Brake cleaning and accuracy

[6.5 forever]

Does a dirty brake affect accuracy or efficiency of a rifle? How often do you clean them?

 

[60723]

I clean every 500 rounds or so. Never see an accuracy change before or after. I clean when it starts looking slightly clogged. I clean with a concentrated solution of Lemishine in hot water. Leave in a couple of hours. If left overnight, the color may look slightly bronze.

 

[jpx2rk]

I've read where an ultrasonic cleaner works good on brakes, but have not tried this method. I've got a couple brakes that have 300+ rds on them , and haven't noticed a drop in accuracy. But I do a lot of load development so .....

 

[DaveTooley]

I've made radial brakes where the front row of holes left a star pattern on the front inside of the brake. They guided carbon and probably cleaning solvents toward the center of the brake. They accumulated to the point of restricting the bore. Accuracy was fine they needed to be scraped off occasionally.

 

[DHD]

I've read where an ultrasonic cleaner works good on brakes, but have not tried this method. I've got a couple brakes that have 300+ rds on them , and haven't noticed a drop in accuracy. But I do a lot of load development so .....

They do but I've found they still need a little brushing with a stiff nylon brush (depending on the shape of brush/ports of course). If you have any Cerakoted, the lighter colors can become discolored slightly if you use a harsher cleaner mixed in. I usually just use hot water and some Dawn.

 

[Eagle Six]

I installed a Area 419 Hellfire Match months ago and haven't cleaned it yet! Doesn't effect precision or accuracy. But Thank You for the reminder I should clean it some day!!

 

[DonB]

After many hundreds of rounds a muzzle brake can have enough buildup of carbon to create a false crown on the muzzle and that will adversely effect accuracy.

 

[Eagle Six]

After many hundreds of rounds a muzzle brake can have enough buildup of carbon to create a false crown on the muzzle and that will adversely effect accuracy.

What brakes are you using Don?

 

[DonB]

I have JP Rifles with their brakes but I believe this will happen with any brake. It does take lots of rounds for this to happen. I used to shoot a lot of 3 gun competitions and have had this happen on several rifles.

 

[Eagle Six]

So the carbon builds up right at the crown and brake ahead of the ports. I can see this happening. The Hellfire Match has a screw-on base. The Brake indexes on the base with a reverse thread collar. I take the brake off when cleaning the barrel and clean inside the mount and crown and there is a lost of carbon. However, I have not closely inspected this before or after cleaning. I'll do that next time to assure I am getting it clean. As for the brake and ports I never clean that. Maybe I should do that so it will look pretty.

Thank You for the reply and information.