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Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
I've been using this Wipe Out stuff but this applies to anything like Hoppes 9 or anything really as I've used it a very little. Anyway, how much should you use? I've been getting the whole patch wet and running it through. Then doing a dry patch. My 30-06 even if you only shoot it 15 or 20 times takes forever to get completely clean. I mean over and over and over. I've used a ton of patches and it seems like I'm emptying the the bottle. During cleaning 3 guns it's not uncommon for me to use more than half the bottle. It gets it clean but it uses a lot of patches and a lot of the cleaning solution. I'd guess it's about a 12oz bottle but it doesn't say so I'm not sure. Might be 9oz or so. Not sure. Anyway, when I went back to get more after a month or two the guy acted like I was crazy for needing more. I'd used 2 bottles at that time. He acts like I shouldn't be using much at all. Am I using too much? I figure the whole patch needs to be wet or does it only need to be a drop? If it's a drop it seems like part of the patch running through the barrel would just be dry. I'm doing this over and over again. Sometimes I will do it several times in a row or sometimes I will do it then run a dry patch then this then a dry patch like that. Towards getting it fairly clean I run one of these then a dry patch over and over until both are spotless. I've got them to where they barely have any black on them but being the perfectionist I am I usually keep going until it's completely clean.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
When I clean my guns I use a slightly wet patch. Not like a drop but not completely soaked. I put the solution around the edges so when the patch folds back, the solution gets wiped on all of the barrel.
After that one I use a few dry ones. Then I repeat that process enough so when the patches go all the way through, they look almost new. I don't think you need to use that much liquid stuff for cleaning your gun. That's just my way of doing it. |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Since I'm testing out Hoppes 9 since I haven't used it much how long do you guys let it sit in the barrel? As in run a wet patch through how long do you wait before you run a dry patch through? Does cleaning guns need to be a several day process or can it just be a several hour process?
Seems like the Hoppes 9 is bringing out some black stuff on the patches where as it was coming out clean with the Wipe Out. I'm not sure if it's because I put a brush in the chamber to clean it slightly and it loosend up some or if it's just getting more stuff out. |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Using the proper chemicals,patches and rod,cleaning a barrel is a several minute procedure.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Do you guys use the copper brushes & then the patches?
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
I send through a patch with solvent and wait 5 min.Then Idip my brush in the solvent and sent that through4-6 times. Then I sent through a dry patch and repeat this process until the patches are not discolored. I recently bought a gun that was very fouled. I had to take Hoppes Benchrest and let it sit overnightas it had alot of copper build up.She's now clean but it took some doing.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
I rarely use brushes at all.With regular cleaning,I don't normally find them necessary.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
I had been using the wipe out brushless cleaner. Since using Hoppe's 9 I decided to use a brush. Anyway, I thought I had the barrels pretty clean now as they were coming out clean. I sprayed hoppes 9 on the brush then ran it through the barrel 5 or 6 times. Then I got a patch wet and ran it through the barrel. The first two or so were coming out really dirty. After 3 patches or so it started coming out clean again and appears clean. However, if I take the brush and run it through a few more times then put a patch through it the patch is pretty dirty again. Is the brush keep knocking more dirt loose? Do I keep doing this until it comes out clean even after brushing it or do I only brush it a few times then just run patches through until they come out clean? It just seems like after using the brush the patches are dirty afterwards no matter how many times I seem to be doing it. So do I keep doing it or do I just run the brush through and then run patches until they are clean then stop?
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
It just seems like after using the brush the patches are dirty afterwards no matter how many times I seem to be doing it. So do I keep doing it or do I just run the brush through and then run patches until they are clean then stop? |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
ORIGINAL: stubblejumper It just seems like after using the brush the patches are dirty afterwards no matter how many times I seem to be doing it. So do I keep doing it or do I just run the brush through and then run patches until they are clean then stop? On my other gun it's the same thing however, It's taking several patches after the brush to get it looking clean. I'm not sure that it's fully clean yet. I'm going to go back to it in a minute but it's mostly clean. Just the slightest bit on a patch. However if I run the brush through the next couple patches mainly the first come out looking horrible like the gun is super dirty. After that it's just a very small pieces of dirt on the patch. Hard to see unless you hold it in the light. So are these things clean? Should I stop using the brush? I've probably brushed them 5 times or more doing the brush about 5 times each time. Is this good enough? So after brushing it a few times should I just keep doing patches until they come out clean and then not worry about it? |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Unless you can see copper in the bore,or your patches won't come out clean,I don't even use a brush.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
ORIGINAL: stubblejumper It is most likely that your brush is putting more residue back into the barrel after you have cleaned it.Once the patches are clean,don't use a brush. |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
if your gonna use a brush, use nylon brushes. I can't see putting metal brushes down my barrel. IN fact, i have stopped using them all together. I usually dunk a patch in the cleaning solution and then squeeze it so it's not dripping wet. Run it down the barrel and then out. Wait 5 minutes and use dry patches to clean it. I do this twice and i am good.
Then i run a lighty oiled patch down the barrel and then a dry patch after that. Done!. |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
I feel proper barrel break-in goes a long wayin helping a barrel to clean up quickly.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
In my younger days I didn't know better and used the Hoppes cleaning kit with the bronze brushes,3pc screw together rod,etc.Most definitely a mistake!Only nylon brushes should be used-never metal along with a synthetic 1pc rod.Metal rods and brushes can ruin the bore.As far as cleaning solutions go be sure it works on copper or it will build up over time and accuracy will drop off.It's easier to get all the crud out if you let it soak over night.Good luck!
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
While I think nylon brush is probably a happy middle ground. I do not believe that a standard brush will damage the barrel. At least not before it's shot out.
Tom |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Yes, proper break-in will help reduce clean-up time and will also help accuracy.
Go to the Badger Barrel site for a good explanation of proper break-in. |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Ok one thing I now know that I did wrong was that I didn't allow the brush to spin in the bore. I held onto the rod when I pushed it some not the handle which spins. I was told the brush should spin with the rifling. However, since I didn't allow that am I going to risk any damage?
I was told by a gunsmith not to use brushes but it seemed like it got soo much more stuff out than not using one. I'm hoping I didn't damage anything. I may just go back to not using them. |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
You didn't damage anything. The barrel is made of steel.
Tom |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Ok thanks. So even though I did probably 60 or more strokes on each barrel it should still be fine? I may just go back to not using brushes.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
ORIGINAL: statjunk You didn't damage anything. The barrel is made of steel. Tom |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
ORIGINAL: hometheaterman Ok one thing I now know that I did wrong was that I didn't allow the brush to spin in the bore. I held onto the rod when I pushed it some not the handle which spins. I was told the brush should spin with the rifling. However, since I didn't allow that am I going to risk any damage? I was told by a gunsmith not to use brushes but it seemed like it got soo much more stuff out than not using one. I'm hoping I didn't damage anything. I may just go back to not using them. If you want to really clean a 22 boreI suggest useingwhat I do. Butches Bore Shine. Soak a patch and swab and scrub and let it soak. Then repeat over and over if really bad.A nylon brush is useless on bedded copperand even lead. Use a good copper brush(NOT STEEL) the copper will not damage your barrel at all, but Steel(turbo) brushes can if use incorrectly(push through ONLY DO NOT REVERSE AND OR SCRUB WITH one of these)ALWAYSUSE a spinning handle rod(Dewey is one of the best out there) and push all the way through the barrel before reversing it. If you are still useing any portion or part of a HOPPES type kit, get RID of it PERIOD!!! I'm just giving the knowledge of 30+ years of experience and learning. If you don't want to believe and or understand what happens useing aluminum rods and hoppes type cleaners then I can't help or convience you otherwise and I won't even try? Been there done that is all I can say? High power rifles can be alittle more problem because of some of the new MOLY-COATED bullets. I strongly suggest not useing them, but some like them? I personally have found other alternatives that don't leave a bad taste in your rifle barrel. Moly is theworst material made to try toremove COMPLETELY and that is the key. Now since we are on the subject Shotgun and Muzzleloader Sabots need a specific plastic dissolver and there are several out there and most work well. They are essential in keeping a rifled shotgun and or muzzleloader in top accuracy (correct spin) when cleaning. I hope this has helped you in your question. Again I'm just offering my experiences throughout the years. Please no arguments needed. Opinions are always welcome though. Good luck Mike |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Thanks. The brushes are from an Outers cleaning kit. They say they are Phosphor Bronze Brushes. Are those okay to use? I've heard not to use steel ones.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
ORIGINAL: RugerMike ORIGINAL: hometheaterman Ok one thing I now know that I did wrong was that I didn't allow the brush to spin in the bore. I held onto the rod when I pushed it some not the handle which spins. I was told the brush should spin with the rifling. However, since I didn't allow that am I going to risk any damage? I was told by a gunsmith not to use brushes but it seemed like it got soo much more stuff out than not using one. I'm hoping I didn't damage anything. I may just go back to not using them. If you want to really clean a 22 boreI suggest useingwhat I do. Butches Bore Shine. Soak a patch and swab and scrub and let it soak. Then repeat over and over if really bad.A nylon brush is useless on bedded copperand even lead. Use a good copper brush(NOT STEEL) the copper will not damage your barrel at all, but Steel(turbo) brushes can if use incorrectly(push through ONLY DO NOT REVERSE AND OR SCRUB WITH one of these)ALWAYSUSE a spinning handle rod(Dewey is one of the best out there) and push all the way through the barrel before reversing it. If you are still useing any portion or part of a HOPPES type kit, get RID of it PERIOD!!! I'm just giving the knowledge of 30+ years of experience and learning. If you don't want to believe and or understand what happens useing aluminum rods and hoppes type cleaners then I can't help or convience you otherwise and I won't even try? Been there done that is all I can say? High power rifles can be alittle more problem because of some of the new MOLY-COATED bullets. I strongly suggest not useing them, but some like them? I personally have found other alternatives that don't leave a bad taste in your rifle barrel. Moly is theworst material made to try toremove COMPLETELY and that is the key. Now since we are on the subject Shotgun and Muzzleloader Sabots need a specific plastic dissolver and there are several out there and most work well. They are essential in keeping a rifled shotgun and or muzzleloader in top accuracy (correct spin) when cleaning. I hope this has helped you in your question. Again I'm just offering my experiences throughout the years. Please no arguments needed. Opinions are always welcome though. Good luck Mike Also what's the best way to keep the rod from hitting the crown of the muzzle? I'm trying to hold it from doing it but sometimes it's hard. Especially on the .22. Some of the coatin is coming off of my Deweys rod due from it hitting on the .22 mostly but maybe a little on the other rifles. So far I don't think I've damaged them from it hitting but want to make sure I dont. They don't look messed up and the .22 still is incredibly accurate and I'd like to keep it this way while still keeping a clean gun. |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Bronze brushes are perfectly fine for rifle bores. The military has been using them for decades and we aren't seeing any accuracy problems. Especially when you can put 10 rounds in a man sized target from 500 yards with iron sights.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
I'm always entertained by the whole cleaning debate. I will say a few things from my limited experience. I clean after every shooting session no matter how many or how few shots I fire. I dip a bronze brush inbore solvent, doesn't matter whatbrand to me,and run it through the bore once. I run a patch through the bore soaked inthesolvent once. I run a lightly oiled patch down the bore once. I run a dry patch down the bore once. I then clean and lightly oil the action and exterior of the gun and wipe off everything with a dry patch or rag at the end. Whole thing takes me 5 minutes. I don't worry about what color my patches are. The point of cleaning is to make sure the bore stays clean enough to perform well, inhibit rust, and make sure the action functions properly. You should ask yourself are my groups at the range deteriorating, is my gun rusting, andis my action failing to work properly. If the answers to these three questions are no, no, and no then your cleaning procedure is working. Stop basing it on what color your patches are coming out.
A few other tidbits, may have already been mentioned. Bronze is a copper alloy so patches after the brush will usually come out with a little blue-green hue. So what. And why would anyone think that careful use of a bronze brush would damage a bore but a copper bullet at 3000 fps won't  . Unless you have major copper or lead fowling you don't need to do anything major to clean your bore. I have never had a problem with it in any of my guns. |
RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Good post. The patch is a reflection of your bore. I will run several patches throughuntil they come out white. IMO if you stop when there gray there is fouling in that pipe. Is it the end of the world - no. Will you still hold groups - most likely yes. I am just a bit anal when it comes to the cleaning process and results. I like tinkering so it is a labor of love. Running the patch post brush cleaing can give you a false reading on the patch due to the residue on the brush.
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RE: Am I cleaning my guns correctly?
Just a word of caution about using copper remover solvents......read the directions carefully. Some copper removers, such as Sweet's 7.62 and Shooter's Choice, to name a couple, warn you about leaving the solvent in the barrel too long. They give time frames right on the bottle. Follow them. This certainly does not mean to stay away from them, it just means they are specialized products and need to be handled accordingly. Both do a great job.
Pesonally, I've found Butch's Boreshine to be top-of-the-line for gun barrel maintenance. Both in the break-in period, and for routine cleaning. Almost everyone has their own "pet" products they use, but I've found Butch's to be the one I like the best. JMHO.......... |
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