Cleaning Kit for Reuger Air Hawk .177 Cal Cleaning Kit?

philhut

philhut

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I have cleaning supplies for all of my larger rifles, and while the bore in this rifle is as reflective as when I bought it 10 years ago. I have never cleaned this rifle and think its just about time as specks of rust are forming on the barrel (was kept in the original box in the hayloft for pigeon duty).

What cleaning kit? equip do you use?

not looking to do anything fancy just some sort of pull thru. Anytime I have been in the store .177 seems to be incredibly overpriced or incomplete. hoping to spend less than or equal to the cleaning supplied i have for my 8mm and 7.62 collection
 
A lot of airgunners don't clean their bores until accuracy falls off. Do not use brass brushes or uncoated metal cleaning rods as airgun barrels are made of softer metal than PB barrels. Don't use solvents as they can damage the seals.

The most economical way to clean the bore without damaging it, is to make a pull-through with weed whacker line. With a piece 24" or so long, make one end sharp and pointy and the other end a little flattened (so it kinda looks like a nail head) so that it will still go through the bore. Put a patch on the line by piercing it with the sharp end, pull it down to the other end and then pull it through the bore from the breach. Put some Ballistol or something similar that won't damage the seals and pull it through a few times.
 
Cool that's great advice and I have all that stuff at home. Saved me some $

The ruger is a pretty efficient pigeon weapon, it's dropped hundreds of pigeons with the regular lead hourglass shot. The scope it came with was garbage but the rifle is excellent.
 
Solvents do not damage the seals. This is advice that was never tested. Someone finally tested that extensively and posted the results on another site. I've been using solvents in my springers this past year without any issues. Clean away!
 
WolfyW said:
Solvents do not damage the seals. This is advice that was never tested. Someone finally tested that extensively and posted the results on another site. I've been using solvents in my springers this past year without any issues. Clean away!
Click to expand...
No solvents on my HW or FWB seals, EVER.
If you are careful and just do the barrel (if it is rusty) and avoid the breach seal a solvent will be OK
Just stay away from anything containing Acetone, or anything like, eg. Brake Kleene.
I don't think you will find any Powder burner solvents(Hoppes,etc.) in a Match airgun, shooters kit.
 
WolfyW said:
Solvents do not damage the seals. This is advice that was never tested. Someone finally tested that extensively and posted the results on another site. I've been using solvents in my springers this past year without any issues. Clean away!
Click to expand...

Solvents cannot damage seals? That they can and do is winnowed wisdom and hardly folklore. Where are those alleged "results on another site"? Without further corroboration, the statement above is itself nothing more that the proverbial "advice that was never tested". In fact it's nothing more than an unfounded contention. Perusal of airgun forums reveals a broad consensus that solvents can and do harm seals, despite someone's less than year-long observations. Prudence and common sense says to never rely on the unverified assertion that "someone finally tested that extensively" and therefore that's all the proof that is required.

For a more broadly based answer, one founded on an airgunning community's experience, post a thread on an airgun forum asking about using solvents on airgun seals. Here, try this one http://www.airgunforum.ca/forums/
 
grauhanen said:
Solvents cannot damage seals? That they can and do is winnowed wisdom and hardly folklore. Where are those alleged "results on another site"? Without further corroboration, the statement above is itself nothing more that the proverbial "advice that was never tested". In fact it's nothing more than an unfounded contention. Perusal of airgun forums reveals a broad consensus that solvents can and do harm seals, despite someone's less than year-long observations. Prudence and common sense says to never rely on the unverified assertion that "someone finally tested that extensively" and therefore that's all the proof that is required.

For a more broadly based answer, one founded on an airgunning community's experience, post a thread on an airgun forum asking about using solvents on airgun seals. Here, try this one http://www.airgunforum.ca/forums/
Click to expand...

^^^^^

Oh, Canadian Airgun Forum. Figures. I never go there, too many rude hotheads. And it appears this site is headed that way, too, unfortunately.

www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=92999.0
 
Straight from Hoppe's Web site..

"No. 9 Synthetic Blend Bore Cleaner
Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Bore Cleaner is especially designed for the modern firearm and is built on the great tradition started by Frank Hoppe in 1903.

Superior removal of carbon, lead, and copper fouling
Safe on anodized aluminum, titanium, steel, chrome, nickel, plastic, polycarbonate and rubber
Same great traditional Hoppe’s 9 smell
Biodegradable / Non-flammable"

http://www.hoppes.com/bore-cleaners/no-9-ultimate-synthetic-bore-cleaner
 
I have been using Hoppe's solvent in my springer barrels for seven years with no problems. I have a couple spare breach seals that I am going to soak in Hoppe's for a month just to see what happens. I will post the results.Then I will soak them for a year for the folks that aren't satisfied with a month long bath.
 
And fact of the matter is, in a springer like the OP mentioned, the breech seal can be popped out with a soft tool like a guitar pick etc. if one is in doubt. Easy!
 
I tip my hat to you, WolfyW. I'm sure the Hoppes No. 9 gets rid of not only all the lead but all the carbon and copper fouling anyone could possible find in an airgun. If someone uses Hoppes and a brass brush in his Weihrauch, FWB, AA, Daystate, FX or other quality air rifles, that's great. It would be even better if Hoppes is used only in Crosman and other similar Chinese air rifles. In any event, as Flyr notes above, you won't find anyone serious about airguns and their maintenance with Hoppes in his kit.
 
Crimson Starling said:
I have been using Hoppe's solvent in my springer barrels for seven years with no problems. I have a couple spare breach seals that I am going to soak in Hoppe's for a month just to see what happens. I will post the results.Then I will soak them for a year for the folks that aren't satisfied with a month long bath.
Click to expand...

Excellent! Looking forward to the result either way. And in all fairness open to pics of the damaged seals eluded to over the years.
 
"you won't find anyone serious about airguns and their maintenance with Hoppes in his kit."

I'm serious about airguns and maintenance (after over 40 years in the shooting sports, which includes airguns). I could give a rip what the crowd does. Never have. Do what works for you, and I'll continue to use, and suggest Hoppes, knowing my seals are just fine and the lead is getting dissolved.
 
Anyone who desires to use Hoppes in his air rifle should not be swayed by this post.

For those who may doubt the need for lead dissolving solvents, you are not alone. A quick search reveals the following:

http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/blo...-get-much-easier-than-a-napier-pull-thru.html
http://www.network54.com/Forum/7953...+solvent+when+cleaning+air+rifle+barrel-bore-
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=43268.0
http://www.airgunmagazine.co.uk/features/scrubbing-up/
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2005/04/how-should-i-clean-my-airgun-barrel/
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2005/11/is-your-airgun-barrel-really-clean/
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2006/01/cleaning-airgun-barrels-the-stuff-you-need-to-know/
http://benchrest.com/archive/index.php/t-67001.html
http://www.pilkguns.com/arch/arch110.htm

Even AirForce's owner's manual eschews use of solvents https://www.airforceairguns.com/v/vspfiles/assets/manuals/AF_TexanManual0515v2.pdf

Match airgun competitors often clean their bores only infrequently. Dealers don't stock nor recommend use of solvents because they are not needed with air rifles. Match shooters often use VFG Felt Barrel Cleaners. See, for example, https://www.tesro.ca/vfg-felt-pellets-for-air-gun-cleaning.html

If anyone wants to use solvents like Hoppes, please do so.
 
airgun barrels are softer and that is why a brass brush is not generally recommended. solvents are not good for leather breech seals but i havent had any problems when cleaning up vintage springers, all though i would only be doing that once. rubber seals obviously wont be hurt, but i wouldnt be over doing it anyways

i have used nitro solvents to clean the old lead and a general shine of the bore. there isnt any combustion so i wouldnt think you have to worry about carbon

there is generally not a need to regularily clean the barrels of airguns, maybe after fourty years lol. in fact some claim that they preform a better with some lead in the bore. light rust different story...
 
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