I currently use Hoppes #9 I am wondering if there is a better or more recommended Solvent for the same purpose? I don't worry about Lead Fowling just Copper Fowling
Hoppes No 9 is really a powder/carbon/grease solvent, it won't dissolve copper.
Depending on how fouled the barrel is, you can try Hoppes Benchrest Copper Solvent, It's slow but it works. For bad fouling I use Sweets 7.62 ammonia based solvent. Follow the directions and don't do this in the house, it stinks and the copper that comes out will stain anything it touches.
Worst case use JB Non-Embedding Bore Compound but read up on it, some guys love it others say never use it. My gunsmith swears by it.
I have been Cleaning the Barrel on my '03, The first time I went at it, I got a lot of Green Stains on my White cotton Patches after running the Stiff Nylon bore brush down it. Now it isn't showing Any Green stains. I also have a Bronze bore brush, I only use it occasionaly. After running the Dry Patches through the Barrel, I wash it out with denatured alcohol then run a Bore Mop through it to make sure it is dry. Then I run an oiled Patch through it. I think I am ahead of the copper fowling now but want to keep it clear.
I use Gunslick Foaming Bore Cleaner. Plug the end of the bore with a patch (or something) and squirt a shot in the chamber and let it set, bore down, for about 5 minutes before swabbing. You would be amazed at the green crap that comes out.
I use Hoppes Benchrest the same way, it always amazes me how much green stuff comes out. But if I use Sweets after the Benchrest, I get more green patches, the ammonia based solvents do dissolve more copper. Follow the directions, these are pretty harsh chemicals.
KG-12 Results and opinions vary from person to person so this is just mine, i havent found anything that works near as good for copper removal. Carbon and any other residue Hoppies9, and M-pro7, with m-pro7 working better and quicker for me. M-pro7 also makes a copper remover that does a good job. It and Sweets are very respectable but KG-12 has just worked wonders for me.
I now use M-pro7 for carbon followed by KG-12 for copper and im done in half the time and the bore is cleaner!
I second the vote for Sweet's. You have to be willing to follow directions if your going to use it. I've used lots and lots of JB Bore Paste, and it is "OK" - but for heavy copper fouling you just can't beat Sweet's.
Just got back from Cabela's And Sweet's is what I got. They had another copper solvent called Shooters that was cheaper for a larger quantity. I also got a couple more 30 cal Bore Mops and a bronze Jag. So gonna do a cleaning time again tonight. I don't need to clean the pistols again or the Savage. Jus the '03.
I was really surprised I wet the mop with Sweet's, followed the directions passed the mop through the bore 10 times. White Mop is deep Blue now. Waiting the 15 minutes to run patches through. This may take a while tonight.
After 2 cleanings with Sweet's the Barrel is clean. Ran a Patch with CLP on it through the barrel it is ready for storage. Didn't take as long as I thought it would.
I was really surprised, Cabela's didn't have more Gun Cleaning products than I found. The only thing they had a good supply of was Bore Brushes, Plastic Jags, and Rem Oil.
Ive been surprised too at how little stores carry in the way of cleaning equipment. Cabelas, Gander Mt, LGS, etc. Heck, Walmart has as much just about. For good cleaners, one pc rods, good bore guides any of that stuff i usually have to order online. Just cheap cleaning kits and rem oil or Hop9. One of our LGS the only one pc rod they sale is stainless steel. Be better to never clean your gun than dent it all up with a stainless rod!
I have a Carbon Fiber 27" rod I got at Walmart for $7, Same Rod at Cabela's was $30. No tips included. Today they had all these Aluminum in coated Universal cleaning kits. I have a coated aluminum rod for my pistols from Outers.
I agree, but Midway is more than an hour away from me here. If I don't need something quick, I will order online, Reloading equip, Gun Cleaning supplies, Some Firearms related parts, I can order from Amazon or Walmart free shipping. I do like going into a Store so I can also put my finger prints all over a bunch of guns I might be interested in though.
I like to go back for a couple of days after I give my barrels a really good cleaning to make darned sure that I've gotten ALL of the cleaner OUT and apply a thin coat of preservative. You might be surprised to find - say a day or two after you got that barrel really clean - how there is still enough solvent to leach from the pores in the steel bore and give you traces of copper fouling. Wait a day or two, then run a clean patch thru the bore and you will see what I'm talking about.
Midway and Brownells are where i get most of my cleaning supplies. Id much rather buy in person, just dont have any stores near me that stock decent stuff.
Speaking of putting your fingerprints on guns your interested in, Gander Mt used to have all their guns and ammo out and you could pick up every gun in the place. A few years back they put the guns behind the counters so you have to ask to see a gun. I loved when they were out, like 100's of rifles I could put my grabby hands on!
It's a three hour drive for me to get to Midway. if I order from them online the state tax and their shipping costs are crazy. Most of my orders are to Mid-South, Brownells or Natchez. Like others have stated, LGS only as a limited offering of cleaning supplies. local Wal-Mart has as good of selection, and cheaper.
I like the foaming bore cleaners. Gunslick, Hoppe's, and Wipe-Out. None of them smell.
There is no limitation on how long you leave them in the barrel.
Use a 3/8"(1/4'ID) plastic tube on the Wipe-Out can. You can buy the tubing at Lowes.
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