Cleaning Carbon ring / barrel with Thorolean - Some Questions

[CanMike]

So I got the cleaning kit and wondering how clean is too clean.. Should I completely get rid of the carbon ring or just a mild scrub.. I did 2 x 20 passes with the Thoroclean system and got rid of a lot of carbon. BArrell looks much cleaner. Should I keep going?

I think I will do one more pass of 20-30 and see where I am at.

Here are some before and after pics..

Mike

 

[CanMike]

So I managed to run another 40 passes or so.. Barrel came out spotless but I can't get rid of the remnants of the carbon ring. Its much cleaner then it was so I think I am going to leave like this for now.

The carbon is gone from the rifling even from the area where the lands start. Just this ring right before rifling starts.

Mike

 

[TheJeanyus]

Before I went too wild with Thorroclean (it is mildly abrasive after all), I'd soak a bore mop in Boretech C4 and leave it in there for a while.

 

[Hickswr]

I always clean the carbon ring separately before starting on the barrel with Thorroclean. Wet patch of CLR soaking on the carbon ring for 15 min, then spin an over sized bronze brush on the carbon ring BY HAND for about 10 seconds. Proceed to clean barrel with Thorrough clean like normal. Freebore will be as clean as the barrel when you finish and you won’t have ran an extra 40 stroke of abrasive down your barrel.

 

[Baron23]

Might want to read this

For the Love of God, GI Joe and John Wayne.... cleaning and abrasive cleaners

Guys..... This has been beaten to death but you have to watch how your using abrasive cleaners! Here is a 223 barrel with 800 rounds on it. Cleaned after every 75 rounds fired. I know the pitting is from a chemical reaction but I didn't get the whole story. It was cleaned approximately 10-12...

www.snipershide.com

 

[CanMike]

I always clean the carbon ring separately before starting on the barrel with Thorroclean. Wet patch of CLR soaking on the carbon ring for 15 min, then spin an over sized bronze brush on the carbon ring BY HAND for about 10 seconds. Proceed to clean barrel with Thorrough clean like normal. Freebore will be as clean as the barrel when you finish and you won’t have ran an extra 40 stroke of abrasive down your barrel.

I'll try the C4 as I have some on order before entertaining the CLR as I have read a lot of potential issue with it. I am planning on using C4 as my normal maintenance and use the ThoroClean every 300 rounds or so if it looks like it needs it.. Barrell is almost perfect so no need to do more. I stopped once I got 90-95% of the copper out.. Didn't want to overdo it.

I used a Nylon brush as well. Just the carbon ring left.

Mike

 

[CanMike]

I used some Balistol to soak the ring a little and scrubbed with a soft Nylon brush. Waiting on some C4 to come in.. Getting there I think.

MIke

 

[oldrifleman]

I used some Balistol to soak the ring a little and scrubbed with a soft Nylon brush. Waiting on some C4 to come in.. Getting there I think.

MIke

For my rimfires and centerfires that need it I soak an oversized bore mop in c4 and push it into the chamber as far as I can and let it sit for 15-30 min then brush with a nylon brush and if that fails I repeat the process with a brass brush (seldom needed).

 

[CanMike]

Will try that. How quickly does the ring return after it’s been completely removed?

Mike

 

[Hickswr]

I'll try the C4 as I have some on order before entertaining the CLR as I have read a lot of potential issue with it. I am planning on using C4 as my normal maintenance and use the ThoroClean every 300 rounds or so if it looks like it needs it.. Barrell is almost perfect so no need to do more. I stopped once I got 90-95% of the copper out.. Didn't want to overdo it.

I used a Nylon brush as well. Just the carbon ring left.

Mike

I’ve soaked stainless muzzle brakes in concentrate CLR for 24 hrs with zero harm. 15 min on a patch isn’t going to hurt anything. But I also tried C4 first but got tired of scrubbing more and waiting and now go with CLR.

 

[oldrifleman]

Will try that. How quickly does the ring return after it’s been completely removed?

Mike

For my rim fires I have no idea I just do chamber cleaning every third trip or 500 rounds which every comes first. For my center fires I do it every 500 rounds unless I get pressure signs.

 

[TylerN]

I always clean the carbon ring separately before starting on the barrel with Thorroclean. Wet patch of CLR soaking on the carbon ring for 15 min, then spin an over sized bronze brush on the carbon ring BY HAND for about 10 seconds. Proceed to clean barrel with Thorrough clean like normal. Freebore will be as clean as the barrel when you finish and you won’t have ran an extra 40 stroke of abrasive down your barrel.

This method works for me as well.

 

[Turkeytider]

Before I went too wild with Thorroclean (it is mildly abrasive after all), I'd soak a bore mop in Boretech C4 and leave it in there for a while.

That’s what I do. If you clean your rifle barrel regularly, you can stay ahead of carbon build up. You can also avoid the use of abrasives, at least on a regular basis.