dennis. Now that you mention it, I did notice parts of a carbon ring last week when I used my borescope. At the time I just thought of it as dirt, but now that I think about it, it is where the carbon ring would normally form. You just gave me more food for thought. Thank you.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Carbon ring responds to outboard motor tuneup. The stuff you spray in the throttle body while running to cut carbon buildup from valves and pistons. Don't spray it in the rifle while it is running.LT

 

[LHSmith]

No. I use enough patches to get the bore solvent out. My last patch after cleaning at the end of a shooting session is a patch with a non-teflon oil (I use Butches), when it's time to shoot again I send a clean loose patch down the bore so a light film remains. I don't send bullets down a dry unfouled bore.

 

[NCVarhtr]

I've been using Brake cleaner fluid for years to clean the brushes...I use Kroil in the bore to soften fouling as well as copper. It is a great penetrating oil (as you know) and when left in the bore for a while, it loosens carbon as well as copper......

 

[Dave T]

I've been flushing my bore brushes with brake cleaner for many many years, no one wants to use a dirty brush on the next brushing. I don't spray into the chamber but I do wet my chamber cleaning patch with a little brake cleaner to make sure it's free of solvent. I also flush out my bore guides with brake cleaner before I put them away, of course I lightly apply a little grease on the o rings. Be careful with the brake cleaner because it will leave everything really dry.
Dave T

 

[22BRGUY]

22BRGUY said: Wonder how it affects carbon rings if any?

That's a very good point Dennis. Now that you mention it, I did notice parts of a carbon ring last week when I used my borescope. At the time I just thought of it as dirt, but now that I think about it, it is where the carbon ring would normally form. You just gave me more food for thought. Thank you.

You're welcome Joe...Thank you for really good post.

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

I've incorportated it from time to time in my bore cleaning regimen but, if I have any around I will "cleanse" my brushes with it after use! After all, a copper solvent will take it's toll on a bronze bore brush as well!

Mike

 

[Syncrowave]

I have started using brake cleaner to flush the bore after I'm finished shooting and while the bore is still warm. I generally do a thorough cleaning of the rifle when I get home.

I'd be real careful about flushing with brake cleaner if I didn't plan to clean and oil the bore immediately. If you flush the bore with it, brake cleaner is going to remove every last trace of oil, leaving the steel susceptible to rust if you don't get some oil on it soon.

 

[DennisH]

I have started using brake cleaner to flush the bore after I'm finished shooting and while the bore is still warm. I generally do a thorough cleaning of the rifle when I get home.

I'd be real careful about flushing with brake cleaner if I didn't plan to clean and oil the bore immediately. If you flush the bore with it, brake cleaner is going to remove every last trace of oil, leaving the steel susceptible to rust if you don't get some oil on it soon.

True, I have used brake cleaner for years. I run a dry patch down the bore, then follow with an oiled patch. Allways spray something like Rem-Oil after the brake cleaner flashes off. Brake cleaner will suck the oil out of the metal, but works great.

Dennis

 

[Albany Mountain]

DON'T GET IT ON THE STOCK!!!

 

[DennisH]

DON'T GET IT ON THE STOCK!!!

Are you referring to the stock finish? OR?