How to remove molly from rifle Barrel

William Snyder · 04-16-2008, 09:40 PM

I have a rifle that Iam trying to get molly out of. It was a used rifle and apparently the guy who owned it before me used molly coated bullets. I was having trouble getting it to shoot groups, and did some work on it. I have gotten it to 1 1/2" at 100 yards, but want it at least to 1. I have done all the usual things, bedding, floating, changed bullets, powder, primers to get it where it is now. I checked out the bore and it had rings of molly in it. I have tried JB bore shine, Kroil, Sweets, shooters choice, CLP, Bore Tech molly magic and it still is coming out like when I started. Anyone have any ideas, or have faced this problem? I figure the molly rings were causing pressure spikes. Thanks in advance.

Mooseman684 · 04-16-2008, 09:50 PM

Once moly has plated to steel, removing it is not an easy task. If the buildup is not too severe, it can be removed by using a dry powder chemical compound called Alkanox (your local chemical supply house should have it) and some very vigorous scrubbing with a brass brush. If Alkanox is not available, then use the gel type detergent made for dish washing machines with even more intense scrubbing with a brass brush. In severe cases, you will have to resort to using a mild abrasive and some elbow grease. They key word is "mild." Some products will rub the rifling right out of your barrel. Be careful! You can also fire some abrasive coated Bullets as a last resort to "sand" the moly off the rifling...
Rich

Minionsram · 05-15-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Snyder

I have a rifle that Iam trying to get molly out of. It was a used rifle and apparently the guy who owned it before me used molly coated bullets. I was having trouble getting it to shoot groups, and did some work on it. I have gotten it to 1 1/2" at 100 yards, but want it at least to 1. I have done all the usual things, bedding, floating, changed bullets, powder, primers to get it where it is now. I checked out the bore and it had rings of molly in it. I have tried JB bore shine, Kroil, Sweets, shooters choice, CLP, Bore Tech molly magic and it still is coming out like when I started. Anyone have any ideas, or have faced this problem? I figure the molly rings were causing pressure spikes. Thanks in advance.

What worked once for me was to get a good barell plug, Fill with hoppes ELITE CLEANER and let set for a week. Then take your wire brush and agitate with as much cleaner in the barell as you can. The hoppes EC is a great SAFE cleaner and will suprise you.

Elarski · 05-20-2008, 05:18 AM

Strange that Kroil didn't work for you. You might give JB Bore paste a try.

JB Bore Paste

Good luck, and let us know if anything works out for you.

LiveToShoot · 05-20-2008, 06:57 AM

Thanks for this info...I've been using some .44 bullets that are molly coated and I needed to know how to clean up the barrels they've been fired through.

Rex in OTZ · 05-21-2008, 06:43 PM

How about Commet kitchen cleanser and a brass brush with a fair amount of water?

GlockMeister · 05-21-2008, 07:05 PM

Sounds like molly coated/molly bullets are a pain in the arse to clean up after? What do they look like so I can avoid them? Are or do they look the same or is it the same as or do you mean chrome molly bullets? Any info would be greatly appreciated...

Asphalt Cowboy · 05-21-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlockMeister

Sounds like molly coated/molly bullets are a pain in the arse to clean up after? What do they look like so I can avoid them? Are or do they look the same or is it the same as or do you mean chrome molly bullets? Any info would be greatly appreciated...

They generally are black or dark grey. There may be a different type of moly that's a different collor, but I ain't seen it.

Moly, IMHO, isn't worth the hassle. I've only got one barrel where it made a substantial difference and that was after it had recieved the Delstar Blackstar treatment.

GlockMeister · 05-21-2008, 10:55 PM

Is that what the "Black Talons" are/were made of or are?

just_a_car · 05-21-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlockMeister

Is that what the "Black Talons" are/were made of or are?

No, BT's from Winchester had Teflon® coating to reduce the friction coefficient. They currently have them without the coating for sale as their T-series line in Ranger SXT and Ranger T. I use them in my carry gun (G27)... no, I'm not LE.

GlockMeister · 05-21-2008, 11:31 PM

I only asked because I was given a box of ammo and I always thought they were blacktalons. Have had them for quite a few years and have yet to shoot any though.

Then reading about molly bullets I started getting concerned they weren't black talons but instead these molly bullets that seem to be a royal pain to clean up after. And if they were, I'd NEVER use them.

I just image searched black talons and what I was given is/was black talons, not mollys, PHEW. lol.

I've been unable to get any images to come up for these molly bullets. Maybe I'm spelling it wrong? But if anyone has or can find an image of a molly bully so I can have/get a visual I'd really appreciate it...

Never mind, it was the spelling. I was spelling as here, molly and it's moly, only 1 L..... Found images. Thanks though. lol. Plus, I also remembered I had a Hornady catalog and that I remembered seeing in the catalog they sell moly bullets and what do ya' know, they have the pictures in the catalog also.

In the reading I've done since I found this post, I'm getting the impression people think using moly bullets will or does prolong barrel life. If this is true, I'd soon as well get another barrel then deal will trying to clean the barrel and get it moly free. lol

Asphalt Cowboy, the black color description you gave is similar to the black talon, and had me concerned for a moment. Black Talon >>>

Asphalt Cowboy · 05-22-2008, 07:19 PM

The 45gr. Hornaday .218 Bee bullets I treated for my Hornet came out about that color, 'cept without the shine.
The 20-30 minute task of cleaning my Hornet turned into a chore of several hours which culminated in the use of a hazardous aromatic solvent.

04-16-2008, 09:40 PM	#1
William Snyder Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nevada Posts: 1 Trader Rating: (0)	How to remove molly from rifle Barrel I have a rifle that Iam trying to get molly out of. It was a used rifle and apparently the guy who owned it before me used molly coated bullets. I was having trouble getting it to shoot groups, and did some work on it. I have gotten it to 1 1/2" at 100 yards, but want it at least to 1. I have done all the usual things, bedding, floating, changed bullets, powder, primers to get it where it is now. I checked out the bore and it had rings of molly in it. I have tried JB bore shine, Kroil, Sweets, shooters choice, CLP, Bore Tech molly magic and it still is coming out like when I started. Anyone have any ideas, or have faced this problem? I figure the molly rings were causing pressure spikes. Thanks in advance.

04-16-2008, 09:50 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,252 Trader Rating: (0)	Once moly has plated to steel, removing it is not an easy task. If the buildup is not too severe, it can be removed by using a dry powder chemical compound called Alkanox (your local chemical supply house should have it) and some very vigorous scrubbing with a brass brush. If Alkanox is not available, then use the gel type detergent made for dish washing machines with even more intense scrubbing with a brass brush. In severe cases, you will have to resort to using a mild abrasive and some elbow grease. They key word is "mild." Some products will rub the rifling right out of your barrel. Be careful! You can also fire some abrasive coated Bullets as a last resort to "sand" the moly off the rifling... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

05-20-2008, 06:57 AM	#5
LiveToShoot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks for this info...I've been using some .44 bullets that are molly coated and I needed to know how to clean up the barrels they've been fired through. __________________ "Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." -Unknown

05-21-2008, 07:05 PM	#7
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 4,923 Trader Rating: (0)	Sounds like molly coated/molly bullets are a pain in the arse to clean up after? What do they look like so I can avoid them? Are or do they look the same or is it the same as or do you mean chrome molly bullets? Any info would be greatly appreciated... __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

05-21-2008, 10:55 PM	#9
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 4,923 Trader Rating: (0)	Is that what the "Black Talons" are/were made of or are? __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

05-20-2008, 05:18 AM	#4
Elarski Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 45 Trader Rating: (0)	Strange that Kroil didn't work for you. You might give JB Bore paste a try. JB Bore Paste Good luck, and let us know if anything works out for you.

05-21-2008, 06:43 PM	#6
Rex in OTZ Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kotzebue, Alaska Posts: 389 Trader Rating: (0)	How about Commet kitchen cleanser and a brass brush with a fair amount of water?

05-21-2008, 11:31 PM	#11
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 4,923 Trader Rating: (0)	I only asked because I was given a box of ammo and I always thought they were blacktalons. Have had them for quite a few years and have yet to shoot any though. Then reading about molly bullets I started getting concerned they weren't black talons but instead these molly bullets that seem to be a royal pain to clean up after. And if they were, I'd NEVER use them. I just image searched black talons and what I was given is/was black talons, not mollys, PHEW. lol. I've been unable to get any images to come up for these molly bullets. Maybe I'm spelling it wrong? But if anyone has or can find an image of a molly bully so I can have/get a visual I'd really appreciate it... Never mind, it was the spelling. I was spelling as here, molly and it's moly, only 1 L..... Found images. Thanks though. lol. Plus, I also remembered I had a Hornady catalog and that I remembered seeing in the catalog they sell moly bullets and what do ya' know, they have the pictures in the catalog also. In the reading I've done since I found this post, I'm getting the impression people think using moly bullets will or does prolong barrel life. If this is true, I'd soon as well get another barrel then deal will trying to clean the barrel and get it moly free. lol Asphalt Cowboy, the black color description you gave is similar to the black talon, and had me concerned for a moment. Black Talon >>> __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 05-21-2008 at 11:43 PM.

05-22-2008, 07:19 PM	#12
Asphalt Cowboy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: A one horse town in E.Kansas. Posts: 291 Trader Rating: (0)	The 45gr. Hornaday .218 Bee bullets I treated for my Hornet came out about that color, 'cept without the shine. The 20-30 minute task of cleaning my Hornet turned into a chore of several hours which culminated in the use of a hazardous aromatic solvent. __________________ Yes, I Ride A Motorcycle. I Have To, It's Cheaper Than A Shrink.