How do I get the copper out of my barrel?

goodsteel · 03-16-2008, 04:21 PM

I am sick and tired of seeing copper streeks down my barrel. I have heard of products that aparently will clean the copper out but i have always been afraid of doing damage to the rifling by using to harsh a solvent. I cant afford to lose any accuracy. Are copper strieks even a problem? if so what do i use? I need the good stuff. (by "good stuff" i mean "works well" even if its a cheap home remedy.)

rfc357 · 03-16-2008, 04:32 PM

Sweet's 7.62 Solvent. Follow the directions. Copper is a problem.

goodsteel · 03-16-2008, 04:34 PM

it wont harm the barrel?

EviL · 03-16-2008, 04:38 PM

what about the wire brush things for cleaning barrels? are those good or bad? im always afraid to use those things.

goodsteel · 03-16-2008, 04:42 PM

the bronze brushes wont hurt the barrel because they are softer than steel. problem is that they dont seem to be any harder than the copper.

rfc357 · 03-16-2008, 05:01 PM

It won't harm the barrel. Follow the directions.

billy · 03-16-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfc357

Sweet's 7.62 Solvent. Follow the directions. Copper is a problem.

yep

irish murphy · 03-16-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodsteel

it wont harm the barrel?

It can if the barrel is stainless.I wouldnt use sweets on a stainless barrel.

samuel · 03-16-2008, 05:35 PM

I use Butches Bore Shine.It is a little slower,but wont harm the barrel,even if left stand which I usually do.Main thing is follow directions. sam.

Midas · 03-16-2008, 06:01 PM

Get some of that bore foam that squirts down the barrel, and let it sit for 2 hours, that stuff will remove copper better than anything else I've tried, and it won't harm your barrel.

soonerborn · 03-16-2008, 06:08 PM

use a nylon brush with sweets 7.62

lefty o · 03-16-2008, 07:41 PM

sweets is not to be left in a barrel for more than 15min. it is a good copper solvent, but a poor powder solvent. butchs bore shine is good on both copper and powder.

Deep13 · 03-17-2008, 10:15 AM

Shooter's Choice and a bronze brush.

Mooseman684 · 03-17-2008, 11:36 AM

Here is an Interesting site that tested the products and the results...
Gun Cleaning Product Tests
Rich

Deersniper · 03-18-2008, 11:21 PM

Thanks for the test results M/M. I've been using Outers foaming bore cleaner, with two applications, and then cleaning with #9. After I dry patch, I run a couple rags down the bore with Mothers FX polymer car wax down the bore, let dry and buff with dry patches. It gets a ton of more stuff out and slicks up the barrel to keep deposits down.

AKHunter · 03-19-2008, 12:22 AM

Hoppes copper solvent works for me, followed with the usuall bronze brush and patch work.

meatloaf · 03-19-2008, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas

Get some of that bore foam that squirts down the barrel, and let it sit for 2 hours, that stuff will remove copper better than anything else I've tried, and it won't harm your barrel.

plus 1 the foaming barrel scrub is awesome. Dont let it dry let sit for only 15 min at a time then scrub swab and repeat, as much as you need to. Do not let foam dry in the barrel. it says not to on the instructions.

win39 · 03-19-2008, 07:06 AM

Try a can of Wipe-Out. It is a foam you let sit in the barrel for an hour. If the barrel is really bad they recommend a second cleaning and letting it sit for 24 hrs. This is the best method of cleaning a barrel that I have found. It is really expensive, like $15.00 for a 5 oz. can.

billy · 03-19-2008, 07:20 AM

Ive been using sweets periodically and eds red forever.
about 4 years ago i mixed up a 3 gallon batch and at this rate i will be an old man buy the time it's all used.
3 gallons was about 35 bucks

mtm1 · 03-19-2008, 04:19 PM

I use a GM top end cleaner for carbon and lately Wipe Out for copper. The Wipe Out takes a lot of work out of copper removal.

03-16-2008, 04:21 PM	#1
goodsteel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: arkansas Posts: 14	How do I get the copper out of my barrel? I am sick and tired of seeing copper streeks down my barrel. I have heard of products that aparently will clean the copper out but i have always been afraid of doing damage to the rifling by using to harsh a solvent. I cant afford to lose any accuracy. Are copper strieks even a problem? if so what do i use? I need the good stuff. (by "good stuff" i mean "works well" even if its a cheap home remedy.)

03-16-2008, 06:01 PM	#10
Midas Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Posts: 3,809 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 6	Get some of that bore foam that squirts down the barrel, and let it sit for 2 hours, that stuff will remove copper better than anything else I've tried, and it won't harm your barrel. __________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever"

03-17-2008, 11:36 AM	#14
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,687 Images: 2	Here is an Interesting site that tested the products and the results... Gun Cleaning Product Tests Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

03-18-2008, 11:21 PM	#15
Deersniper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,691	Copper cleaning Thanks for the test results M/M. I've been using Outers foaming bore cleaner, with two applications, and then cleaning with #9. After I dry patch, I run a couple rags down the bore with Mothers FX polymer car wax down the bore, let dry and buff with dry patches. It gets a ton of more stuff out and slicks up the barrel to keep deposits down.

03-19-2008, 07:06 AM	#18
win39 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 201	Try a can of Wipe-Out. It is a foam you let sit in the barrel for an hour. If the barrel is really bad they recommend a second cleaning and letting it sit for 24 hrs. This is the best method of cleaning a barrel that I have found. It is really expensive, like $15.00 for a 5 oz. can. __________________ Benny

03-16-2008, 04:32 PM	#2
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Sweet's 7.62 Solvent. Follow the directions. Copper is a problem.

03-16-2008, 04:34 PM	#3
goodsteel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: arkansas Posts: 14	it wont harm the barrel?

03-16-2008, 04:38 PM	#4
EviL Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In the Boonies Posts: 107	what about the wire brush things for cleaning barrels? are those good or bad? im always afraid to use those things.

03-16-2008, 04:42 PM	#5
goodsteel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: arkansas Posts: 14	the bronze brushes wont hurt the barrel because they are softer than steel. problem is that they dont seem to be any harder than the copper.

03-16-2008, 05:01 PM	#6
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	It won't harm the barrel. Follow the directions.

03-16-2008, 05:35 PM	#9
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I use Butches Bore Shine.It is a little slower,but wont harm the barrel,even if left stand which I usually do.Main thing is follow directions. sam.

03-16-2008, 06:08 PM	#11
soonerborn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 320	use a nylon brush with sweets 7.62

03-16-2008, 07:41 PM	#12
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,807	sweets is not to be left in a barrel for more than 15min. it is a good copper solvent, but a poor powder solvent. butchs bore shine is good on both copper and powder.

03-17-2008, 10:15 AM	#13
Deep13 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 203	Shooter's Choice and a bronze brush.

03-19-2008, 12:22 AM	#16
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	Hoppes copper solvent works for me, followed with the usuall bronze brush and patch work.

03-19-2008, 07:20 AM	#19
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,183 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	Ive been using sweets periodically and eds red forever. about 4 years ago i mixed up a 3 gallon batch and at this rate i will be an old man buy the time it's all used. 3 gallons was about 35 bucks __________________

03-19-2008, 04:19 PM	#20
mtm1 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern B.C. Posts: 85	I use a GM top end cleaner for carbon and lately Wipe Out for copper. The Wipe Out takes a lot of work out of copper removal.