I hate CLP. It is a poor substitute for a cleaner, lubricator, or protector. Unfortunately it is the only "Army Authorized" cleaning solution. I don't think anyone has ever gotten a barrel truly clean using CLP.
For my Service Rifle AR, I don't think I've ever used CLP. And now that I'm shooting more, I am cleaning more. I picked up two cleaning solutions in the last few months, Rem 40X and MPro7 Copper Remover. As much as I like shopping in the automotive section for my gun cleaning chemicals I felt it was time to get something barrel specific.
I've shot 3 matches this year, and lent the rifle to someone for a 25 meter alt qual. I usually use an Otis pull through system to knock out the fouling between uses. But I noticed some copper streaks near the muzzle that just shouldn't have been there, so I broke out the old sectional rod and went to town.
First I wrapped a patch around a brass bore brush, then soaked that in Rem40X. A couple strokes up and down the bore had black liquid flowing out of the muzzle. So I repeated the 40X treatment for three more patches. Then two dry patches, the second patch came out dry and white. So then I hit the bore with MPro7 copper remover, and started getting some brownish green gunk. Let the copper remover sit, then dry patches until they came out clean and white.
And still the copper streaks remain near the muzzle. The tops of the lands are polished to a dull shine but the grooves are still fouled with copper. Slightly frustrating, but unless I switch my powder to Hogdon CFE or Power Pro 1000 then I'm just going to have to live with some stubborn copper fouling.
For the rest of the upper receiver, bolt and BCG, I used my normal cleaning method of 5w-30 and synthetic grease. The best part about using grease? After a match there is still some lube on the bolt, even if the gas rings have been blown dry.
I should probably invest in a synthetic coated rod, having a bare metal rod (no matter how soft the alloy) can't be the best thing for my bore.
So, hands down Rem40X is great for a deep cleaning of your rifle bore, but even then it may not get out all the copper fouling.
About Me
- AM
- Raised by conservative Christian parents, enlisted in the Army at 18, used the GI Bill to finish college, and I'm back in the Army. Along the way I've encountered a huge cast of characters, some I got into trouble with, some that passed on skills that have helped me on my life journey.
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7 comments:
I started using one of the foaming copper solvents (Break Free? Hoppes? I don't recall off the top of my head) a few years back. It works a trick.
It also threw my groups for the first magazine or two, because it *really* unfouled the barrel. I got in the habit of scrubbing it clean with the foam and then running at least 2-3 shots down the barrel followed by a lightly oiled patch. I'd still expect the first shot or two to be off the next time I had it out, but not by quite so much.
I use foaming bore cleaner on my 30 cal rifles, but I've not had good luck with 22 caliber barrels. The foam gets too quick too thick to get all the way down the barrel in my experience. I still have a can of "Foul Out" foaming cleaner, so I might give it another try.
I must be getting old. I'm still using the Military issue bore cleaner in the green cans. Followed up with LSA for lube. I guess it's a 70's thing.
You are working to hard. get foam wipe out. one pass and clean.
My comment my not apply as I only shoot .30cal. & up , I'm with Fowler I use GI Rife bore cleaner & GI oil. If I get a lot of copper I use sweets 7.62. Works like gangbusters on my grand & my 1903 AR? never owned one. Ray -- Anonymous=no e mail account
I've had very good luck with ammonia for cutting copper out of a bore. I don't have a link but 6, 7 years ago I built an electrolisis cleaner from plans I found on the web using baling wire and shrink tubing. I've had a lot of success with that on several old Mausers and Mosin-Nagants that were pretty crusty when I got them.
I'm probably an environmental and safety Neanderthal for suggesting this, but my brother has used mercury for years to periodically remove stubborn copper and lead fouling. He gloves up and uses a respirator to work with it, but man does it clean that stuff out!
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