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Tank Barrel cleaning?

Lee Whitsel

Silver $$ Contributor
Do tank barrels have rifling? and how often do they clean a tanks barrel and what d0 they use? I was n0t in the military I have n0 clue! So thought I'd ask! My letter 0 n my key b0ard has failed s I I'm sure zer0 to fill in thanks f0r understanding....
 
The original M1 Abrams had the same 105mm rifled cannon ad the M60 series.
We would clean the bore with Hoppes #9 (in 5 gallon cans) with a bronze brush on a segmented pole (cleaning rod). This usually took at least 2 crew members to work the brush. Finally swab out with a rag like a t shirt.
For us in the Cold War who fortunately fired a shot in anger the frequency was after every gunnery exercise. Usually about 40 to 50 rounds
I cannot speak for the 120 Rhiinemetal smoothbore on the A1 and later variants as that was after my time. But I would bet it is quite similar as the basic propellants are the same or similar and they are pretty dirty.

As a point in reference to Mr Schmidt’s comment. The main gun projectiles do not have their own guidance they are all ballistic free flight and fin stabilized. The old M60A2 did however have a short barrel rocket launcher in place of a cannon that I believe was a wire guidance system similar to the TOW system.
 
JPB4BAMA said:
The original M1 Abrams had the same 105mm rifled cannon ad the M60 series.
We would clean the bore with Hoppes #9 (in 5 gallon cans) with a bronze brush on a segmented pole (cleaning rod). This usually took at least 2 crew members to work the brush. Finally swab out with a rag like a t shirt.
For us in the Cold War who fortunately fired a shot in anger the frequency was after every gunnery exercise. Usually about 40 to 50 rounds
I cannot speak for the 120 Rhiinemetal smoothbore on the A1 and later variants as that was after my time. But I would bet it is quite similar as the basic propellants are the same or similar and they are pretty dirty.

As a point in reference to Mr Schmidt’s comment. The main gun projectiles do not have their own guidance they are all ballistic free flight and fin stabilized. The old M60A2 did however have a short barrel rocket launcher in place of a cannon that I believe was a wire guidance system similar to the TOW system.
Click to expand...
Thanks now I Know.....
 
The M256 120 MM tank gun has a chrome lined bore, we pretty much cleaned it the same way as we did on the M68 68A1s 105 mm on the M60 series and early M1 M1IPs. Usually we had a dedicated team (company level, occasionally, the battalion) to pull the ramrod, with a guy in the turret to catch the brush and goo, then chuck the brush out to run it through again. Another team check checked tracks, oil ect. Made it faster than everyone struggling to do everything on their own tank.
 
My Father retired from 25 years Service as Heavy Armor/Main Battle Tanks in 1976. He chose his last Duty Post as Ft. Knox.
He was Ranking NCO (E-7) along with his LT in the Tower for Qualification and Practice for the Tank Crews during his last year.
His LT sent him down to one of the M60A1s on the firing line to meet with the Senior Ground NCO on my Dad’s last day before processing out.
Ground NCO and Dad’s Sargent Major told him give it one last shot!:)
I still have the casing from that 105 round.
Beside it is a base from the 152 MM MGM-51 Shillelagh. These were used on the M60A2 and the M551 Sheridan. On the other side is a base portion (Sans polymer rotating band) from T/P round of 105 MM projectile.

IMG_4805.jpeg
 
M60A3TTS said:
The M256 120 MM tank gun has a chrome lined bore, we pretty much cleaned it the same way as we did on the M68 68A1s 105 mm on the M60 series and early M1 M1IPs. Usually we had a dedicated team (company level, occasionally, the battalion) to pull the ramrod, with a guy in the turret to catch the brush and goo, then chuck the brush out to run it through again. Another team check checked tracks, oil ect. Made it faster than everyone struggling to do everything on their own tank.
Click to expand...
That musta been nice. We were required to do everything on our track short of actual power pack work, but still had to disconnect everything and hook up the sling to the m88. After that mechanics in HQ Co took it till it was time to drop her back in. Somewhere I have a photo of the aftermath of a crew that failed to properly torque one of the final drive connections. Lost a track at about 45 mph on a road march in Germany. Fortunately no casualties on either side, but made a mess of the road. Half a klick later would have gone off a high span bridge and results a lot different!
 
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