Ive been scrubbing away cleaning rifles and trying to remove all the copper fouling. Ive been using Hoppes #9 and Barnes Cr10 solvents and its taking alot of time and effort. Im wondering if anybody has reccomendations on a solvent that would help speed things up.
Whats your favorite solvent?
- Thread starter 7mag
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I went to the KG products. I use KG-1 for carbon/gunpowder residue, then KG-12 to remove copper. Works very well. I don't use their other stuff. The KG-12 tests very well vs the others for copper removal, and does not use ammonia, like Barnes, Sweets 7.62 and some others. So it does not have the attendant issues from ammonia, which can ruin your barrel according to some reports, at least so they say.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I have been using Sweets for probably 30 years and have not seen any damage to the barrels of any of the guns I use it on. Who is "they" ?
CC, you can find reports of barrel damage from solvents containing ammonia, or so the reviewers (they) say. I am not commenting on their veracity as such. I used Barnes CR-10 for years for copper, was always careful to clean it out good and finish with a very light oil patch. It worked well with no damage I know of. Once I saw the studies showing how effective KG-12 is reported to be on removing copper, and it's said lack of damage potential, I went with it. Smells much better too!
That said, I do not clean for copper much at all, especially in my hand lapped custom barrels.
That said, I do not clean for copper much at all, especially in my hand lapped custom barrels.
T43
Active Member
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I probably should have taken more time to answer the question in my last post. I use Hoppes #9 for my everyday cleaner in my smokeless cleaning. I only use Sweets to remove copper fouling about once a year, depends on how much shooting I do.
I have been using Bore Tech Cu+2 Copper Remover for a number of years now and am really satisfied with the results. There is no ammonia in it and has a mild "fruity" smell to it. I do use the Bore Tech jags and brushes to eliminate false indications of copper. The only reason I moved from solvents containing ammonia was because of the smell. I never personally seen a barrel that was damaged by the low concentration of ammonia in available solvents. If you neglect to run a lightly oiled patch down the barrel after cleaning you'll probably have some surface rust over night which is easily removed with an oily patch.
troybackman
Active Member
Mr Drysdale
Active Member
- Mar 24, 2013
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Hoppes first and then Sweets once a year if needed. Used CR 10 for years but had trouble finding it a few years ago and tried the Sweets and am happy with it. I don't leave the Sweets in the barrel over 15 minutes at a time and always finish with another round of Hoppes and then dry and lightly oil. Been working for me for thirty years.
stevevan
Active Member
+2 for Butch's Bore Shine. It's my go to every time solvent. Last patch through is with Rem Oil. Works for me. For extremely powdered barrels I'll use a bit of JB's Bore Paste very sparingly. It's has an abrasive so it's only used when absolutely necessary. I've had friends bring me their rifles after they "wouldn't shoot anymore". A good cleaning session involving JB's usually brings 'em back.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
I've tried them all on my original factory Remington. One shot down the barrel would require almost 2 hours of scrubbing with the fine version of JB Bore paste. Frankly, changing the barrel was the trick but during the learning process I found that Butches was best for carbon and Wipe Out was best for copper. Cr-10, Montana copper cream, and the Montana copper removed were not too bad.
swampokie
Veteran member
Squirrel tail
Member
I use wipeout and Montana extreme and haven't had a problem. I don't know if this has anything to do with it but I did break in my barrel I think that helps since all you are doing is polishing it.
Mule3006Elk
Active Member
- Jul 3, 2013
- 264
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General cleaning: MPro7.
Gun oil: Slip 2000 EWL.
Copper removal: Gunslick Pro Foaming Bore Cleaner. Completely removed ALL copper with one application. VERY impressed.
Gun oil: Slip 2000 EWL.
Copper removal: Gunslick Pro Foaming Bore Cleaner. Completely removed ALL copper with one application. VERY impressed.