How to clean a barrel that's not screwed into a receiver?

[NorCalMikie]

Oh...you were talking about a Bench rest barrel!? and there I was revealing my ML cleaning secrets....

Only problem with that "suction" method? Cleaning solution smells like sewer water.
Works slick if you can get past the smell. And don't forget the WD 40 to drive out the moisture when you're done.

 

[dogdude]

Use a barrel vise.

 

[DiffEQ]

I use all-thread. Gets rid of those nasty carbon rings.
J/K

 

[Bill Score]

There's soooooo much stuff on cleaning barrels out there it will drive you absolutely nuts.... Let me just say my opinion.... I have rifles that were my grandfather's who shot them and hunted with them his whole life.... They were definitely not ever cleaned with a bore guide since I doubt they existed.... They were cleaned with whatever rod came in whatever cleaning kit that was available and I can assure you none were coated since once again there was no such thing.... Every one of those guns , pistols , rifles and even shotguns still shoot as good as they did when new.... Alot of the time these hunting rifles were just dosed in wd-40 and wiped down after coming out of the field and shoved back in a gun cabinet.... Sounds crazy but that's how most guns were cared for back then.... If they were cared for that well at all.....

I don't shoot them a ton of course but the other day I replaced a scope becouse I bought a new one and move everything thing down the list swapping down scopes from one rifle to another , when I get to the bottom gun that scope that was on that one goes on a shelf.... That rifle , a 600 Mohawk in 6mm rem put the last three Bullets clovered all touching at 100 , the bullets were simply blue box federal not even handloads.... I understand why all this new stuff exist but if pushing a decent rod down a barrel at the speed of smell is the problem I think there may be different problems.... I do now clean with coated rods and bore guides etc but it is strange that 50+ year old rifles that have never seen any of it still shoot great.... Maybe the old rifles just don't know any better.... This is just my life experience and opinion so take it for what you want.... It doesn't cost anything...

Edit... I also have a good sized box of the latest and greatest reloading and cleaning crap that I give away to people who want to try it all the time.... I just stick with what works for me now because I am tired of chasing good money after bad and I bet I am not the only one....

Just kidding, sometimes I think we do go overboard. That said, my Bartleins still get the good stuff.

 

[NorCalMikie]

sometimes I think we do go overboard.

Ya think?? Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I wonder? How about a slightly larger diameter piece of PVC pipe, capped on one end. Place the barrel in, fill with your favorite solvent and cap the other end. Let it sit and soak for several days.

I guess this is more a question than an answer.

 

[shoobe01]

I don't think a carbon fiber cleaning rod can damage throats or the lands. Then again if there is a need somebody will make the tool for it. see the 21st century as posted by John.

To be clear since not really mentioned: The concern is a standard problem of working machines, and machine shops. It is not that metal on metal or plastic on metal or whatever will cause damage, but that there's random junk floating trough the air, on your benches, etc. Often microscopic abrasives. Especially in a smaller shop vs a production facility where you do not separate blasting, sanding, grinding, etc from the cleaning station, there will be abrasives, that can get stuck to the rod and THOSE will wear bits of the barrel you care about.

I've seen it. Old guns (hard to clean from the chamber) with visibly (though slightly) elongated crowns from cleaning, and more. Military armorers see this and more today; overcleaning of all things causes more damage than the dirt. Here's a good example: scraping the carbon off the tail of the bolt of an M16 using the edge of the charging handle. Aluminum on steel, must be safe right? Nope. Causes damage to the bolt tail, whereas the carbon buildup is of no significance at all and can be left there.

For barrels, aside from any level of bore guide to keep it centered: wipe the rod down regularly in use, try to keep it centered, and just generally clean only enough, not vastly too much.

 

[Chiquita]

To be clear since not really mentioned: The concern is a standard problem of working machines, and machine shops. It is not that metal on metal or plastic on metal or whatever will cause damage, but that there's random junk floating trough the air, on your benches, etc. Often microscopic abrasives. Especially in a smaller shop vs a production facility where you do not separate blasting, sanding, grinding, etc from the cleaning station, there will be abrasives, that can get stuck to the rod and THOSE will wear bits of the barrel you care about.

I've seen it. Old guns (hard to clean from the chamber) with visibly (though slightly) elongated crowns from cleaning, and more. Military armorers see this and more today; overcleaning of all things causes more damage than the dirt. Here's a good example: scraping the carbon off the tail of the bolt of an M16 using the edge of the charging handle. Aluminum on steel, must be safe right? Nope. Causes damage to the bolt tail, whereas the carbon buildup is of no significance at all and can be left there.

For barrels, aside from any level of bore guide to keep it centered: wipe the rod down regularly in use, try to keep it centered, and just generally clean only enough, not vastly too much.

Not to argue but sounds like we need to clean the rifles in a laboratory clean room. I just don't see stronger than barrel material floating in the air and large enough to land on the cleaning rod to cause any damage.

To each their own.

 

[DiffEQ]

I wonder? How about a slightly larger diameter piece of PVC pipe, capped on one end. Place the barrel in, fill with your favorite solvent and cap the other end. Let it sit and soak for several days.

I guess this is more a question than an answer.

That could get expensive and super messy!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

One of the delrin barrel thread protectors with a hole in it for the rod, works pretty well.

 

[DGP4]

I'm with the others that say you don't need a guide. Use a carbon fiber rod and wipe it clean with a cotton cloth as you extract it from the barrel...easy peasy!

 

[Rsadams]

I wonder? How about a slightly larger diameter piece of PVC pipe, capped on one end. Place the barrel in, fill with your favorite solvent and cap the other end. Let it sit and soak for several days.

I guess this is more a question than an answer.

What about just corking it , maybe some wine bottle corks etc...

 

[skeeljc]

I made an aluminum sleeve that screws onto the barrel and is bored for my rod guide. I made mine about 4" long.

 

[PigButtons]

What about just corking it , maybe some wine bottle corks etc...

What caliber is a wine bottle cork?

I hope you have a sense of humor.

 

[gdbleb]

I wonder? How about a slightly larger diameter piece of PVC pipe, capped on one end. Place the barrel in, fill with your favorite solvent and cap the other end. Let it sit and soak for several days.

I guess this is more a question than an answer.

I made one of these for the AR BCG. Mineral spirit soak for a day or 2 after a match, then disassemble and brush. Gun solvent is a waste of money for this. And NO CLR !

 

[XTR]

pour boiling water thru it and into the sink. add some dish soap, run rod in top of standing barrel, yank it back up creating a suction (tight patch) repeat ten times. pop the drain, dump more boiling water down barrel and outside of it. Let cool a bit, pour strong isoprpyl alcohol down the barrel. swing barrel around your head vigorously like a maddened mall ninja till it is bone dry. run oil patch down bore, wipe outside with light oil.

put your barrel back on your half-stock, after replacing flash-hole or 209 primer system (use grease on threads).

Oh...you were talking about a Bench rest barrel!? and there I was revealing my ML cleaning secrets....

The beauty of Holy Black and non-petroleum based lubes, the fouling is water soluble, don’t even need the soap, it’s even easier. That said, recognized your process in the first line

 

[Rsadams]

What caliber is a wine bottle cork?

I hope you have a sense of humor.

Crap I would say at least 50 Cal...lol.... It will take some shaping for sure.... I know they make silicone corks for cerakote purposes maybe those would be better...

 

[PigButtons]

Crap I would say at least 50 Cal...lol.... It will take some shaping for sure.... I know they make silicone corks for cerakote purposes maybe those would be better...

They may have a bushing die and you can form them down in a couple of steps.