Gun cleaning behind all copper ammo

[Rickmt]

Please tell me if Butch’s Bore Shine to clean my rifle after Barnes TSX bullets? I am very happy with how my 30.06. And my 270 soots these bullets but am not sure how to clean afterwards. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[TMac]

It’s a good all around cleaner. But not my choice for copper removal.

If you are targeting copper specifically, every test I’ve seen ranks KG-12 as the top copper remover. As a bonus it does not stink or harm metal like ammonia based solvents can. I switched to it 4-5 years ago and it’s all I’ll use for a copper cleaning, and I shoot a lot of Barnes X bullets in my rifles, some rifles need copper cleaned out after 10-15 rounds, some go on accurately until I feel like I just need to, 150-200 rounds.

 

[Royal27]

Bore Tech Eliminator is another one worth looking at.

 

[Red Leg]

This goes against the grain of those who obsess over copper fouling, but I do not sweat it. I should add that I have shot the TSX family a lot over the last decade plus in several calibers. I run a couple of patches of ballistol through the barrel once every few months (or year) as the spirit moves me. In fact, for a typically well made barrel, I think of copper as a bit like a last finishing filler of any manufacturing flaws.

Many here will relate experiences where copper fouling was detrimental to the accuracy of their rifles. I do not question their experiences. I will simply say those experiences have not been mine.

 

[ALbowhunter]

+1 on Bore Tech products. I use the Carbon Remover and the CU2. It cleans fast and no smell.

 

[shootist~]

+2 On Bore Tech. Simple, easy, non corrosive to your barrel.

 

[sestoppelman]

Another nod for Bore Tech Eliminator. Nice thing about it is no ammonia and it cuts jacket fouling faster than Sweets or Barnes, both of which have lots of ammonia.

 

[mark-hunter]

Question:
Bore Tech eliminator I never used.

Do you guys use it for every cleaning, or after every shooting, or just when copper fouling accumulates (once in the season, or so)

When gun is cleaned with Bore tech eliminator, is there any temporary change in group size, or point of impact?

 

[sestoppelman]

I only use it when No 9 wont clean it out. Some bores foul more than others, some I use it on after every shoot, but unlike ammonia cleaners you don't have to worry about it.
As far as POI changes or group size, not that I have seen. Since much of my shooting is load development I like to start clean as a control.

 

[bruce moulds]

over the years i have tried many copper solvents.
from using sweets i tried butch's bore shine, and it was useless.
the first effective product after sweets was kg12, and it was quite good.
after some years of that i tried pro shot copper remover, and it was far better, in fact the best of all tried.
i like it quickness particularly when running in barrels as it saves time.
kg carbon remover seems about like boretech carbon remover.
never leave boretech products in a barrel or you will end up with one like my broughton 6.5 super lr barrel - black inside.
when all cleaning is done, hoppes no 9 always seems to be able to pull something else out, and protects the bore as well.
bruce.

 

[shootist~]

I pretty much use Bore Tech "Eliminator" for every cleaning. I don't clean after every range session. Following their instructions works very well.

I then flush out the bore and clean the chamber with KG3 or similar and then oil / dry patch as I've always done.

 

[mdwest]

This goes against the grain of those who obsess over copper fouling, but I do not sweat it.

Im in the same camp..

I shoot several hundred rounds through my primary hunting rifles every year.. and with the exception of my 7x57, I pretty much exclusively shoot barnes TSX and TTSX..

I sometimes give my rifles a light wipe down after a hard day of use.. but thats exterior, and maybe a light cleaning of the bolt, rails, etc.. and a drop of oil on those same spots.. but thats maybe 3-4 times a year tops..

I generally dont touch the bore or the inside of the barrel but once a year.. and thats at the end of hunting season when Im getting ready to put them away for a few months and/or rescind them to only range duty..

But if I am honest.. even then they dont get a heavy scrubbing... typically I run a brush treated with oil through a couple of times, followed by patches until they start coming out mostly clean (I dont obsess over getting every possible speck of carbon and copper out of the gun).. and then I'm done..

 

[Red Leg]

Im in the same camp..

I shoot several hundred rounds through my primary hunting rifles every year.. and with the exception of my 7x57, I pretty much exclusively shoot barnes TSX and TTSX..

I sometimes give my rifles a light wipe down after a hard day of use.. but thats exterior, and maybe a light cleaning of the bolt, rails, etc.. and a drop of oil on those same spots.. but thats maybe 3-4 times a year tops..

I generally dont touch the bore or the inside of the barrel but once a year.. and thats at the end of hunting season when Im getting ready to put them away for a few months and/or rescind them to only range duty..

But if I am honest.. even then they dont get a heavy scrubbing... typically I run a brush treated with oil through a couple of times, followed by patches until they start coming out mostly clean (I dont obsess over getting every possible speck of carbon and copper out of the gun).. and then I'm done..

 

[Rickmt]

Thanx to all for your great responses! Lots of variety in cleaning our guns.
I will use Butch’s Bore shine and then follow with kg-12 per directions.
How do you know you have a copper fouling problem? Thanx to everybody again!!!

 

[sestoppelman]

over the years i have tried many copper solvents.
from using sweets i tried butch's bore shine, and it was useless.
the first effective product after sweets was kg12, and it was quite good.
after some years of that i tried pro shot copper remover, and it was far better, in fact the best of all tried.
i like it quickness particularly when running in barrels as it saves time.
kg carbon remover seems about like boretech carbon remover.
never leave boretech products in a barrel or you will end up with one like my broughton 6.5 super lr barrel - black inside.
when all cleaning is done, hoppes no 9 always seems to be able to pull something else out, and protects the bore as well.
bruce.

I leave Bore Tech in for long periods of time, never had an issue. In fact they recommend leaving in a small amount.

 

[shootist~]

Just as an FYI, Bore Tech is an all purpose solvent / bore cleaner - not just for copper. It replaced several items on my bench.

 

[Rickmt]

Shootist you must have read my mind as I was looking at the website . I also see that I need nylon brushes for my various calibers. I am used to using metal brushes! Thanx !

 

[sestoppelman]

Just as an FYI, Bore Tech is an all purpose solvent / bore cleaner - not just for copper. It replaced several items on my bench.

But one is specifically for copper. I use No. 9 for general cleaning and for most copper and Bore Tech for getting what 9 doesn't.

 

[shootist~]

Shootist you must have read my mind as I was looking at the website . I also see that I need nylon brushes for my various calibers. I am used to using metal brushes! Thanx !

Correct on the nylon brushes - and I suggest the Bore Tech brand since they have an aluminum (not brass) stem. Bore Tech will attack brass, if not removed promptly. (Duh!)

I use aluminum jags for one or two calibers, but still use brass jags for most. To remove the Bore Tech from brushes, jags, etc., when finished I flush with KG3 (solvent/degreaser). Brake Cleaner or similar will work too, of course. I just happen to like the KG product.

I still have Hoppies No. 9 on my bench. I think I've used it twice in the last year for quick and dirty. And that was when I was doing a clean-up after glass bedding rifles.

I think Bore Tech makes more than just one product. I just use the basic "Eliminator".

4 or 5 wet patches (fairly snug fit) - one way only. (I also use a bore guide.)
Wet brush with nylon (both ways, although I just hate the two-way thing).
Then another 4 or 5 wet patches (one way again),

Edit:
Wait 5 min or so, then Dry Patch.

Note: You could stop here and oil or whatever....

I add the step of a quick flush with the KG3 (or similar) - including the chamber.
Dry Patch chamber and barrel, then oil as normal.

 

[Tgood1]

i have a pet rifle that uses barnes exclusively. All i use is the above mentioned bore tech eliminator. Great product. I try to clean after a significant shooting session +/- 20 rounds. Very easy to use.