How to Get a Barrel Clean ?

[Dreaded Platypus]

Hello all...

I got back into shooting this year and bought a lovely Cynergy.

I shoot skeet twice a week (100-150 rds total) and clean the gun after each outing.

My problem is that I can't seem to get a clean patch.

Here's my routine,

1. Soak a patch with solvent and run it through each barrel twice, (changing the patch each time).

2. Dip a brass brush into solvent and run it through each barrel 4-5 times.

3. Run a solvent soaked patch a couple of more times then 3-4 dry patches until they appear clean.

4. I then run an oiled patch through a couple of times.

No matter what I do the oiled patches always come out dirty.
Even if I run solvent and dry patches through again.

What gives ??
Where does the crud come from??

Is getting a clean patch a unreasonable expectation ??

Thanks for any guidance.

P.S. I make sure I use enough patches to get a comfortably snug fit.

 

[hunter5425]

Try one of the foam cleaners and leave it over night. I use Ed's red for shotguns as the acetone in it cleans out the wad material well, I also add some carb cleaner or GM top engine cleaner to get the carbon out.

 

[ben hunchak]

I think it is the wad material(plastic), that is the main culprit with shotguns that never seem to come clean.

 

[mr.e moose]

Buy a few bore mops.First one use break-free or c-96 for 3 to four passes.Next use spiral brass brush dipped in straight acetone for another 3 to four passes,just be careful not to get it on your stock!!Take 2nd bore mop put two patches over your bore mop and push it through and repeat. Take a clean patch oil lightly and push through with 2nd bore mop.It works for me.

 

[colt45cz75]

Soak the bore with Hoppes No.9. Leave in for about 15-20 minutes. Give the bore about 5 strokes with a Hoppes Tornado brush. Soak a tight fitting patch with No.9 and swab. The bore will be as clean as humanly possible. Give the gun a wipe with Break Free CLP and you're done.

 

[Ol' Flinter]

After 45 years of cleaning trap and skeet guns I determined it is mostly plastic wad fouling that leaves a persistent residue - you can usuaklly see it as a dull area on the otherwise shiny bore - especially in the choke area. The Hoppes' Tornado brush cleans that out very effectively. After that, there isn't any corrosive residue remaining so a squirt with G-96, WD-40 or one of the other lubes and a pass with a swab is all you need. If you use Hoppes No. 9 be aware that it contains di-nitro toluene ( a near chemical relative of TNT) which passes through your skin and into the bloodstream very easily so wear rubber gloves when using that stuff. For a long time I used to get a headache half an hour after cleaning my guns with No. 9 and wondered why until I took Biochemistry in university...

 

[Dreaded Platypus]

Thanks to all - some great suggestions !

 

[SandRoad]

The Hoppes' Tornado brush cleans that out very effectively.

Thanks, haven't seen the Tornado brush before, will be picking up a couple.

And yes, I too have found that it is generally the plastic that builds up and is tough to remove. I have also used Shooter's Choice Bore Cleaner, but it has many similar chemicals to Hoppe's and others.