LHSMITH said:win94- Depending how many rounds one fires, sooner or later, in all probability, you're going to run into carbon build-up cleaning with those products listed. Usually won't see it in the typical hunting gun which only sees a box or two of rounds per season....but if it's a competition, PD/varmint, or paper-puncher that gets used routinely many find that routine use of JB or Iosso is the only answer to keep a carbon ring from forming.
Win94ae said:LHSMITH said:win94- Depending how many rounds one fires, sooner or later, in all probability, you're going to run into carbon build-up cleaning with those products listed. Usually won't see it in the typical hunting gun which only sees a box or two of rounds per season....but if it's a competition, PD/varmint, or paper-puncher that gets used routinely many find that routine use of JB or Iosso is the only answer to keep a carbon ring from forming.
I have a 30 year old Win94ae that has never seen or will ever see an abrasive.
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I shoot it about every other day.
BoydAllen said:Thanks for the additional details of your procedure. What kind of alcohol, and do you patch between the various brushings?
Yes.BoydAllen said:So, you believe that the alcohol and brush will remove carbon better than just using a regular solvent and brushing?
Yes I have. Try it yourself.BoydAllen said:Have you done a comparison? I guess what I am trying to get at is on what basis you believe that the alcohol step is needed.
BoydAllen said:I am trying to learn as much as I can about your method. I plan on giving parts of it a try. Currently, at the range, I patch and brush with Butch's Bore Shine, using a bronze brush.
I see only one mention of abrasives on their Frequently Asked Questions page and it is in the Q: Can you damage a barrel during cleaning? section. I quote...fdshuster said:Krieger advises on their web site, under Frequently asked questions, to use JB bore paste as needed.
I use Krieger (mostly) barrels & will continue to follow their advice.
My opinion based on the recommendation(s) of the barrel maker, and what I see with my borescope.
You can also damage a barrel from simply over cleaning (cleaning more often than needed) and by the over/improper use of abbrasive cleaners.
[emphasis theirs]There are two basic types of bore cleaners, chemical and abrasive. The chemical cleaners are usually a blend of various ingredients including oils, solvents, and ammonia (in copper solvents). The abrasive cleaners generally contain no chemical solvents and are an oil, wax, or grease base with an extremely fine abrasive such as chalk, clay, or gypsum.
We recommend the use of good quality, name brand chemical cleaners on a proper fitting patch/jag combination for your particular bore size and good quality properly sized nylon or bronze brushes.
LHSMITH said:win94- The obvious question is how often do you clean? ......and how many strokes with the brush? Are you using a rod for the 94 which requires you to clean from the muzzle? I am intrigued by your use of alcohol. I cleaned muzzleloaders back in the day using only alcohol.
K22 said:The November 2009 issue of the American rifleman had an article entitled "The Clean Barrel" which challenges several of the established practices regarding "barrel break in" and cleaning. It makes for very thought provoking reading. It confirmed some of my own long held suspicions on the issue of cleaning and barrel break in.