HBN coated bullets, Cleaning regime

[CentrePunch]

Hi Guys,
Before i send HBN coated bullets down my new barrel is there a specific cleaning regime i should adopt when using HBN?
Thanks.

Ian.

 

[rain164845]

My results have been pretty good with Hoppes Elite. I run some loose patches, let the barrel sit for a few minutes, then run some tight wet patches, then follow with 3 wet brush strokes, then patches again. Then foaming bore cleaner, then patches to get it out. I don't have a borescope, but nothing of consequence comes out with the foaming cleaner.

One thing that I do differently from everyone else is after tumbling the bullets, I load them as normal, then rub the bullets down with a soft rag. This seems to reduce my fouling by getting off all excess HBN before it goes down the bore, but leaves a goof coat in the neck of the case. The bullets have much less of a white hue, but are still just as slick.
Joe

 

[watercam]

Been shooting HBn 6mm DTACs for couple of years now, don't even think about it. Clean every 300-400 rounds with Butch's Bore Shine and/or Sweet's ala conventional cleaning routine. No problems. That is part of the appeal to me. No muss, no fuss.
Mike T.

 

[FBecigneul]

300-400 Shots??? Good Lord, what are shooting as far as group size or score is concerned? I clean after every target with a couple patches of GM TEC, wet then dry. I then run a patch dampened with alcohol and BN AC6111 grade and go shoot again. After five targets I run a couple wet patches, followed by the wet brush, wet patches, and dry. I generally shoot about 10-12 shots per target. This is using a 30BR. This cleaning process keeps me busy and prevents me from becoming a bigger pain than I am. Idle hands are the devil's workshop. This barrel has seen over 3000 rounds and it isn't tired yet.

 

[watercam]

Different disciplines. High Power is not Benchrest. My rifle still holds 1/2 moa at that rate of cleaning. You are shooting into the .150" range I imagine. I can shoot 100 rounds on a match day for several days in a row. No time to let the barrel "settle in" again after cleaning.

 

[jo191145]

;D Well,,, I ran my 6ppc with HBN all summer without cleaning. I don't log each shot but I would questimate I put at least 400rds through it. I was using Ramshot X-Terminator in it. Stuff shoots real nice until the temp goes below freezing.
I'd run a dry patch through the tube to make sure theres no spiders in there. It could still group in the 1's when the season wound down. Bad scores are my fault entirely, not the guns ;D
I realized quickly N-133 and naked pills required frequent cleaning. I was getting copper steadily accumulating. I could watch it group tight, then begin slowly walking rounds in one direction followed by groups opening up. Classic sign of fouling out. Never tried 133 with HBN tho.

X-Term leaves a nice layer of carbon in my barrel to disuade copper. Not sure if its the HBN washing it out or just the powder itself but the carbon does not accumulate past a certain point.
JMO but thats the key to shooting long strings without a rod.

I've gone 400+ rds in a factory 204 Savage with Win 748 and naked pills. I would'nt think of bringing it to an egg shoot unless it has 100rds down the barrel first. Just the way I do things.
Both these tubes will clean up in a snap. Different powders would be a different story.

 

[CentrePunch]

Thanks for that guys, much appreciated

Ian.

 

[RDavies]

I would have though carbon fouling would have been more of a problem after 400 shots? Does the HBN somehow reduce carbon fouling?
For you frequent cleaners, do you precoat the bore with HBN powder like some (Me included) do with moly paste when shooting moly bullets?