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Gen'l Purpose Products Adapted for Barrel Cleaning

When I first used a bore scope I discovered that my cleaning method had been working. I clean at the range, brush a lot with a bronze brush. and do not let the fouling in my barrels sit around and harden up. Of course the fact that most of my shooting had been with 133 was a factor, given that it is the cleanest burning rifle powder that I have tried. Teslong bore scopes are so inexpensive, I cannot think of a good reason for not owning one.
I cannot debate your logic. However, I am not sure if I used a scope, I would be able understand what I was looking at. Even worst, I might do more harm than good attempting to achieve some defined image that would declare the bore properly cleaned.

For example, after reading numerous posts about the advantages of bore scopes, I became intrigued always seeking an edge. My rifle smith has several scopes, so few years back we used one to look down a few of my older rifles, 2000+ rounds down the bore. I do not recall all the details but after my normal cleaning regime, I can tell you the bore did not look "bare metal pristine" clean. Yet, these rifles continue to shoot well enough for my purposes thus I am reluctant to fix something that isn't broken. He was of the same thinking, and he has been making custom precision rifles for over 30 years.

The entire thrust of my comments on cleaning is trying to understand why this is such an issue. I guess if you are a benchrest shooter or long-range precision shooter perhaps special cleaning methods are needed to meet their performance goals.
 
See, this is what I mean, going into the weeds for a secret recipe to clean a rifle. Anything that harms the steel of the bore can't be good, can it?

Why would one need to use some chemical other than a solvent designed and engineered to clean a rifle bore?
 
See, this is what I mean, going into the weeds for a secret recipe to clean a rifle. Anything that harms the steel of the bore can't be good, can it?

Why would one need to use some chemical other than a solvent designed and engineered to clean a rifle bore?
Exactly…. I bet I’ve spent a grand or more on various cleaning products over the years, and I have very firmly settled on 3 things, all of which are made for barrels.

Wipeout if it’s mostly copper.

Boretech if it’s mostly carbon (got one like that right now.)

JB if I’m tired of asking nicely.
 
There aren't any "miracle" products.

There's stuff that can remove loose carbon (I'm honestly surprised no one has tried berry's chem dip)- but once carbon hardens, you need an abrasive. It will not dissolve... without also dissolving steel.
 
I remember back in the day we used a device call a Lewis lead remover. We used it to remove lead from competition pistol barrels that we shot lead bullets in. Best I remember it used a tight fitting patch that was made from woven brass wire. It sure got the lead out and never heard anybody say it hurt their barrel
 
Can you share with us what problems it causes please? It would be helpful to know.

Thanks,

Pete
Pitting/etching of the bore. Once it happens you cannot undue the damage.

I did a test on c.m. steel and s.s. barrels.

Got the cm barrels bore wet and let it sit overnight. First off it took the bluing off where is was wet on the outside and the etching/pitting of the bore had already started. Less than 24 hours.

SS took longer. I didn’t see any effects letting it sit over night… got the bore wet some more and let it sit after several days. About day 5 etching/pitting of the bore had started.

You use it…you’re on your own.
 
Pitting/etching of the bore. Once it happens you cannot undue the damage.

I did a test on c.m. steel and s.s. barrels.

Got the cm barrels bore wet and let it sit overnight. First off it took the bluing off where is was wet on the outside and the etching/pitting of the bore had already started. Less than 24 hours.

SS took longer. I didn’t see any effects letting it sit over night… got the bore wet some more and let it sit after several days. About day 5 etching/pitting of the bore had started.

You use it…you’re on your own.
Thank You for sharing Frank G.

Pete
 
Hi Frank, what does Bartlein recommend for cleaning both in terms of products and technique/frequency? Many thanks.

Scott
Pitting/etching of the bore. Once it happens you cannot undue the damage.

I did a test on c.m. steel and s.s. barrels.

Got the cm barrels bore wet and let it sit overnight. First off it took the bluing off where is was wet on the outside and the etching/pitting of the bore had already started. Less than 24 hours.

SS took longer. I didn’t see any effects letting it sit over night… got the bore wet some more and let it sit after several days. About day 5 etching/pitting of the bore had started.

You use it…you’re on your own.
 
For some reason, there are lots of guys that think they are smarter than the chemists, engineers and other qualified individuals who manufacture products for a living. There must be an euphoric moment when they beat the system and make something work that others say will not…
 
For some reason, there are lots of guys that think they are smarter than the chemists, engineers and other qualified individuals who manufacture products for a living. There must be an euphoric moment when they beat the system and make something work that others say will not…
Yeah. I've wondered what motivates people to try unconventional cleaning products. Maybe it is to 'beat the system'.
 
For some reason, there are lots of guys that think they are smarter than the chemists, engineers and other qualified individuals who manufacture products for a living. There must be an euphoric moment when they beat the system and make something work that others say will not…

Well I tried other "stuff" after I got a bore scope and saw the barrel cleaners didn't do a very good job, and I didn't want to run a brush a hundred times or an abrasive every time after a Fclass match of 100 shots. Finally settled on FreeAll which would still flush crap after commercial solvents appeared clean, and my search is over.
 
Yeah. I've wondered what motivates people to try unconventional cleaning products. Maybe it is to 'beat the system'.
Sometimes it's a place or a person coming up with they're own thing to sell.

I'll say sometimes what they came up with isn't necessarily bad but it's how each person uses it that is a factor that they/we cannot control.
 

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