Ammo Warning for Mini 30 owners !

[SandRoad]

Going against the grain here, I have never washed, flushed, or Windexed rifles after firing milsurp rounds. I do clean them promptly, typically using MPro-7 on most components plus a bore cleaner for the barrel, and finish up with Eezox on all surfaces.

Never had a hint of rust.

Sometimes, if I don't have time, they don't get cleaned at all, just a spray coating of Eezox, again, never a problem and have been doing this for many, many years.

The only guns that get washed are blackpowder and they are washed because after a practice session of 40 or so rounds, everything is dirty. (Blackpowder, not Pyrodex)

They get washed using a solution of hot water, pinesol and a bit of water soluble cutting oil. The nipples come off and you put breach end into the pail, then you use a patch on a jag and rod like a piston to suck water into the barrel. Easier than pouring water down the barrel and the patch physically removes deposits at the same time.

 

[5440fight]

Get rid of your corrosive ammo stat! I will gladly rid you of this terrible product! Send it to me and I will see that it goes to good use. I've fired thousands of rounds and not a spot. Just clean well with water or windex before normal cleaning and stop the panic. If you have something worth thousands of dollars I could see hesitation, but otherwise- give 'er.

 

[ian_in_vic]

The idea with Windex is to get it on the rifle immediately after firing (ie at the range) then (at home) clean with hot/boiling soapy water, then with normal cleaning products. The Windex will only delay the corrosion, the hot/boiling water removes the salts (hot because it has a greater capacity to dilute the salts)

 

[Gard]

hot because it has a greater capacity to dilute the salts

True but also because any little bit of water that may be left over on the gun will evaporate rapidly thus negating the risk of rust.

 

[heavyBullet]

The idea with Windex is to get it on the rifle immediately after firing (ie at the range) then (at home) clean with hot/boiling soapy water, then with normal cleaning products. The Windex will only delay the corrosion, the hot/boiling water removes the salts (hot because it has a greater capacity to dilute the salts)

Exactly what I do.


This is a great tool I got off PP (a fellow member) to flush the barrel with boiling water.

 

[chopper 1]

Ammonium

Windex has ammonium in it and can cause problems in your rifle

There is neither ammonium nor ammonia in windex . It contains ammonia D which is not ammonia but is a dessicant.
Boiling water is totally unnecessary to dissolve corrosive salts as are any specialized cleaners.
Cold soap and water is the most effective dissolver as proven by extensive tests posted before.
Windex is just soap and water with a dessicant to prevent flash rust.
Boiling water is totally unnecessary work.

 

[BigBadBlair]

Yup. chopper 1 is right.

I've just had a look at 3 MSDSs (Material Safety Data Sheet) for Windex Original, Windex Blue, and Windex No drip with Ammonia D and there is no ammonia in them. It turns out that in 2006 SC Johnson Wax reformulated a lot of their pruducts including Windex to get a better Enviro-green status. Referenced here: http://www.scjohnson.com/family/fam_pre_pre_news.asp?art_id=225

It looks like the cheap stuff from the dollar store has ammonia in it according to the marketing label (this is what I've been using), but it sure doesn't smell like it has ammonia in it.

 

[Holleyman]

There is neither ammonium nor ammonia in windex . It contains ammonia D which is not ammonia but is a dessicant.
Boiling water is totally unnecessary to dissolve corrosive salts as are any specialized cleaners.
Cold soap and water is the most effective dissolver as proven by extensive tests posted before.
Windex is just soap and water with a dessicant to prevent flash rust.
Boiling water is totally unnecessary work.

Boiling the water aids in drying and also loosens lead and copper deposits. I know it isn't required to dissolve the salts but it does help speed up the cleaning process, plus I can have a cup of tea while cleaning.

 

[mquality]

ya all you guys should sell your mini 30's .i have one and i am keeping it.the rifle is made of this wonder product called stainless steel.if any gun could shoot salt ammo this is the one.clean it with hot water, then windex ,then barnes solvent,then oil it and finally grease the bolt points just like your m-14s.i have had zero problems and am in the 4000 range for rounds.i hunt with it plink with it and hike with it.this thing is a part of me and i have other rifles but this one is fun.remember the surplus ammo is salty not acid waiting to consume everything it touchs.proper cleaning goes a long way.enjoy your milsurp ammo at some point it won't be around anymore.

 

[#1bcshooter]

The owner's manual for the Ruger Mini 30 rifle advises:

"Ruger Mini Thirty Rifles are chambered for the 7.62X39mm cartridge, and can use either standard military or factory loaded sporting 7.62X39mm cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practise".

However, there is a very bold warning which reads:

"USE OF CORROSIVELY PRIMED IMPORTED AMMUNITION CAN DAMAGE OR RUIN THIS RIFLE. USE ONLY U.S. COMMERCIALLY MANUFACTURED AMMUNITION".

So there you have it, straight from Ruger. Mini 30 owners may wish to stop using the corrosive Czech 7.62X39 that is around immediately.

Ya right ,Been shooting corrosive ammo out of my stainless mini 30 for yrs ,
"USE ONLY U.S MANUFACTURED AMMO " KISS MY YOU KNOW WHAT !
I'll shoot what ever i want .

 

[leveractionjunkie]

what about issues with the Mini-30 bore being .308 dia as apposed to .310 dia? Any issues come up from that?

 

[bnichols]

I've read Breakfree CLP ("Cleans Lubricates Protects") will neutralize chlorate. I've started using it for regular cleaning but don't use corrosive ammo as a rule so can't vouch for it in that respect.

 

[mquality]

measured my sellier and bellot hunting ammo .3075 on all of it.measured surplus s&b and it averages .307 norinco silver box is .307 .do not see any problem shooting all of it through the mini! nothing i have measures .310?

 

[chopper 1]

Nope

I've read Breakfree CLP ("Cleans Lubricates Protects") will neutralize chlorate. I've started using it for regular cleaning but don't use corrosive ammo as a rule so can't vouch for it in that respect.

clp does not neutralize salt - soap and water removes it most effectively. The salt has to be washed away. Any commercial cleaner touting itself as a corrosive cleaner has been proven as bunk - unless the main ingredient was soap and water !
Water alone is all thats necessary, the soap speeds it up.
The best soap and water is Windex because of the dessicant.

 

[Shelldrake]

Yup. chopper 1 is right.

I've just had a look at 3 MSDSs (Material Safety Data Sheet) for Windex Original, Windex Blue, and Windex No drip with Ammonia D and there is no ammonia in them. It turns out that in 2006 SC Johnson Wax reformulated a lot of their pruducts including Windex to get a better Enviro-green status. Referenced here: http://www.scjohnson.com/family/fam_pre_pre_news.asp?art_id=225

It looks like the cheap stuff from the dollar store has ammonia in it according to the marketing label (this is what I've been using), but it sure doesn't smell like it has ammonia in it.

I think it may be the "Windex with Vinegar", and not the "Windex with Amonia-D" that should be used. The Windex with Vinegar has been used quite awhile with the Blackpowder shooters,, the Windex with Amonia-D being not effective.

 

[loogie33]

i thought one of the requirments the military specified is CLP cleaned up after corrosive ammo?