How soon to clean after shooting corrosive ammo?

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GXW

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A couple of years back, when I bought my first SKS, I went to the range and ran about 100 rounds through it. Then, due to an injury (won't go into details) was unable to clean it up for about 2 weeks after. Yes, it was corrosive ammo.

When I was finally able to get to and give it a good cleaning, there appeared to be no damage from the corrosive redidue sitting in it for 2 weeks.

So, my question is how long does it take for damage to occur on an uncleaned gun and what exactly would the damage look like? Maybe it is damaged and I'm just not seeing it.

Also does humidity play a roll in the corrosion?

Thanks in advance.
 
I've always wondered this too. So I haven't shot the 1440 corrosive 7.62 x 39

Where do you live? Im sure humidity does have a giant factor in it
 
Many of the later issued sks barrels are chrome lined,,(1951-56 I think) so they should be ok. But have you looked inside the gas tubes,, where the piston sits?
Check youtube for the nail test. Rust can start within 24 hrs, and yes Im sure humidity will speed it up. Polished or blued metal parts will slow the rust process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9AyRX58ZHGg
 
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The humidity plays a huge part in how fast it will start rusting, Its best to clean it when your done using it at the end of the day.
 
"Immediately" is best.

ht tp://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/corrosive/

ht tp://www.empirearms.com/clean.htm

ht tp://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu13.htm

ht tp://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/36200-cleaning-after-corrosive-ammo.html
 
If I can't clean it the same day, I will dump water down the barrel and on the gas parts then give it a healthy blast of wd40 to displace the water. Normally I will clean it the same day as I shoot.
 
i had to leave for work shortly after returning form the range and it ended up being 2 weeks until i returned.my rifle had some very nasty rust forming
 
i'd clean as soon as I got home, (so long as I could, an injury sounds like a good enough reason to put it off) rust can start overnight, or not at all. my brothers old place was so dry he'd let his SKS go months without cleaning and it was rust free everytime he took it out. (this is not a risk i'd be willing to take though)
 
Humidity absolutely determines how fast metal exposed to corrosive primer residue will start to pit; water must be present for the reaction to occur. It can start in a few hours in a humid environment, or may not occur at all in a sufficiently dry environment.

Clean as soon as possible with a water-based cleaner: Simple Green, Windex, dish soap and water, TSP, whatever. Dry thoroughly and follow up with oil to protect the metal.
 
A friend of mine once took his SKS to the Range using corrosive ammo and he decided to wait until the next day to clean it, next morning there was surface rust in the Gas Tube. I use only non-Corrosive now in my firearms however regardless of using non-corrosive or corrosive I would always clean my Rifle's as soon as I get home from the Range...just a personal preference.
 
in my sks this winter after 3-4hour i have already some rust so as soon as possible , if you can bring some wd40 and shoot it , that will probably give your some hours
 
Just clean it as soon as you can. It has to be done anyway, there is nothing to be gained by putting it off.

I can't really see the point of this thread.
 
Two weeks ago, I shot a few clip of cz ammo on stripper clip. That stuff is by far more dirty than the surplus 7.62x54r I shot the same day. Both are corrosive, however, after 48h there was surface rust in the chamber of the SKS, but my mosin was clean. I did not take much of a chance and cleaned both of them.
 
Last crate of ammo I had ( polish? Can't remember ) didn't seem to be too bad. A couple days after shooting and it still looked ok. The current russian ammo I have starts rusting within hours. Though it has been quite humid here so I'm sure that has a big part in it. I just clean the gun as soon as I'm done using it now.
 
With the high humidity this year rust will start pretty quickly. Usually by the time I get home and get the SKS on the bench (1.5-2 hrs) there is slight rust forming in the gas tube. In drier years it usually takes over 24 hrs to get to that point. Humidity is the biggest factor.
 
When I was shooting 3 times a week I did not even bother cleaning my 858 when I owned it.

If I left it rust would eventually start to form though.
 
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