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Solvent Question
.257roberts
Member Posts: 54 ✭✭
Will it hurt my rifle if I leave Hoppes No.9 Benchrest Copper Solvent in the barrel overnight? Will it do any good? I've been cleaning with it every 5 shots trying to break the barrel in, but I'm still getting alot of copper stain on my patches. Been letting it sit about 10 or 15 minutes with solvent in it. Using a nylon brush with a brass center to apply it. Have shot the gun 65 times since I got it, it's not a custom. Have cleaned it upwards of 20 or 30 times with copper solvent. Will I ever get a clean patch?
Comments
Also, I might leave the solvent in a little longer, 20-30 minutes, but not overnight.
JB Bore Paste and ISP Bore Paste are non-imbedding abrasive cleaners. These are abrasive and will remove material if you aren't careful. Pay close attention to the instructions about NOT dragging the rod and patch back through the barrel and be careful when the brush/patch exits the muzzle. If you 'wallow out' the muzzle, you'll be paying for a new crown. More barrels have been ruined by improper cleaning than any other factor.
Here's an illustrated article:
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/shooting_tips/keep_clean_accuracy/index1.html
These instructions are from Compass Lake Engineering and were written about AR platforms but it applies to all rifles cleaned from the chamber:
NEW BARREL BREAK-IN PROCEDURES
A new barrel will shoot best if careful attention is given to proper break-in. Differing opinions exist, however, we recommend that no more than 20 rounds are fired at the time before cleaning the barrel for the first 60 rounds. Each time the barrel is cleaned for the first 120 rounds, it must be thoroughly cleaned.
Procedure for thorough cleaning: in all cases, it is vital that cleaning tools (brushes, patches, etc.) be pushed from the breech to the muzzle and then removed from the end of the rod at the muzzle end. DO NOT drag anything back through the muzzle.
Clean the bore with a good bore cleaner such as Shooter's Choice. De-copper the bore with Shooter's Choice Copper remover or an equivalent.
Clean the bore with JB Bore Cleaner after 100 rounds as follows:
1. Work the JB into the patch
2. Wrap the patch around a worn bore brush
3. Push through the barrel for about 10 strokes, or when it feels clean - replace the patch after the first 5 strokes
CLEANING AND LUBRICATION
After the barrel is broken in, clean the bore immediately each time after the rifle is fired. De-copper the bore and use JB bore cleaner every 300-400 rounds. Field strip and clean the bolt carrier assembly. Use a patch soaked with bore cleaner to clean the bolt carrier bore and the bolt face and stem. Dry all parts and lubricate bolt locking lugs, gas rings, and bolt stem with CLP and reassemble the bolt carrier, lubricating the cam pin and firing pin with CLP during the process. Clean out the inside of the upper receiver with a paper towel or patch; lubricate the charging handle, support rails of the bolt carrier, and the inside of the bolt carrier key. Reassemble.
Note: The entire cleaning process is much easier by bringing a rod, patches, and bore cleaner to the range with you. As soon as you are finished firing the rifle, break the rifle open, remove the bolt carrier assembly, run a little bore cleaner into the two gas vent holes in the dish on the right side of the bolt carrier. Pump the bolt back and forth a few times to distribute the bore cleaner. This will soften the carbon in the bolt carrier and make it very easy to clean once you get home. I also suggest that you run two patches soaked with bore cleaner through the barrel and allow it to soak until you get home and then do a thorough cleaning job.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1160
Best.
"...have I already totally screwed this barrel up?"
No, of course not!
There are several factors that can contribute to 'stained' patches besides chemical interactions. There are also several types of fouling that can make cleaning a very trying event. My suggestion is to slow down and catch your breath, then walk through a good cleaning procedure that doesn't involve ammonia or products containing ammonia. Use nylon bristol brushes on a bronze core and use a bore guide to protect your chamber.
Do a search for 'Barrel Break-in Procedures' and read the various descriptions of this procedure. They're all about the same with only minor exceptions. I would get a good fouling remover such as Wipeout:
http://www.paulcousa.com/patchout.htm
OR:
http://www.boretech.com/bore_solvent.htm
There are others, search for 'foaming bore cleaners'.
Once the fouling is gone for sure, get after the copper. Remember, there may be a layer of fouling, a layer of copper, a layer of fouling, a layer of copper... depending on the powder and bullet jackets.
Inspect your bore as best you can. Maybe check with your local gunsmith to ask if he will help you use a borescope to get a really good look at the inside of the barrel.
Once you've established that the barrel is clean, use the bore paste on a patch as described earlier, to smooth out the bore of the barrel. Pay close attention to the muzzle and the throat since this is where the most damage can be done by poor techniques. Carefully clean your rod and continue to use fresh patches with fresh paste.
When your barrel has been smoothed out, start the break in procedure again.
There are books written on this subject and there are a multitude of opinions regarding the proper set of procedures used to break in and clean barrels. We have gone over this a hundred times here on the GB forums and there is information by the ton by using the search feature here. Choose the process that works for you and check to see that it works.
Best.
I think you're handling it just fine!
There is a lot to learn and lots of variations to the all the things that are important. None of us were born with all this information, it took a long time to accumulate it by asking others and doing a lot of reading and most importantly, shooting, experimenting and cleaning.
Talk to your gunsmith then come on back ask some more questions. Write yourself out a 'cheat sheet' and tack it up by your cleaning area so you don't forget an important step. Keep your tools clean and don't pull your brushes back through the bore.
Best.