Suggestions for removing rust from inside barrel?
- Thread starter AJR337
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The least destructive standby is #0000 steel wool and gun oil. Put a tuft of steel wool in a slotted tip cleaning rod.
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First I'd soak it in Hoppes 9. After that, the 0000 steel wool is an option. After that, I'd run a few patches with Flitz on them down the barrel to do two things. One is to remove any residual steel wool to avoid future rusting and the other to polish the barrel. After you are satisfied that the rust is gone and the barrel is in good shape, I'd not be shy about running a bunch of well soaked oil patches through to leave a light coating on it.
After sitting for about a week, I'd run a phosphor bronze brush down the barrel a few times and then clean with patches and your favorite solvent or CLP. Oil afterwards if using a solvent. That should be it. This will insure anything coming out of the metal after the initial treatment is gone.
After sitting for about a week, I'd run a phosphor bronze brush down the barrel a few times and then clean with patches and your favorite solvent or CLP. Oil afterwards if using a solvent. That should be it. This will insure anything coming out of the metal after the initial treatment is gone.
kwill1911
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Shoot it, then clean it.
OP
AJR337
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Shoot it before trying to clean the rust out?
kwill1911
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Yes
Only my opinion. But I would solvent/bore brush until all the loose stuff was off and SHOOT Jacketed bullets through it. If that doesn't do it, I'd put a little metal polish right on the bullet above the neck of the case. Or spread a very tiny amount in the bore near the chamber Once I got it clean, I'd let a coat of preservative sit on it a while. Maybe some oil and/or CLP.
dfariswheel
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Firing a bullet through a rusty bore can destroy the gun, depending on how much rust is there.
This is essentially firing a bullet through an obstructed bore.
Too much rust and you get anything from a bulge, ring, or blown barrel. Even with lighter rust pressure soars.
Here's a professional way...
Flood the bore with Kroil and let soak a day or so to soften the rust.
Use a new bore brush to make 5 to 10 passes through the bore, applying Kroil every few passes.
If the rust is heavy, use a stainless steel bore brush. This is the only time to ever use a stainless brush, they can damage the bore.
Use Kroil and JB Bore Paste to do the final clean.
Once done the bore will be in as good of condition as it's going to be.
Using abrasive coated bullets will mostly affect the throat, not the rest of the bore.
Don't make the mistake some people do, which is to spin a brush with a drill in the bore.
This is a valid technique for SMOOTH BORE guns, but it will ruin a rifled bore quickly.
Once the rust is out what you have is what you get, which will be a frosty looking bore with fine pitting.
"Removing" the pitting is not possible since that would require significant metal removal and a badly oversized bore.
This is essentially firing a bullet through an obstructed bore.
Too much rust and you get anything from a bulge, ring, or blown barrel. Even with lighter rust pressure soars.
Here's a professional way...
Flood the bore with Kroil and let soak a day or so to soften the rust.
Use a new bore brush to make 5 to 10 passes through the bore, applying Kroil every few passes.
If the rust is heavy, use a stainless steel bore brush. This is the only time to ever use a stainless brush, they can damage the bore.
Use Kroil and JB Bore Paste to do the final clean.
Once done the bore will be in as good of condition as it's going to be.
Using abrasive coated bullets will mostly affect the throat, not the rest of the bore.
Don't make the mistake some people do, which is to spin a brush with a drill in the bore.
This is a valid technique for SMOOTH BORE guns, but it will ruin a rifled bore quickly.
Once the rust is out what you have is what you get, which will be a frosty looking bore with fine pitting.
"Removing" the pitting is not possible since that would require significant metal removal and a badly oversized bore.
I have several old solid steel sectional cleaning rods in different diameters I got while in the Army. I mount the appropriate one on one of my drills and attach a slightly oversize metal bore brush. I dip the brush in rifle bore cleaner and then pass it in both directions through the barrel 8 or 10 passes and then re-dip and repeat many times. Every 20 or 30 passes I use patches on a hand-held rod to swab it out. You must remember to stop the drill when you come to both ends of each cycle. This is an industrial-level technique I developed to restore sewer-pipe level military surplus rifle barrels to shootable condition. This works on the worst rust imaginable. Not for the feint of heart or for minor clean-up of a collectible firearm. This is a real 'bet you can never shoot that one' sure bet-winner.
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