corrosive?

[dbarn]

Ballitstol. I use a 50/50 mix with water at the range and use it full strength with a normal cleaning at home. One of the few products that will emulsify with water instead of seperating. The black powder folks also like it. Have had excellent results w/o using hot water. hth.

[Arisaka Hunter]

I use a 50/50 mix of ammonia and water at the range and finish up normally at home with Hoope's #9. Thats been working well for some time now for my Mosin-Nagant.

[EPR16]

How can you tell if you have corrosive ammo?

[Pattern14]

EPR16
Don't clean it after shooting, wait a couple of weeks, and look down the barrel. If it looks like the Amazon rain forest inside- it's corrosive.

A lot of corrosive ammunition today is military surplus or stuff from countries I have trouble spelling.

Actually, don't worry if it's corrosive, just make sure you flush the barrel with hot water after shooting, let it dry and oil it. You'll be fine and the barrel will appreciate and love you for it.

[EPR16]

Pattern14,

Thanks for the advice. Please forgive the silly question but I have never flushed a barrel of any gun with water. Is there a proper way so I don't damage parts? I assume I should remove the bolt and use a funnel and pour from the bolt end and exit the barrel?

Just want to make sure I am not missing something since I am new to all this.

Thanks again

Aaron

EPR16
Don't clean it after shooting, wait a couple of weeks, and look down the barrel. If it looks like the Amazon rain forest inside- it's corrosive.

A lot of corrosive ammunition today is military surplus or stuff from countries I have trouble spelling.

Actually, don't worry if it's corrosive, just make sure you flush the barrel with hot water after shooting, let it dry and oil it. You'll be fine and the barrel will appreciate and love you for it.

[Pattern14]

Is there a proper way so I don't damage parts? I assume I should remove the bolt and use a funnel and pour from the bolt end and exit the barrel?

That's how it's done. I have a funnel with a long neck that fits into the receiver and takes the place of the bolt. I made it with a plastic funnel and a length of 1/2" diameter PVC pipe. When you pour just make sure you do it slowly otherwise the water will go everywhere. If the water is hot enough the barrel will dry quickly and when it cools you can clean normally.

[EPR16]

That's how it's done. I have a funnel with a long neck that fits into the receiver and takes the place of the bolt. I made it with a plastic funnel and a length of 1/2" diameter PVC pipe. When you pour just make sure you do it slowly otherwise the water will go everywhere. If the water is hot enough the barrel will dry quickly and when it cools you can clean normally.

Perfect, big thanks! I know exactly which funnel I will use. I have one that I use for my motorcycle which is curved and will fit great.

[jmoore]

A lost chore skill that was promptly forgotten, it seems, in the 1960's (as far as the USA goes...). Darn shame because it's quite easy.

I can't begin to tell you how many otherwise fantastic rifles I've seen in the past 20 years that have newly RUINED bores due to missing this little cleaning task...


This "EVEEL" corrosive residue is by and large nothing more than potassium cloride- the "heart healthy" salt substitute sold at the grociers.


Completely and easily dissolved by plain old H2O.


Additives may help to "wet" the bore surface.


OIL WON'T HELP YOU HERE!............................................. . Rant mode OFF...

[RobSmith]

I shoot corrosive exclusively in my Nagants, and only clean with regular old Break-Free CLP. Never had any issues.

[buddyjaet]

Shot many a round of corrosive milsurp ammo, cheapest thing to do at the range is bring a bottle of Windex or similar cleaner, when you are done for the day and the barrel has cooled a bit! Verify a Clear and Safe Weapon then just pour some down the barrel, I have also put my finger on the end of the barrel poured down the breach and shook it a bit. Just the really funny stares you get from others on the range tend to minimize that action. Of course you can wet a cloth patch and run it down the barrel as well. A good cleaning when you get home is a MUST. Now if you have the time of course break it down and clean it while you are at the range if that is possible or allowed.

A clean weapon is a reliable weapon!