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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:21 pm Post subject: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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Is it possible to get the bore of an old Military 8mm Mauser clean ???
My dad picked one up for shooting informal matches at the club he belongs to. The overall condition of this gun is rather good and all original.
Trying to get the bore clean has proved to be a real PIA !!!
He has gone through 3 or 4 brushes, used the standard bore cleaners, a bottle kroil and has even tried some black powder solvent thinking that might work due to the military ammo being corrosive. I can only imagine how many patches he's gone through.
I know there's some guys and a gal (hi Suzy !!! ) here that have messed with these and other old military firearms ........ got any secrets or tricks that might work ???
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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Aloysius Super Member
Joined: Nov 03, 2009 Posts: 2440 Location: B., Belgium
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:25 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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Did you already shoot 'm?
And remember: it not always have to shine to be a good shooter.
On the S-A-forum they gave a method using a wire and some batteries. I didn't use it myself, but it seems to give good results. If nobody here uses that method then I will try to find the link.
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Elvis Super Member
Joined: Jul 27, 2008 Posts: 9261 Location: south island New Zealand
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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boil the jug put barrel over the sink or bath tub and pour boiling water down the bore, you may need a funnel to do this. that is how we used to clean the crap out of the old .303 then give a good normal cleaning. if that doesnt work try filling bore with CRC 5.56 overnight and scrub out with a bronze brush, that worked wonders on my mates 6.5x55 that was dull az beforehand and quite good afterwards.
_________________ You shot it You pluck it !
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shrpshtrjoe Super Red Neck Member
Joined: Jan 26, 2005 Posts: 2965 Location: Maryland
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Ominivision1 Super Member
Joined: Sep 20, 2010 Posts: 2984 Location: Iowa
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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I Use the boiling hot water method 1st as Elvis mentioned above, as this seems to soften the powder carbon deposits and swab out with hoppes #9. If you have copper deposits, get some chore boy copper pads and use them. If that fails, mix equal parts White vinegar and Hydrogen peroxide.
Plug your barrel and pore it in. Guaranteed to remove lead and other deposits and it will not harm your barrel. I have used it for 15 years and never had any problems. If you do not think it will work, mix some up in a small cup and drop in a lead bullet....it will turn to black goo at bottom of cup.
You will see the chemical reaction to the lead as soon as you drop it in. A 357 bullet will almost completely dissolve in 24 hours and leading in barrels is not that thick. I normally let it stand in the barrel for about 30 minutes then wipe clean and give it a boiling hot water bath and clean with #9 and a coating of oil.
It is safe and easy to use with ready available components.
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inthedark Super Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 Posts: 917 Location: Ontario
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:19 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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Here is a website for Ed's Red Bore Cleaner:
www.handloads.com/arti...t.asp?id=9
The instructions are also on the site. It works very well in cleaning out the carbon and the lead. The lead will come out looking like grey tar so use some examination gloves on your hands. Good luck.
Chimo
ITD
_________________ Chimo
Ron
War is sweet to those who have no experience of it, but the experienced man trembles exceedingly at heart on its approach - Pindar 518-438 BC
Be Copy now of Men of Grosser Blood and TEACH THEM HOW TO WAR |
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Dawgdad Super Member
Joined: Feb 08, 2006 Posts: 1065 Location: On the Prairie
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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I fit is shooting well I would not worry about it... when accuracy is poor I will use Hoppes #9 with a 24 hour soak and if that does not help I go to JB paste.
_________________ Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency... |
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Dawgdad Super Member
Joined: Feb 08, 2006 Posts: 1065 Location: On the Prairie
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:54 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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oh yeah, Butches bore shine and Kroil 1:1 before the #9 soak.
_________________ Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency... |
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Joe Boleo Super Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2006 Posts: 427 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 7:00 am Post subject: It depends |
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If the bore is damaged from shooting and not properly cleaning it after using corrosive military ammo, it may not clean up. I agree with these folks, shoot the rifle and see how it performs. I have used brushes and J B Bore Cleaner along with Remington Bore Cleaner and noticed some improvement in bore condition. If all else fails, either rebarrel the rifle or trade it for one with a better bore. So it depends. Take care...
Joe
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coyotehunter_1 Member
Joined: Jan 25, 2005 Posts: 319 Location: Tennessee (USA)
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 7:50 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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Some of those old battle rifles have seen a hard life but may still be good shooters. Like said before... shoot it.
When all else fails you may want to give GOJO® Orange Pumice Hand Cleaner a try. My gunsmith recommended it and no kidding it does work. Use the hand cleaner on a bore swab, it works like JB bore paste. After swabbing the bore, rinse well using hot water, then dry and lightly oil.
One word of caution: The citric acid used in the orange cleaner can also remove rust, some colored case hardening and gun blue, so be careful around the finish.
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Suzanne Super Member
Joined: Jun 27, 2009 Posts: 3323 Location: Eugene, Oregon
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 8:09 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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Chambered!! I've used the reverse electroplating method with very good results. This is part ll of a how-to article about it. The barrel could have rust or pitting in the grooves which make it appear dirty too. Anyway I've used it on several old military rifles, you might have to do it several times along with some scrubbing. Afterwards Kroil and JB paste the snot out of it. You can build your own system easily (just look around the internet) with a battery some jumper cables a rod and such.
I don't think I ever got better than 2" groups @ 100yds out of my old Mauser even after scoping it, but it's barrel looks bright and newish inside. Also did a Mosin that way and I recommend the method for sure. You can see the metal buildup on the sacrificial rod and you get a lot of other gunk out of there too.
Here's a video
good luck!
Suz
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slimjim Super Member
Joined: May 16, 2009 Posts: 8316 Location: Fort Worth TX
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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shrpshtrjoe wrote: |
Try some sweets . That stuff is potent |
So potent it can damage the barrel. Try leaving Bore Tech cleaner in it for a couple of days. I stop the barrel with clay with a sheet of Handy/Cling Wrap between it and the barrel and just let it soak. Let time do the work.
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44marty Super Member
Joined: Mar 20, 2009 Posts: 775 Location: Cheshire, MA; USA
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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Suzanne wrote: |
I don't think I ever got better than 2" groups @ 100yds out of my old Mauser even after scoping it
Suz |
I guess that I have been very lucky with the rifles I have bought, and this has made me just too fussy. I will not consider keeping a rifle that groups over 1" at 100 yards (even though a 4" group would be fine for deer in the thick stuff- shorter ranges - where I hunt).
Back on topic - that JB bore paste seems to be the way to go. All the shooters whose opinions I value recommend it.
So far, my rifles all clean up nicely with Hoppes #9, but I clean often and never let fouling build up.
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:08 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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Thanks for all the tips and ideas !!!
I like the idea of the vinegar and peroxide mix..... already have it so we'll probably give it a try first.
This thing seems to have more of an issue with powder fouling than copper build up.
Most bore cleaners today focus more so on copper fouling, I think that's why some guys still prefer good old #9
Gotta look around....... I think I've got some of the original stuff somewhere here.
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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fnuser Super Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2008 Posts: 914 Location: S.W. Missouri, U.S.A.
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Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:13 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning a old military rifle !!! |
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JB and Sweets with a really good cleaning between if it is as dark as some I have seen the JB will brighten it up, but you better pack a lunch.
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