Solvent for bolt cleaning

375er

AH elite
Joined
Jun 26, 2021
Messages
1,147
Reaction score
2,563
Media
6
Hunting reports
Africa
2
Greetings all. I am looking for thoughts on a solvent to clean the famous fine dust of Africa from a bolt. Specifically thinking the extractor/ejector. Gun scrubber works well but cannot be taken on an aircraft. Goal is something that would evaporate and not leave a residue to attract dust.
Look forward to your ideas.
 
Take a 1" paintbrush with a narrow handle, it makes brushing that fine dust out of tight spots quick and easy.

If you can stop at a corner store before heading to camp, just pick up a small bottle of lighter fluid like you would use for a Zippo.
 
Your safari operator should have a stock of gun cleaning stuff. Contact him. Acetone and paint thinner should work but make sure you're wearing protective gloves. Disposable surgical gloves can go on the plane.
 
Take a 1" paintbrush with a narrow handle, it makes brushing that fine dust out of tight spots quick and easy.

If you can stop at a corner store before heading to camp, just pick up a small bottle of lighter fluid like you would use for a Zippo.
Use a hair bristle brush. Synthetic bristles often melt when in contact with solvents.
 
Your safari operator should have a stock of gun cleaning stuff. Contact him. Acetone and paint thinner should work but make sure you're wearing protective gloves. Disposable surgical gloves can go on the plane.
All gun solvents are carbon solvents including paint thinners etc. As we are carbon based, it also damages our bodies so we should all wear gloves. All are carcinogenic
 
I would not be concerned about it for an African safari......just remove, brush and lightly oil when needed....unless it is a non african proven action in which case I would not use it.....
 
Use starting fluid. Out of the can it’s a fluid then evaporates away clean. Should be easy enough for PH to arrange a can for you. I use at home to clean bolts and flush out actions on semi auto shotgun.
 
Pull into an automotive store after you arrive and get a can of brake cleaner. If it’s good enough to clean grime or grease off brake discs and many other purposes it should do a good job on your rifle bolt.
 
Pull into an automotive store after you arrive and get a can of brake cleaner. If it’s good enough to clean grime or grease off brake discs and many other purposes it should do a good job on your rifle bolt.
You need to be careful using brake cleaner. Many will leave a light residue. That’s the benefit of using starting fluid. It dries away completely.
 
You need to be careful using brake cleaner. Many will leave a light residue. That’s the benefit of using starting fluid. It dries away completely.
Right. And brake cleaner is highly caustic. Hate to see what it would do to finish on a stock. Better have gloves on with that stuff! Lighter fluid is much tamer. Brake cleaner is best reserved for serious crud issues like stuck choke tubes.
 
You need to be careful using brake cleaner. Many will leave a light residue. That’s the benefit of using starting fluid. It dries away completely.
Every day is a learning day !
 

Forum statistics

Threads
65,632
Messages
1,449,194
Members
137,137
Latest member
AraLeff757
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Timbila GAME LODGE wrote on Clayton d's profile.
Hi Clayton,

Please find attached our best quote based on your request.

I’ve also included the price list for additional animals, as well as our 2026 hunting packages for your reference.

You can also click on my banner to access our website and get more detailed information about the lodge, hunting areas, and options.

Best regards,
Orso
Woza it has been a busy few weeks!

Here below are the updated available dates for this the 2026 season

9-28 Feb open

21-25 March open

16-24 April is open

18-13 June is open this would awake time for kudu or Buffalo hunt!

9-19 July open will be very good for Kudu or Buffalo hunt!

14-30 September is open would be perfect time for late buffalo tracking hunt

October is wide open,

please contact me for more in
Woodcarver wrote on RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION's profile.
Just wanted to say thanks for the excellent customer service. Ordered some 9.3x62 brass and the delivery was a little short. An email through your website Contact Us link was replied to the next day with the tracking info for the correction. Good pricing coupled with great customer service will see returning customers every time. Thanks again!
No Promises wrote on swoobie's profile.
X5i scope is perfect - thanks for an easy transaction! Buy with confidence.
Made it to Augusta Georgia yesterday for a meeting, hunt bookings are looking good for 2026 and 2027, had a great time on our Alabama safari shot a rutting deer at 200 yards with 7mm PRC near Huntsville and then headed on to Butler Alabama and semi guided my first deer ever shot a very nice broken off 8 point with hunter there and spend a few days on 1100 acres hunting preserve awesome place!
 
Top