Which solvent for corrosive ammo?

[Bob K]

If I remember correctly, there are two different solvents that was used by the military to clean the barrels; one is dark brown and the other is milky white. Can you tell me which one is for corrosive ammo; or are they both for corrosive ammo? Or am I delirious and totally mistaken.

Information

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[jmoore]

I've used both, either seems to be fine. The dark is the newer type. The milky stuff seems WWIIish.

Alternatively, running hot water or a water based cleaner through the bore first is the least toxic and stinky way of doing the job. Just procede w/ normal cleaning after the water.

The corrosive salt is potassium chloride, which is altogether water soluble. And a "heart healthy"- salt (sodium chloride) substitute.

[enfield303t]

Bob. I have been using Wipe Out, Hoppes No 9 and G96 and have decided to also use Windex. Will use a good dose of Windex first then the other three as listed. Possibly overkill but I actually enjoy cleaning guns. Have also been somtimes "shooting" Wipe Out in the barrel before leaving the range just to be more careful. Buy some cheap balloons and put one over the muzzle to prevent it running out but keep the tip of the barrel down so you don't get it running out of the chamber. Also on very wet days have cleaned the gun at the range. Hard to believe just how dirty milsurp ammo can be as last week shot a CZ 7.62 X 39 bolt action that a friend loaned me and it took forever to get it perfectly clean.

[ballbags]

Water warm or cold
Preferably warm

[Johnny Peppers]

Water is best to dissolve the potassium chloride, and Windex works because it is 90/95% water.

[Dr342]

Water is best to dissolve the potassium chloride, and Windex works because it is 90/95% water.

This what I use as well, followed up with compressed air.

[Charlie59]

I use Hoppes' No. 9, for everything.

[KarlKW]

I use Hoppes' No. 9, for everything.

If I recall correctly, Hoppes is fine for all new, non-corrosive primer ammunition, however, it does NOT dissolve the salts that were used in pre-1952? corrosive primer ammunition. If you are shooting corrosive primer ammunition, you should be cleaning with either the old USGI solvents from the same era, or be using very hot soapy water, to clean your rifle. You obviously need to make sure that all of the water is removed, and that the barrel, bore, and other metal parts are oiled, before storage. World War II guidance had soldiers cleaning their M1's for three consecutive days after firing with corrosive primer ammunition. HTH, KarlKW

[chumney]

I use a mixture of Windex, hydrogen perioxide and Simple Green. A quart is made up with a sixteen ounce bottle of perioxide, a tablespoon of simple green and the rest windex. Also, another solution I have used instaed of windex I use ammonia and windshield washer fluid. This is one tablespoon of ammonia into a quart of windshield washer fluid. These are mostly water, Both will remove salts and start removing both cardon and copper. The first one is better as it will get into the pores of the metal better. I use them while the barrel is still warm and let sit for about five minutes before running a dry patch through the boe to dry. Then use your favorite bore cleaner to remove the other deposits. Be careful with both on the finish and bluing of the firearm as the finish and bluing will be affected by the solutions containing ammonia.

[albert]

I have fired over nearly 4000 rounds of 5,45x39 1970s Russian thru an AK I have. All of it has been corrosive. I clean with straight Ballistol and have never had corrosion issues. Many black powder shooters uses the stuff also mixed with water. It forms a milky mixture that doesn't spearate out. You need to be especially careful in areas that become hot and dry from oil during firing, like the operating rod.