Tips for cleaning neglected 22LR?

[257Roberts]

I've sort of "inherited" a Sears Roebuck 43-103 from a friend. Doesnt appear to have ever been cleaned, and for that matter doesnt appear to have been handled at all in maybe 20+ years.

I've currently got the barrel soaking in Hoppes No.9, but what rifling is present sure don't look like much...

Wondering what folks recommend for scrubbing up old rimfire barrels?

 

[snert]

Rimfire blend or lead out. Brass brush and soak it. Or, if you really want to go esoteric, find an old outers Lead out (electric current rod that sucked the lead off)

 

[redrockranger]

I'd start with good soaking with Kroil and let it set. Then any method you think will finish the job.

 

[55fairlane]

Take a foam ear plug shove I end of barrel, fill with Kroll, let sit a few days to a week, pull a "bore snake " thru it (several times) reinstall ear plug, bore cleaning solution, keep alternating and it will come clean

 

[1911nut]

That stuff perfectly cleaned a severely lead fouled pistol barrel. I’m not a fan of Remington Thunderbolts.. ….

 

[tominboise]

It's likely a matrix of layers of lead, powder fouling and maybe copper if jacketed bullets were used. I am fighting getting an old Remington clean that was in similar condition. I soak in kroil, then wet brush 10-20 strokes, dry patch, then soak in C4, wet brush, dry patch, repeat etc, etc, etc. It's a PITA. Everytime I see someone type that "cleaning has ruined more 22's than leaving them alone" or "no need to clean until accuracy goes away", I shake my head.

 

[Tim Slater]

Elbow grease. Some solvents may work a little faster, but really you need persistence and patience. Personally I'd use a rod if possible, as a boresnake will be pretty nasty after going going through a soaked bore. I'd also have several bronze brushes, as the wires may get beaten up rather quickly.

 

[tmwinds]

If lead buildup is the problem I would use ChoreBoy pure copper pot scrubber.
After soaking the barrel with solvent wrap strands of the copper pad around a well worn brush. Brush vigorously back and forth. The copper strands will scrape the lead away without damaging the barrel. Repeat if necessary. Then complete cleaning as normal.

 

[Boatninja]

A few years ago I was given an old an old Sako .22 that had been under seawater for a few hours and afterwards wasn't discovered until it was a rusty mess. Apparently the bore was lead lined and it cleaned up well with Wipeout Leadout. Being shot a lot in its earlier life without much care was a gift in this case. Exterior was improved with a few overnight soakings with Kroil and then bronze wool light scrubbing.
The old gun is surprisingly accurate and well worth the effort.

 

[rebs]

It's likely a matrix of layers of lead, powder fouling and maybe copper if jacketed bullets were used. I am fighting getting an old Remington clean that was in similar condition. I soak in kroil, then wet brush 10-20 strokes, dry patch, then soak in C4, wet brush, dry patch, repeat etc, etc, etc. It's a PITA. Everytime I see someone type that "cleaning has ruined more 22's than leaving them alone" or "no need to clean until accuracy goes away", I shake my head.

How long do you let it soak in Kroil and how long in C4 ? Nylon or bronze brush ?

 

[tominboise]

How long do you let it soak in Kroil and how long in C4 ? Nylon or bronze brush ?

I always use a bronze brush. I will let kroil soak anywhere from a couple hours to overnight. The chemicals work better if they have a little time. Usually, I will wet patch with C4, wet brush with C4 (10-20 passes, then dry patch). Then run a kroil patch through it. I'll do the routine in the morning, let it soak, hit it again in the evening, etc

 

[doclu60]

Key words in the replies here are....Kroil....Bore Tech C4....bronze brushes....NO bore snakes.....and time.

Scott

 

[243Lapua]

KG Bore Polish. Works for me.

 

[darkangel_r2]

Before you do anything aggressive to the bore do this.

Shoot it.

 

[DGP4]

Plug the barrel and shoot it full of Free All. Let it sit for a couple of days and after draining, go to town with a bronze brush. Whatever remains, if anything, will come out with Bore Tech C4 Carbon Remover.

 

[COLT45SA]

"Kreen" will do a better job on the carbon than Kroil~!

 

[diyj98]

In the old days we'd use mercury to remove heavy leading. Plug the bore, fill it with mercury and give it a few days. It's the accepted (safe) way to do it now though.

 

[1Merlin]

Mercury is bad JuJu. Get around it to much and all your babies will be born naked...

 

[zeke06]

I’ll probably get some mixed feedback on this but it will push literal streaks of lead out of a neglected bore.
Wrap some 0000 steel wool wrapped around a brush and push it down the bore. After a couple times scrub with a brush and bore cleaner and finish off with patches.
I wouldn’t hesitate to do this to grandpas ol 22 but I would NOT recommend it on a premium barrel.
An ultrasonic cleaning works wonders on lead as well.

 

[Emmett Dibble]

View attachment 1296198
That stuff perfectly cleaned a severely lead fouled pistol barrel. I’m not a fan of Remington Thunderbolts.. ….

I was given a really nice Marlin 1894 24” 357 recently. I have NEVER seen so much lead in a barrel. I tried ALL the methods listed here and then some…. (with a borescope) all any of them did is seem to “polish” the lead, it was still pretty much a continuous layer from the leade to almost the muzzle. Finally broke down and ordered this stuff. WOW. Took out half on the first application. A couple more applications did the rest. Not crazy about the flash rust it makes happen on the bare steel but it does soften/resolve the lead.

100% recommend.