In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Cleaning barrels

vette81vette81 Member Posts: 177 ✭✭✭
edited August 2013 in Ask the Experts
How clean is clean. Just bought a used 17 HMR and gave it a good cleaning but the patches still come out a little discolored. I used Hopes #9 and Butches bore shine. Thanks in advance
[:D]

Comments

  • andrewsw16andrewsw16 Member Posts: 10,728 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you can look down a well lighted barrel and you can see nice clean lands and grooves for the full length, you're done. Even a totally clean barrel will still leave some markings on a clean patch because the steel in the barrel is still reacting to the chemicals and the oxygen in the atmosphere. Trust your eyes when you look down the bore. [:D]
  • vette81vette81 Member Posts: 177 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    vette81,

    The only way to tell if clean is clean, is either by a patch coming out clean, or with a good bore scope.

    Keep using the bore shine(or Shooters Choice)...use a saturated brush(not steel, or stainless steel, either), then a saturated patch. Let it soak for 10 minutes, then dry patch. Repeat this, until you get a clean dry patch. Sometimes, repeating this process, and time are the only things that will get a badly abused bore clean.

    Remember to only run the stuff thru from the breech to the muzzle...the rifling is directional.

    Best
  • chiefrchiefr Member Posts: 14,078 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Memories of basic training.

    "I expect to run a patch thru that barrel and it look just like &^%$$ when it comes out or your * is mine"


    I left out most of the expletives. Even the slightest hint of green or blue was on a patch at inspection time the poor soul would have latrine duty until the next inspection.

    Remember running at least 20 patches back & forth for a considerable length of time. Never once cleaned the latrine.
  • bigoutsidebigoutside Member Posts: 19,443
    edited November -1
    With someone else's barrel, I'd get it good and clean at least once.


    I really like the foaming bore cleaners for a deep clean.

    Don't mix brands. Or if you do, make sure they aren't reactive with each other.

    I'm sure you have a properly sized jag. Patches are cheap. Even after a good soak, brush, and enough patches to get a clean one or two; I'd expect to drop an oiled patch down the bore and have to spend another 15 or so to get things clean.

    Knowing I'm going to send a fouling shot down the tube in just a few seconds.

    17 hmr is designed to be accurate. I described what I do for combat handguns.

    If you want to group well on a windless day, spend a nickel on the extra patches.
Sign In or Register to comment.