Dreaded Carbon Ring

[searcher]

Not to mention he says there is no such thing as neck tension. It’s neck interference he claims and runs .003 in all his rifles. I knew from that single vid he was full of it

Maybe ask for a waste size of "32 inches of interference" next time I get new pants....

 

[nmkid]

I was reading an article about carbon problems and the writer was spewing praises about Wilson's Combat Carbon Remover. I ordered some to use next time I venture into the "Carbon Ring" realm.

 

[capitol]

I tried a bunch of “carbon cleaners” and found three that really do work.

First is the Bore Tech C4. It works (kinda) but its slow and I would soak those cleaning pellets and let them sit on the carbon ring for 15-20 minutes. After several applications and some nylon brush pass throughs the carbon ring will go away eventually.

Kroil and JB paste on a patch wrapped around a nylon brush. This concoction is very well known and does do the job. Scrub and scrub with a nylon brush and that carbon ring will start to come out. Works really well when compared to other chemicals.

The best solution by far is ThorroClean Bore Cleaner. I’ve read it’s liquified Iosso bore cleaner but not as abrasive. Oh Iosso bore cleaner will remove carbon rings too.

The ThorroClean works the fastest with the least amount of brush scrubbing, but your still going to need to wrap a patch around a nylon brush. Oh and I recommend a different bottle than what ThorroClean comes in. When you apply it to a patch you will understand.

 

[Bill Norris]

I tried a bunch of “carbon cleaners” and found three that really do work.

First is the Bore Tech C4. It works (kinda) but its slow and I would soak those cleaning pellets and let them sit on the carbon ring for 15-20 minutes. After several applications and some nylon brush pass throughs the carbon ring will go away eventually.

Kroil and JB paste on a patch wrapped around a nylon brush. This concoction is very well known and does do the job. Scrub and scrub with a nylon brush and that carbon ring will start to come out. Works really well when compared to other chemicals.

The best solution by far is ThorroClean Bore Cleaner. I’ve read it’s liquified Iosso bore cleaner but not as abrasive. Oh Iosso bore cleaner will remove carbon rings too.

The ThorroClean works the fastest with the least amount of brush scrubbing, but your still going to need to wrap a patch around a nylon brush. Oh and I recommend a different bottle than what ThorroClean comes in. When you apply it to a patch you will understand.

Thorro Clean does work well but as you mentioned the applicator leaves a lot to be desired. I put mine in one of those small needle dispenser top bottles.

 

[jelenko]

Flitz bore cleaner is right up there with Iosso [haven't tried Thorro clean].

 

[Murray Brook]

Flitz bore cleaner is right up there with Iosso [haven't tried Thorro clean].

Agree. I have used Iosso and JB but Fritz IMO is best.

 

[CharlieNC]

I was very disappointed with Thoro Clean. To begin with it did a poor job on powder residue, and inferior to Iosso on carbon. For me Freeall followed by Iosso when necessary has been the best system by far. But powders are different and thus the best cleaner is as well.

 

[BoydAllen]

I was reading an article about carbon problems and the writer was spewing praises about Wilson's Combat Carbon Remover. I ordered some to use next time I venture into the "Carbon Ring" realm.

IMO one of the great confusions on the internet is people who call powder fouling carbon, and get involved in discussions about what many call hard carbon, which as far as I know no liquid can remove, although one that I know of can make it a easier to remove, with soaking. The carbon ring that I believe many are dealing with, is not just fresh powder fouling, from just a few shots, done just before cleaning.

Most are dealing with removing hard carbon, which is an entirely different and much more challenging problem.

One tip, you may have noticed how easy it is to remove powder fouling from the outsides of case necks shortly after firing, and how much more difficult it is to remove a week later. If you cannot do a thorough cleaning right after you finish shooting, I suggest that you wet the barrel with Kroil and leave it that way until you clean.

 

[urbanrifleman]

IMO one of the great confusions on the internet is people who call powder fouling carbon, and get involved in discussions about what many call hard carbon, which as far as I know no liquid can remove, although one that I know of can make it a easier to remove, with soaking. The carbon ring that I believe many are dealing with, is not just fresh powder fouling, from just a few shots, done just before cleaning.

Most are dealing with removing hard carbon, which is an entirely different and much more challenging problem.

One tip, you may have noticed how easy it is to remove powder fouling from the outsides of case necks shortly after firing, and how much more difficult it is to remove a week later. If you cannot do a thorough cleaning right after you finish shooting, I suggest that you wet the barrel with Kroil and leave it that way until you clean.

I call it soot.

 

[Ccrider]

Jb on a nylon brush just plain ole works.
I watched @orkan’s video. Did not see anything I thought was inaccurate or problematic.

What he says about cleaning a Rimfire barrel, I have read elsewhere. It proves true in my Vudoo. I clean the chamber to keep the carbon ring out, but do not clean the entire barrel. I have over a thousand rounds down the uncleaned barrel and it just shoots better and better.

This video helps explain the cleaning process: https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/a-guide-to-22lr-barrel-care-for-the-precision-rimfire-shooter/

 

[YBPS]

Bumping an old thread. I experienced a carbon ring ahead of the neck in a relatively new chamber, 150ish rounds of 22-243AI. I used C4, with a 6MM nylon brush, a 1-1/4 patch, with a tiny little dab of ThorroClean. Just 10 rotations of the cleaning rod, checked it with bore scope, then 10 more easy spins and it’s now spotless.

Good info on this thread. Thank you for the help.

 

[ArtinNC]

After shooting today and cleaned my gun at the range . when I got home I bore scoped the barrel and I don't have a carbon ring but out to about 4 inches I still have carbon , and this barrel just has 500 rounds thru it .

 

[FloridaGeo]

Greg Roman from Vudoo gunworks has a video out on how he cleans his rifles. Uses bore tech carbon cleaner. No real "scrubbing" I have several vudoo rifles and it has worked for me.

 

[Scooby-93]

Bumping an old thread. I experienced a carbon ring ahead of the neck in a relatively new chamber, 150ish rounds of 22-243AI. I used C4, with a 6MM nylon brush, a 1-1/4 patch, with a tiny little dab of ThorroClean. Just 10 rotations of the cleaning rod, checked it with bore scope, then 10 more easy spins and it’s now spotless.

Good info on this thread. Thank you for the help.

Info on your 22-243 please

 

[ArtinNC]

I can't find it now but someone said to use Mineral Spirits to clean carbon . So I have a barrel that don't have a carbon ring but some carbon at about 4 inch mark . And WOW did it come out black and I bore scoped that barrel and like I said carbon at 4 inch mark . Let it sock a hour and did that 3 times and carbon gone . So from now on I'll clean as allways and finish with Mineral Spirits .

 

[Shooter13]

I call it soot.

Powder fouling yes, hard carbon NO!

 

[urbanrifleman]

Powder fouling yes, hard carbon NO!

Correct.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

There is no known solvent to DISSOLVE the hard carbon deposits in firearms.

 

[K22]

Following this with interest. I never heard of a carbon ring before I joined this forum. I have several thousand rounds through 10 different 223 Rem Bolt rifles and wonder why I haven't experienced this problem at least to the level that it has created functionality or performance problems.

Before you denotate on me, I am NOT claiming that the carbon ring problem does not exist. Obviously, there is something to it since so many experienced and knowledgeable members, most knowing a lot more than me, validate that the problem exits.

I clean every 50 to 60 rounds with a simple solvent and bronze brush. Except for a short time when I used more expensive and aggressive solvents after being seduced by the internet, I have done it this way since I began shooting in 60's. Also, I never shoot sustained fire sequences unless, which is rare, that I need a follow up shot during a hunt. All my range practice shots are cool or cold barrel. I shoot about thousand centerfire rifle rounds a year in practice and hunting.

I am just trying to understand the issue. A guy on Militaryarms.org posted a video on YouTube describing an 8,000 round test perform in which no "copper fouling" or "carbon ring" issue appeared that affected functionality or performance. He's a precision long range shooter and appear not to be a nut case. He claims that the "carbon stain" seen does not affect the rifling and therefore has no effect on accuracy.

The positive news is, if I get "the ring", this thread has some great suggestions, and I made notes.

 

[YBPS]

Info on your 22-243 please

I got it chambered by Short Action Customs. My first experience with them, it went well. It’s a 8 twist 26” heavy Palma on a BAT TR. So far it’s shooting decent. Tried several powders (4350, H1000, 4831) with 75 ELDM, it shot ok. but I got lots of velocity spread, that I could not tame. Up to 50 fps ES. Went to a Berger 80.5 with H1000 and getting way lower ES (10-15) for 5 shot stings, and .5” groups. Average 3555 fps.

One thing that needs more testing is my brass that has 5x firings has some pretty loose primer pockets. They still go in and are not at risk of comming out, but it seems to me that the the brass loose with primer pockets produce a 20 or more fps velocity in average. Like I said this needs more testing but the loose primer pocket brass seems to be bit faster…. Strange.