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copper fouling & 10% ammonia

rp85
hello;

purchased a mauser rifle with severe copper fouling. tried all the normal cleaning methods. give up trying to remove all the copper.

got some 10% ammonia solution. use a wet patch with ammonia and let sit in the barrel for 5 min., removed ammonia with barrel cleaning fluid. removed a good bit of copper, but still some copper in barrel.

is there harm in repeating the process in 5 min. steps until all the copper is removed.

thanks for any input.

rp
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • mark christian
    10% is safe and can be left in the barrel for up to around 10 minutes. Ammonia in that strength is very hard on steel so don't leave it for a long soaking! Typically two applications of ammonia removes all of the copper that is likely to come away chemically. Then old USGI method of ammonia doping is more effective but needs concentrations of ammonia much higher as well as other chemicals and special safety precautions which make it impractical for household use. If you still have fouling after the second application with 10% ammonia then you'll need to go after the copper electronically with an Outers Foul Out.
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  • jonk
    Either Outers Foaming Bore Cleaner or Wipeout. I've used those after having 'removed' all the copper with ammonia, Sweets, or similar products, and after a few hours of soaking (safe with these products) blue splooge just oozed out of the barrel.
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  • coledigger4
    When you speak of using ammonia for cleaning barrels, is Clorox what is being referred too or would I need to buy actual ammonia? Sorry for butting in but I have a few very old rifles that I would like to try something on. The rifling just doesn't look as crisp, for lack of a better word, as I think it should.
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  • Ambrose
    Clorox is bleach, not ammonia. For Heavens sake DO NOT MIX THEM!! You will release clorine gas--one of the WWI poison gasses.
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    "The rifling just doesn't look as crisp, for lack of a better word, as I think it should."..........no amount of 'cleaning' will help a worn bore, copper fouling will not make a bore look 'un-crisp'.
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by coledigger4
    When you speak of using ammonia for cleaning barrels, is Clorox what is being referred too or would I need to buy actual ammonia? Sorry for butting in but I have a few very old rifles that I would like to try something on. The rifling just doesn't look as crisp, for lack of a better word, as I think it should.


    Chlorox is chlorine bleach, not ammonia. The chemical formulation for amonia is NH3...it has 3 hydrogen atoms, that is pretty effective on removing most oxides. I believe that if you leave it no longer than 5 minutes or so you will be ok, but second the motion that you need to use reverse electrolysis to get the copper out.In otherwords, the Outer's foul out.

    Best
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  • gunnut505
    After you've tried all the other recipes for removing copper chemically, and are still dissatisfied; try a dab of JB Bore Paste on an oiled, tight-fitting patch. Follow the directions on the jar EXACTLY, or be ready for disappointment.
    When that's done, plug the muzzle/breech end (whichever is easier), fill bore with 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar and let it set undisturbed overnight. Drain the bore and run a tight patch. Blue? Do it again, longer; and always use JB paste beforehand.
    Always lubricate afterwards.
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  • coledigger4
    Okay, obviously 'crisp' was the wrong word. I will try your other suggestions though. I won't be using Clorox for sure but will look for ammonia and try it. I have tried a few type of solvent but they don't seem to be getting the rifling cleaned up as much as I would like.
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