Post by: Al Bundy on January 11, 2010, 07:49:24 PM
So, I picked up some Sweets Solvent the other day to run through my rifle. I didn't think it would have a lot of copper fouling, but I thought I see just for *censored*s and giggles.
Anyhow, here's the result:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg684.imageshack.us%2Fimg684%2F7237%2F1007705.jpg&hash=3c00c9701dfaa51307103eeea41df114187a08c2)
I followed the instructions on the bottle. The two patches in the middle on bottom were the first two I pushed through. Seems like it took me quite a few patches as you can see. Is that a lot of fouling?
How often does everyone else clean for copper?
Post by: littlebuf on January 11, 2010, 08:13:00 PM
Post by: washelkhntr on January 11, 2010, 08:13:56 PM
Post by: Al Bundy on January 11, 2010, 08:19:10 PM
Ive never done it. that stuff has always kinda scared me, it can eat your bore if ya don't get it all out. and a little copper fouling isn't a bad thing unless your accuracy starts to fall off. mine ain't broke so I'm not fixing it. maybe I'm wrong tho :dunno:
Yeah, I read that it'll eat your bore too. I used quite a few patches soaked in Hoppes 9 after I used the Sweets, scrubbed her real well, then more Hoppes. I put a light coat of oil in her too. She should be OK.
As far as accuracy, I haven't gotten to the range yet, but the rifling is definitely "crisper" now.
Post by: littlebuf on January 11, 2010, 08:44:43 PM
Post by: chrisb on January 11, 2010, 08:57:43 PM
Post by: Gutpile on January 12, 2010, 07:25:34 AM
I used it my 06 when accuracy fell off and it worked great that old rifle really shoots. I've also used it on my 220 swift. You don't need to use it a lot because in most calibers you won't have a lot of build up right away but if accuracy falls off it really does work good.
Quote
I've always just used some Hoppes or oil on a bore snake. Those things work great.
True but you wont even touch copper fouling with a bore snake. Your kind of comparing apples to oranges.
Post by: Al Bundy on January 12, 2010, 09:02:20 AM
Wow those pics are awesome. I'd say you definately needed to do it. Thats a lot of blue. What caliber was that?
I used it my 06 when accuracy fell off and it worked great that old rifle really shoots. I've also used it on my 220 swift. You don't need to use it a lot because in most calibers you won't have a lot of build up right away but if accuracy falls off it really does work good.
It was my old .35 Remington. She's over a hundred years old and as far as I know, it had never been cleaned for copper. She shot alright before, but it should be much better now. I just need to get to the range.
Kind of on the same subject, has anyone here ever used an electronic bore cleaner?
Post by: chrisb on January 12, 2010, 10:07:54 AM
Quote
I've always just used some Hoppes or oil on a bore snake. Those things work great.
True but you wont even touch copper fouling with a bore snake. Your kind of comparing apples to oranges.
[/quote]
SO how do you know if you've got copper in your barrel? is it based on the ammo you use or the amount of use or what?
Post by: high country on January 12, 2010, 10:23:22 AM
I have one of outers foul out 3's and that thing is amazing...slow as mold, but works like magic.
as stated though, many guns shoot best with a bit of copper fouling. if you are shooting a factory barrel this is probably you. if you are shooting a better makers barrel, you want the copper out.
as throats erode the amount of copper fouling increases....that is just life. if you shoot a gun that holds lots of powder and a little bullet or shoot back to back shots you are in the upper end of the barrel burners club.
Post by: chrisb on January 12, 2010, 10:47:46 AM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on January 12, 2010, 10:54:22 AM
-Steve
Post by: Shootmoore on January 12, 2010, 11:08:31 AM
Shootmoore
Post by: wrangler on January 12, 2010, 11:37:05 AM
Post by: MagKarl on January 12, 2010, 07:09:29 PM
Post by: actionshooter on January 12, 2010, 07:15:40 PM
I clean with copper solvent every time I clean the gun.
Post by: Sporting_Man on January 13, 2010, 10:37:12 AM
I remember also that my accuracy once got affected after about 150-180 rounds of 7mm RemMag, being only cleaned with Hope's during that time. There were about dozen patches that came blue-green, and I had to apply the solvent several times. So, I will not wait for more than 30-40 rounds to clean - in order to prevent unnecessary buildup.
Before using any Copper solvents, I "wash" the powder residues with Hopes Elite, or any other mild cleaner, in order to come to the metallic build ups. Then, I do the same after the Copper solvent is wiped, so that it "washes" the bore again, from the aggressive solvent. Then, there goes the oil at the end. My bores are like mirror.
Also, another thing that works well on copper is foam (shooter's choice makes it, among others), that is odorless and said to be completely harmless to the bore. I tried that one as well, did the job just fine.
Post by: Al Bundy on January 13, 2010, 11:01:55 AM
Also, another thing that works well on copper is foam (shooter's choice makes it, among others), that is odorless and said to be completely harmless to the bore. I tried that one as well, did the job just fine.
I used some Birchwood Casey Foaming Gel Bore Cleaner when I first got the gun. I let it sit in the barrel overnight. All I got was a little blue on a single patch so I thought it was alright. The pic above tells me it didn't do *censored* to clean the copper.
Post by: Sporting_Man on January 13, 2010, 12:32:15 PM
On the other hand, those solvents will discolor and destroy the gun blue finish almost on touch...