Muzzle Brake Cleaning Made Easy

[Monday shooter40]

After years of scrubbing and using a pick to clean my brakes, I have finally figured it out! I no longer dread cleaning my brake. I bought a small ultra sonic cleaner from Amazon (yes I know, the devils business, but this was a test and I didn’t want to lose several hundred dollars of it didn’t work) This works WAY better than I hoped for.

I pulled the brake off my match rifle last night and put it in a small freezer ziploc with some C4 and let it soak overnight. I filled the ultrasonic cleaner with 50/50 simple green and water. I turned the heat all the way up and let it run for 1 hour.

this thing came out spotless! For reference, this brake has ~ 7,500 rounds on it. (3 dasher barrels)

I know that what I’m doing is not new to a lot of people, but if this even helps one person with the dreaded task of brake scrubbing, then my job here is done.

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[The boogalorian]

Tip: you don’t have to fill the entire tub with solution for small parts. Use a plastic container with the parts and solution and fill the tub with water to conduct the vibration. Saves on cleaning and wasted solution.

 

[ShtrRdy]

That's incredible!

 

[Jerry Snyder]

I use a small mason jar with the lid, fill with your favorite carbon cleaner, leave over night, then just place in my sonic cleaner for several 30 minute cycles. This way, I do not contaminate the water solution in my sonic cleaner. Comes out super clean. I reuse the carbon cleaner in the same jar for a year, then discard and redo.

 

[Chris Edmondson]

Good info, might try this with my dentures

 

[newbieshooter]

The bulletin:

Yes You Need to Clean Muzzle Brakes — Here’s How to Do It « Daily Bulletin

Many hunters and precision rifle competitors use muzzle brakes because these ported devices reduce felt recoil significantly. That make s real difference getting back on target for quick follow-up shots.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Clean Your Muzzle Brakes — Here Are Effective Cleaning Methods « Daily Bulletin

Many hunters and precision rifle competitors use muzzle brakes because these ported devices reduce felt recoil significantly. That makes a real difference getting back on target for quick follow-up shots.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Yes Muzzle Brakes Need Regular Cleaning! « Daily Bulletin

Many hunters and precision rifle competitors use muzzle brakes because these ported devices reduce felt recoil significantly. That make s real difference getting back on target for quick follow-up shots.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

 

[gero]

I ruined the finish on my little bastard (black finish). I used Lyman brass cleaning solution which was in the machine at the time, though it removed the carbon easily, it colored the areas where the carbon was PINK. It also left a few pits in the metal. It must be ok on stainless brakes.

 

[charlie b]

I used the Hornady brass cleaner in mine with some blued parts. Removed all the bluing. They were very clean

 

[ricco1949]

I've been using sonic cleaner on brakes and cans for years.

I float a smaller plastic container with just enough water to cover the brake, can, baffles etc. in the main sonic container water, making sure it stays off the bottom.

1/2 tsp Creme of Tarter (tartaric acid) 1/2 tsp Lemishine (citric acid) and squirt of detergent gets 'em spotless.

 

[LRPV]

For straight SS and brass, Citranox is where it's at when doing ultrasonic. DO NOT use it on melonited stuff, NIB-X, probably blued (never tried it) and go easy on aluminum. Nothing I've tried can touch it on brass or bare SS. No need to soak in anything first either with this stuff.

 

[BHP9]

I cleaned my brake in the ultra sonic cleaner using the Lyman Turbosonic gun parts cleaner. The same cleaner that I use to clean my guns.