Removing muzzle brake for barrel cleaning?

Hey fellas, for those with self timing brakes; do you remove to clean barrel or do you leave them on?

Thx

What is a "self timing" brake? How does it "self time" itself?

With self timing brakes (those that can be removed and returned to the same aligned position, or has the provision to adjust to the same position after removal), I prefer to clean the rifle with them removed. Over time, they can accumulate carbon/copper deposits that may not be scrubbed in areas which cannot be reached by the cleaning rod patch/brush. Excess build up can effect performance, and even make contact with the bullet. This is more common with my heavy use competition rifles. While a brake can be sufficiently cleaned while attached, it's easy to let the removed brake soak in some solvent and give it a good scrubbing. It's also a good opportunity to clean the muzzle crown and the threads where extended use may cause carbon seizing. IMO.

The ported type brakes don't need to be removed for cleaning unless you want to because they can be cleaned at the same time. I place the muzzle lower than the rifle and apply the bore solvent with a Q Tip. when the bore is clean, i use Q tips to wipe the brake out. these types of brakes are normally timed and torqued and difficult to remove.

Drilled brakes that don't need timing are normally removed and soaked in solvent because they are hard to clean compared to ported brakes and don't have to be timed. I recommend that after cleaning a brake by removing it, the barrel tenon needs to be cleaned and anti seize needs to be re applied.

Although most of the fouling is carbon, I don't recommend using anything other than your bore solvent because some cleaners can be harmful to your barrel.

J E CUSTOM