Good Ole Hoppes

[General RE LEE]

Deer season is over so I'm cleaning the guns to go back in the safe. I've used products like Butch's Bore Shine or Kroil with JB Bore Paste to get out everything including copper, but I always have to shoot a box of ammo to get accuracy back.

This year I'm going with good ole Hoppes to get the fouling out and maybe a smidgen of copper, but I'm not going for bare steel.

Anyone clean their hunting rifles with just Hoppes?

 

[ShtrRdy]

I don't clean my rifles with Hoppes but I have a partial jar from the 70s that I open and catch a whiff of once in awhile. Brings back memories.

 

[wv270wsm]

Yep just patches soaked with hoppes then a brass brush followed by some dry patches . Then I do a patch of bore butter and that's it

 

[dok7mm]

I only use Hoppe's for cleaning dies. That's the only use I've found it to do a good job.

 

[MagnumManiac]

I clean my comp guns with Hoppes No.9, does good for powder fouling if left to soak for 15-20 minutes. Then use a nylon brush, followed by more soaking, and then wet/dry patches until a patch comes out clean. I also use the Carby Kleen on stubborn carbon deposits.
I use JB only if scrubbing back to bare metal.
Sometimes I use Sweet's 7.62 on my hunting rifles, they tend to copper foul more than my comp guns.

Cheers.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Hoppes #9 for powder fouling, and Boretech Eliminator for removing copper. During hunting season, I don't clean the barrel as long as accuracy is there. I make sure the barrel is completely clean (to bare steel) at the end of the season when putting it in the safe for several months. I realize it may take several shots to season the bore to optimum accuracy next time I shoot it. I would rather do that than leave any fouling in the barrel for an extended period of time.

 

[Jud96]

I use Boretech Eliminator and have found it to work way better than anything I've tried including Hoppes #9, Hoppes Benchrest, Shooter's Choice, and Butch's. I only use Hoppes to lube the inside of my case necks when mandrel expanding haha.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Repeating in order to clarify my reply (#6). Hoppes #9 is not a copper solvent, and is not effective at removing copper fouling. If you are targeting the copper in your bore you can use a solvent with ammonia (Butch's, Shooter's Choice, Sweets 7.62), but follow label directions closely or you risk damaging the bore. OR you can use BoreTech Eliminator, which contains no ammonia but removes copper better than anything else I have tried in my last 50 years of shooting. It is safe to leave in your barrel for an extended time, in fact label instructions say you can leave some in the barrel to protect it from rust.

 

[Muddyboots]

Still use it as after shave. Love the smell! Only stuff I feel comfortable leaving in bore overnight. Wish you could buy a candle or truck air freshener of it.

 

[rapala09]

Still use it as after shave. Love the smell! Only stuff I feel comfortable leaving in bore overnight. Wish you could buy a candle or truck air freshener of it.

I spilled a jar in the basement gun room one time.... I don't mind the smell, but THAT was too much. It didn't really dissipate for a couple weeks. Needless to say, Momma wasn't too happy with me.

And also, That's pretty much the only thing I use to clean all of my guns. Although I seen an article on this website about Wipe-out and thought I would give it a try. I haven't yet for fear of damaging something? I don't know what it could hurt though....

 

[Muddyboots]

One thing I have done over the years is to burn a large candle on a table nearby 5-6 ft away that will consume organics in the air. Do not do this on your cleaning table! Amazing how well the candle will consume the volatiles in the air.

 

[Laelkhunter]

One thing I have done over the years is to burn a large candle on a table nearby 5-6 ft away that will consume organics in the air. Do not do this on your cleaning table! Amazing how well the candle will consume the volatiles in the air.

That works in the bathroom too. Especially effective after a large meal of Mexican cuisine

 

[Muddyboots]

Beer and deviled eggs may require 2 or 3 candles.

 

[General RE LEE]

Lol y'all crack me up.

For the record I understand Hoppes removes very little if any copper. I personally don't go after copper until groups start opening up. I like Hoppes cause it does a pretty good job of removing fouling if used properly but leaves enough "junk" in the bore to keep groups tight. I oil my bore and leave it in a safe so I'm not concerned with corrosion build up.