Rifle cleaning question - keep copper in?

[gringogigante]

I recently saw a show with some Green Beret snipers that were talking about how they only cleaned their rifle bores by running several patches through them but not cleaning the copper fowling.

He said that when he left the copper in, his shots were more accurate.

He started from a totally clean gun. Then after 20-30 shots he cleaned it with 5-10 patches only (not scrubbing out the copper fowling) as this made the gun more accurate. Not sure how or why this happens, so I thought I'd bring it to the pros.

How do you clean your hunting rifle?

Chris

 

[RetArmySgt]

It makes it more consistent. From a completely clean barrel the POI when change as the fouling builds up. If its already there it doesn't change it as much.
Just like a "cold bore" shot is going to hit different than a say the 5th or 6th shot after the barrel warms up.

 

[Younggun]

All I use is oil and a patch to remove any powder residue and whatnot.


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[Mic]

So would the copper never get cleaned out, or just infrequently.

 

[RetArmySgt]

Infrequently, if you leave it there forever it will eventually start to corrode the barrel.

 

[RetArmySgt]

I use a copper solvent every 1000rds or once a year which ever comes first (usually the 1000rds lol). I do know people that will do a complete clean of the barrel every 5 rounds or so too so its really your preference that matters.

 

[M. Sage]

I clean the barrel when I notice that accuracy is starting to drop off. Then I use a foaming bore cleaner.

 

[deemus]

Sage, what do you use?

 

[ROGER4314]

Scrub all you want and you won't remove copper fouling. Elbow grease won't take it out. The chemicals in Butch's Bore Shine and other quality products are designed to remove copper but you need to use it correctly. Use patches soaked in solvent and perhaps a few passes to remove the crud, dirt, powder etc. Then use a wet patch in Butch's or other appropriate solvent and let it sit for 1-2 hours. Come back and hit it again the same way as often as necessary. When my 17HMR rifles were new, it took THREE DAYS to remove the fouling. Let the color of the patches guide you. If the patch comes out green, there's still copper in the bore.

If you want to see a rifle where accuracy is absolutely destroyed by copper fouling, the 17HMR is it. I see posts about accuracy degrading on those rifles constantly. Must be a worn out barrel, huh? NO.....it's copper fouled! After the barrel gets some rounds down the tube, such cleaning is seldom needed.

After using Butch's or other solvent, there won't be a trace of oil in the bore. The last patch should be soaked with Hoppes or other solvent to prevent rust.

Flash

 

[deemus]

Deja vu. I remember a similar thread recently.

 

[M. Sage]

Sage, what do you use?

I think it's the CLP stuff. Seems to work pretty well, turns blue when the barrel's good and dirty.

 

[scap99]

I recently saw a show with some Green Beret snipers that were talking about how they only cleaned their rifle bores by running several patches through them but not cleaning the copper fowling.

He said that when he left the copper in, his shots were more accurate.

He started from a totally clean gun. Then after 20-30 shots he cleaned it with 5-10 patches only (not scrubbing out the copper fowling) as this made the gun more accurate. Not sure how or why this happens, so I thought I'd bring it to the pros.

How do you clean your hunting rifle?

Chris

I don't clean my barrel. Bolt gets a wipe down and some lube when it feels like it needs it.
When accuracy drops off, I'll clean the barrel then.

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk 2

 

[grasshopperglock]

I don't clean my barrel. Bolt gets a wipe down and some lube when it feels like it needs it.
When accuracy drops off, I'll clean the barrel then.

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk 2

Same here.

I boresnake mine when the groups open up. Maybe pull a brush through it.

But I do watch the bore. If I see it getting a build up. Then I strip it. I usually wait for a winter day to do that. When I can't go outside. Gives me something to do. I go through every rifle Ive shot that summer.

And any rifle Ive cleaned...gets a few rounds to dirty it up when I take it back out.

 

[shortround]

Every barrel is different and cleaning methods vary too much to call one better than others.

Most mass-produced barrels have lots of machine marks and associated scratches.

For a brand new barrel, I would take some time and clean it thoroughly with a bore-paste and some lapping compound. Then run a bunch of patches soaked in Hoppes' No. 9 through the bore.

Most fouling adheres (sticks) to the imperfections in the lands and grooves of the barrel.

A good and inexpensive test for copper fouling is:

1. Thoroughly clean the bore with a bronze brush and patches.

2. Run a wet patch of bore cleaner through the bore and let the firearm rest horizontally overnight.

3. Run a dry patch through the bore the next morning.

4. If the patch is clean, you are good to go. If it comes out green, you have copper fouling.

5. Montana X-Treme Copper Killer is the next step. Be sure to do this in a well ventilated area, that stuff will knock you on your a$$ in a confined area.

 

[Dawico]

I just lightly patch mine with Hoppe's #9 until accuracy drops. Then it gets a good foam and scrub.

 

[deemus]

Used the info in this thread on several of my rifles tonight. Two had really bad copper fouling. My mini 14 has been very inaccurate. Im hoping this fixes it. Weird to see the blue on the patches.