Cleaning sequence

[ARW]

In which order do you clean. Remove copper first and then go after the carbon to remove it or remove the carbon first and then go after the copper.

 

[tominboise]

Carbon first, then copper. It's all in layers, though, so probably doesn't matter. I need to clean both a couple of times on any given barrel.

 

[K22]

Always carbon first. Currently using Bore Tech C4 with a bronze brush - does a really good job on the carbon. It removes some copper also but not a lot.

Last year I changed my cleaning process. It's a long story that I posted on here elsewhere but the bottom line is I stopped using aggressive methods to remove copper. I know that cleaning procedure heresy and I'm not promoting it so don't unload on me. Keep doing what your doing if that makes you sleep well at night and you are happy with the way your rifle shoots.

Why did I do that? I was developing first shot flyers and it was taking a few rounds for the rifle to settle in to group consisently. A fellow shooter referred me to a number of articles of the subject of copper removal - I've posted them elsewhere on this sight. Of course I was skeptical because there is so much crazy info on the net so everything on there must be view with a healthy does of skepticism. However I conducted some testing this past summer to test the premise of so called "minimum disturbance cleaning and copper equalibrium". And at least for me, I found that I was over cleaning the bore relative to copper removal.

I had a suspicion that I was because when I switched from Shooter Choice a few years ago due to the odor bothering my wife and switched to Bore Tech C4 and Cu+2, things started to go sideways. Cu+2 did an excellent job of removing copper, much better that Shooter Choice at least in my rifles.

When I cleaned with Shooter's Choice I never had the problem with first shot flyers or having to shoot several rounds to "season" the barrel. Thus I concluded that a potential "cause and effect" association might exist that I was removing too much copper.

Now using only C4, I obtain the same effect as Shooter Choice, i.e. thorough carbon removal and "some" copper removal without the offensive odor. Plus the first shot flyers have disappeared and I don't have to "season" the barrel for it to shoot consistently

I repeat, I'm not advocating anything - I'm not expert - I'm just passing on what I learned with my rifles.

 

[ARW]

I have always cleaned carbon first and then went after the copper. I watched a few cleaning videos today and some said to clean the copper out first and then the carbon. Some were very adamant about it too.

That's why I asked hear to see what most are doing.

 

[strut64]

I suggest bore tech eliminator. It works one both. just follow their directions.

 

[George Foster]

I have been using Bore Tech Eliminator for a few years now. I use CU+2 if necessary but not often. I haven't had any very serious with POI after cleaning. I always shoot two foulers and they seem to pretty much hit the same POI as the ensuing groups.

 

[cw308]

I have been using Bore Tech Eliminator for a few years now. I use CU+2 if necessary but not often. I haven't had any very serious with POI after cleaning. I always shoot two foulers and they seem to pretty much hit the same POI as the ensuing groups.

 

[ARW]

For years now I've been using KG-1 for removing carbon and KG-12 for removing copper. Since I don't have a bore scope I guess they are doing ok at removing carbon and copper.
My wife really appreciates the low to no odor on them compared to Sweets 7.62, that's a real plus in it's self, gotta keep mommy happy, lol.

 

[BoydAllen]

I clean fairly often and do not clean separately for powder fouling and copper. The barrels that I use do not have copper issues and I use a relatively mild solvent that does have some ammonia, Butch's Bore Shine, with bronze brushes and patches. Occasionally, if a powder requires it, I tend to hard carbon with IOSSO, carefully, and only as much as needed.

 

[caihlen]

Carbon, then copper. Gently.