The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Phosphor bronze is used because it's softer than barrel steel so won't abrade the bore, and slightly harder than copper. It will mechanically remove copper fouling, but only by a microscopic amount. It's best used in conjunction with something like Bisley Bore cleaner, which is mildly ammoniacal. I've never actually heard of a phosphor brush causing any wear to a crown. Compared to a tight fitting hot lump of copper and lead passing through it 850+ m/sec, I can't see it having any effect at all.
What is JBS paste made from? Presumably there's an abrasive in there somewhere.

Hauptman

Hauptman wrote:Phosphor bronze is used because it's softer than barrel steel so won't abrade the bore, and slightly harder than copper. It will mechanically remove copper fouling, but only by a microscopic amount. It's best used in conjunction with something like Bisley Bore cleaner, which is mildly ammoniacal. I've never actually heard of a phosphor brush causing any wear to a crown. Compared to a tight fitting hot lump of copper and lead passing through it 850+ m/sec, I can't see it having any effect at all.
What is JBS paste made from? Presumably there's an abrasive in there somewhere.

Hauptman

i would say you go right ahead and use a boresnake/pullthrough then , personally i will continue to use a coated rod with a spear tip jag/bronze cored brush and a quality bore guide and clean from the breech forward and the occasional use of jb paste (i don't know the ingredients but i'm sure you could search them out) this will prevent any uneven wear of the crown which is pretty critical as it's the last thing to affect the bullet on it's way to the target.

just a thought but doesn't a boresnake get dragged through the unlean bore first before the bristles can do there work ? so surely the 'cord' picks up contaminants which could make it abrasive? and unles you can absolutly guarantee pulling it perfectly straight from the muzzle then surely it will abraid one side more than the other as it exits?

dewey kit is very good by the way.

R

Used properly, the bore-snake pull doesn't touch the crown at all...

tackb wrote:boresnakes are 'ok' for a scattergun but i would never put one anywhere near any of my rifles!

Good enough for umpteen million number 4s.

Yes they were , but in fairness they were never a precision weapon even in sniper guise and cleaning has moved on

Conversly, speaking with a proper time served gunsmith with some 45 years experience, reckons one of the biggest problems today is that so many people "over clean" their bores.....

You could be right and it's about striking a balance I think ?

For ultimate accuracy you should look to the benchrest shooters and see what they do cleaning wise ?

As I have a life I prefer to be doing other stuff than cleaning but am aware that my bore needs to be cleaned so I do it as quickly as I can with the minimum of fuss but without causing any damage as far as I'm aware.

TackB - I have a pot of bore paste here but I doubt I have ever used it. What is your cleaning process with it?

tackb wrote:
For ultimate accuracy you should look to the benchrest shooters and see what they do cleaning wise ?

I think you'll find the same blend of hocus-pocus-stickit-up-ya-jumper type mystical pseudo-science about cleaning potions whichever set of shooters you talk to. Benchrest people have their own beliefs and customs, I can see no reason to believe they are any 'righter' than anyone else. In my (somewhat cynical perhaps :roll: ) view - they are even more likely to spend a fortune on unnecessary gunk.


I'll get me coat.

Sim G wrote:Conversly, speaking with a proper time served gunsmith with some 45 years experience, reckons one of the biggest problems today is that so many people "over clean" their bores.....

Yep same goes for their houses and their kids.
Your bore has to get used to the muck left by the ammo so it can build up a proper immunity.
A recent report suggests that over-cleaning the barrel can cause bullet allergies......... :lol: