Cleaning your bore can be just as important as choosing the right bullet and powder for your accurate rifle.
The equipment one needs is basic. A rod, bore brush, jag, solvent and patches are all that is needed. Four or five passes with a wet brush then half a dozen patches to dry the bore and we’re done, right? The rifling looks sharp and the bore shiny but is it really clean? It may be clean enough. In fact, most big game rifles are cleaned this way once a year and shoot great for a lifetime. That new hot rod varmint rifle that prints dime size groups may not be as forgiving. Each bullet leaves a microscopically thin layer of copper behind.
Removing Copper
This copper is deposited down the length of the barrel however most is in the first third of rifling. Regular powder solvents won’t remove this copper. Solvents using ammonia are needed and specify, “copper remover”. Some popular products are, Sweets, Hoppes Bench Rest, and Shooter’s Choice Copper Remover. Follow directions on the bottle paying close attention to the maximum time to be left in the bore, as the ammonia can damage steel if left in too long. Patience is in order here. The directions will say, “Repeat as necessary.” But what they really mean is repeat, repeat, repeat. The copper from a few hundred rounds can take up to 8 hours to remove. The copper from one shot can take 30 minutes to an hour to remove. So be prepared.
Barrel break in is as simple as decoppering after each shot for as many shots as you can stand. Five to ten is usually sufficient for new barrels.
Before you start your first decoppering job you need to assemble the following equipment: a well ventilated area, vise or rack to secure gun, a one piece coated cleaning rod, plenty of patches, clock or timer and proper jag.
Feel free to call or come by with any questions. Our staff will be happy to help get you started. Have fun and remember there is some satisfaction from getting the copper out, not to mention better accuracy.
