barrel cleaning rookie questions

I'm a big fan of WipeOut. Effective, and no effort required. Just let it sit and work. CR10 for the rare barrel that copper fouls badly.

I don't really subscribe to the barrel breakin theory. Any new rifle or barrel gets a thorough cleaning before the first range trip. If it's deemed 'a keeper' after some shooting and load development- one more thorough cleaning and a bore coat. After that, only cleaned if accuracy drops off. Usually takes 500+ rounds, obviously depending on individual barrels.

I prefer to clean rifles as little as possible.
 
your process sounds as good as any. Most importantly, use a bore guide so that you don't damage your throat or get gunk down the mag or trigger well.
 
I bought a new T3X 6.5x55 in stainless this spring and started load development right away. After 3 different bullet weights and some target shooting (about) 100 rounds it was still grouping the same as when I started so decided to clean it with Wipeout to see what I would see. Was pleasantly surprised, almost no copper. Best shooting rifle I’ve had.
 
went and ordered a bore guide and a good cleaning rod. with everyones advice on this thread and too many google hours. ive decided to just clean with a power solvent like hoppes9 and patches between shots for the brake in. i know it won't remove the copper but it will apparently get rid of things the get knocked loose during the first few shots. more aggressive cleaning may be better but id rather do less and not risk screwing it up considering im still pretty green at this. this whole thing has been a way bigger learning curve then i thought it would be but im not complaining. thanks again.
 
jay smith said:
went and ordered a bore guide and a good cleaning rod. with everyones advice on this thread and too many google hours. ive decided to just clean with a power solvent like hoppes9 and patches between shots for the brake in. i know it won't remove the copper but it will apparently get rid of things the get knocked loose during the first few shots. more aggressive cleaning may be better but id rather do less and not risk screwing it up considering im still pretty green at this. this whole thing has been a way bigger learning curve then i thought it would be but im not complaining. thanks again.
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If there is a time when you should be concerned with copper fouling, it is with a new rifle, as new barrels typically foul more.
 
I just want to add a thank you for some of the comments.

I do not break my barrels in but I will buy the copper removing solution. I have learned that .22 cal competition shooters do not use copper jacketed .22s. I bought thousands of copper jacketed CCI .22s that were on sale. I’m curious to see how much blue
Is on those patches.
 
JEC said:
Damage attributed to cleaning occurs only with the use of poor or poor fit equipment and/or bad technique.
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Exactly, I remember when we had FN C1’s and we we’re made to scrub the #### out of it after shooting. I asked about over cleaning the bore and remember a grizzly old chief to me to shut the f-up and scrub :p
 
transumer said:
I just want to add a thank you for some of the comments.

I do not break my barrels in but I will buy the copper removing solution. I have learned that .22 cal competition shooters do not use copper jacketed .22s. I bought thousands of copper jacketed CCI .22s that were on sale. I’m curious to see how much blue
Is on those patches.
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Those .22lr rounds are not jacketed, they are copper washed, and at 22lr velocities, copper fouling isn't an issue.
 
after some reading on the wipe out product i can see why it has such a following. i could see using that for a gentle barrel brake in. some of the brake in info ive found suggests 10 to 20 passes with a brush after each shot.
 
jay smith said:
after some reading on the wipe out product i can see why it has such a following. i could see using that for a gentle barrel brake in. some of the brake in info ive found suggests 10 to 20 passes with a brush after each shot.
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The problem with Wipe Out, is that it is way too slow to use when shooting at the bench. It takes hours to remove the copper that KG-12 will remove in minutes.
 
stubblejumper said:
Those .22lr rounds are not jacketed, they are copper washed, and at 22lr velocities, copper fouling isn't an issue.
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This is fact!!

stubblejumper said:
The problem with Wipe Out, is that it is way too slow to use when shooting at the bench. It takes hours to remove the copper that KG-12 will remove in minutes.
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Once again, Stubble is dead on the money. Wipeout works best when it can sit for a considerable time. KG-12 is very quick to cut copper. Dave.
 
First, when brushing, the brush should not be dragged backwards through the crown. Second, a nylon brush does not really have bristles that are stiff enough to effectively get at copper sticking in the corner of a groove. I understand that some of the serious competitors shooting at national/international level SBR use only bronze phosphor brushes during BI. They are constantly monitoring with a bore scope.
 
that's the thing. some product sponsors that seemingly know what they are doing may be causing more harm then good on multi thousand dollar rifles. i can see why some brands say dont attempt barrel brake in.
 
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