newbie question, bore cleaning

[CRNA]

Originally Posted by Derek M.

I've been advised by 3 bbl makers and 2 smiths not to do that. I was told to make sure the brush never changes direction inside the bore.

Why is that? Just wondering what damage that could cause.

[AZShooter]

In theory the brush could harm the inside of the barrel. I can only theorize, perhaps reversing it while still in the bore might cause the steel center to be pushed off center scraping the rifling? Maybe any grit would be forced into the rifling scratching it? Who knows?

I know I have read many shooters cringing at the thought of pulling the bore brush back into the crown after it comes out.

I think it would be interesting for an inquisitive bore scope owner to see if they could find any damage caused to the steel barrel.

[RT2506]

You can do a lot more harm to a barrel by improperly cleaning it than you ever will by shooting it a bunch.

One of the biggest mistakes I see people do all the time is not let the solvent work. They soak a patch run it down the bore and immediately run a dry one down. LET THAT SOLVENT SOAK AND WORK 15 OR SO MINUTES. Never use a steel brush. Bronze or copper is OK but don't use them with copper solvent because it will eat them and leave the leftovers in your bore. I don't even use a cleaning rod. I use weed eater line. Cut you a piece about a foot longer than your barrel and action. Sharpen one end and with a flame melt the other end and push it against a piece of glass to form a button. It will not stick to glass. You can file the edges of the button to just under your bore diameter if you need to. Speer a patch with the sharp end and push it to the button end. Place solvent on the patch and place the sharpened end into the chamber end and push it out the muzzle end and pull the patch through the bore. LET IS SOAK. Then repeat with a dry patch until clean. You will not harm your bore or your crown and you can clean anything from the chamber end with this method. Best of all the cleaning rod only cost you a few cents.

[Derek M.]

Originally Posted by CRNA

Why is that? Just wondering what damage that could cause.

One barrel maker stated he really doesn't understand the concept of cleaning with a bronze brush to begin with because running it down the bore is like lapping it further, especially over the crown.

You can skip to the 4 minute mark and listen to Krieger speak on cleaning and dragging a bronze brush against a crown.

Barrel-maker John Krieger Interview - YouTube

Now as to changing directions of a brush inside a bore, if the brush is a good fit, it should be tight, so tight in fact that I don't think you should be able to change directions. I cannot tell you the mechanism of damage, but I've heard it from sources smarter than me that it is part of the "DO NOT EVER..." list. So, I don't do it.

To me, the real purpose of brushing isn't so much to rid the bore of copper but to break up the carbon/black build up and get rid of it.

[WillHunt]

Great info folks. I appreciate it.
What about "scrubbers" that I assume are alcohol based (because they evaporate so fast and feel cold) that you can get from Walmart? The one I have now is Winchester Break Free Powder Blast, and I've also used Remington Action Scrubber. Usually follow up with RemOil. Bad?

[Derek M.]

Originally Posted by WillHunt

Great info folks. I appreciate it.
What about "scrubbers" that I assume are alcohol based (because they evaporate so fast and feel cold) that you can get from Walmart? The one I have now is Winchester Break Free Powder Blast, and I've also used Remington Action Scrubber. Usually follow up with RemOil. Bad?

I've never used scrubbers. I don't use RemOil. I use G96 or the KG oil for follow-up and storage.

[CRNA]

Originally Posted by Derek M.

One barrel maker stated he really doesn't understand the concept of cleaning with a bronze brush to begin with because running it down the bore is like lapping it further, especially over the crown.

You can skip to the 4 minute mark and listen to Krieger speak on cleaning and dragging a bronze brush against a crown. Barrel-maker John Krieger Interview - YouTube

Now as to changing directions of a brush inside a bore, if the brush is a good fit, it should be tight, so tight in fact that I don't think you should be able to change directions. I cannot tell you the mechanism of damage, but I've heard it from sources smarter than me that it is part of the "DO NOT EVER..." list. So, I don't do it.

To me, the real purpose of brushing isn't so much to rid the bore of copper but to break up the carbon/black build up and get rid of it.

Pretty interesting information. Thanks for the link. I may just have to rethink my process.