Savage 99 cleaning ?

[rebs]

My grandfather passed his Savage 99 to my father who passed it on to me. It is in excellent condition; the wood is beautiful and all the bluing is perfect. This rifle has taken a lot of deer and black bear up in Pembroke Ontario Canada where my grandfather lived and my father was raised on a huge farm. When I was a young kid I remember my father using a leather boot lace with a slot cut in it to clean it with patches. It has never had a brush or rod used on it.

I put my borescope down the barrel and there is carbon and copper in it. How would you guys go about cleaning it out? I don't want to do any damage to the bore. According to the seriel number it was made in 1948

 

[LHSmith]

Mine is 108 years old (1915) and good chance it was rarely cleaned. I just cleaned it from the muzzle with the same regimine for a bolt action being mindful about rubbing the rod against the crown. I stuffed a rag at the magazine to catch dirt and solvent. It's a hunting rifle so I don't expect one hole groups, but still will shoot 3/4" @ 50 yards with a factory iron sights and my compromised vision. It is a 250/3000.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Maybe not the best solution but how about a Hoppes bore snake.
Pull it through a couple of times and take a look.

 

[rockhound78]

I use foaming bore cleaner in mine and when ready, take a 1/16" brass welding rod and push a few patched down the bore, from the chamber to the muzzle, then bore snake if needed (not yet)

 

[Boondox]

Cork the muzzle end and fill the barrel and chamber with seafoam deep creep. Let it sit straight up and down on the corked end for 3 or 4 hours and drain it. Take a stainless or bronze brush up and down the bore 2 or 3 times then dry patch it. Spray more deep creep in it, run brush through 3 or 4 times, dry patch again. Do that till your dry patch comes out clean.

 

[Prose]

I would say a foaming bore cleaner would be the best way of getting out deep copper and powder fouling without the use of any abrasives or rods. May have to do 2-3 overnights, but foaming cleaners will get them 100% clean.

 

[Boondox]

I would say a foaming bore cleaner would be the best way of getting out deep copper and powder fouling without the use of any abrasives or rods. May have to do 2-3 overnights, but foaming cleaners will get them 100% clean.

That's why I said deep creep it's the best gun lube, cleaner, copper, lead, plastic, fouling remover I've ever used. A stainless or bronze brush won't hurt your bore whatsoever no matter how much you scrub it. We send literal balls of fire and scorching hot projectiles down the tube; the barrel ain't gonna care about a brush.

 

[Prose]

That's why I said deep creep it's the best gun lube, cleaner, copper, lead, plastic, fouling remover I've ever used. A stainless or bronze brush won't hurt your bore whatsoever no matter how much you scrub it. We send literal balls of fire and scorching hot projectiles down the tube; the barrel ain't gonna care about a brush.

I also love deep creep and their top engine cleaner and lube, but the guy seemed particular about not using a rod or brass brush.

I have not tested deep creep on copper fouling. I do not believe it has anything it it that would soften or dissolve copper. Perhaps it creeps so deeply it would go under it to loosen it. Not sure.

 

[Boondox]

I also love deep creep and their top engine cleaner and lube, but the guy seemed particular about not using a rod or brass brush.

I have not tested deep creep on copper fouling. I do not believe it has anything it it that would soften or dissolve copper. Perhaps it creeps so deeply it would go under it to loosen it. Not sure.

It definitely does loosen it up and gets it out with the method I mentioned. I'm a gunsmith and my least favorite jobs are cleaning jobs. I've tried everything under the sun and deep creep is by far the best for every aspect from lube to removing every bit of crud and fouling

 

[paul castelli]

Plug the muzzle with a pencil eraser or something, (you do not mention caliber?) prop it vertical, fill bore with solvent you have on hand for a couple days, drain then carefully run a patch and check results. Repeat until good. I like and use the seafoam but on copper I have doubts, Butches bore shine I have no doubts.

 

[centershot]

No barrel manufacturer will recommend a stainless brush.

 

[LHSmith]

My grandfather passed his Savage 99 to my father who passed it on to me. It is in excellent condition; the wood is beautiful and all the bluing is perfect. This rifle has taken a lot of deer and black bear up in Pembroke Ontario Canada where my grandfather lived and my father was raised on a huge farm. When I was a young kid I remember my father using a leather boot lace with a slot cut in it to clean it with patches. It has never had a brush or rod used on it.

I put my borescope down the barrel and there is carbon and copper in it. How would you guys go about cleaning it out? I don't want to do any damage to the bore. According to the seriel number it was made in 1948

So, apparently it's a prized family heirloom in great condition. As such I'd lean towards minimal cleaning, and avoid immersing the barrel in ANY bore cleaner for ANY length of time. You stand the chance of ruining it's value as I have seen rifles ruined by improper cleaning. Some treatments could affect your perfect bluing.

 

[rebs]

So, apparently it's a prized family heirloom in great condition. As such I'd lean towards minimal cleaning, and avoid immersing the barrel in ANY bore cleaner for ANY length of time. You stand the chance of ruining it's value as I have seen rifles ruined by improper cleaning. Some treatments could affect your perfect bluing.

Thank you for the advice, its appreciated

 

[kujuak]

If you use Foaming Bore Cleaner be very careful to not get any on the stock, it will ruin the old finish ( at least Wipeout brand does). I found out the hard way to spare you the experience

 

[wboggs]

You could have a gunsmith disassemble and clean it from the breach end using conventional materials.

 

[Dkk37058]

I’ll never run a stainless brush in my barrels