Alcohol in bore maintenance

[In Over My Head]

For those of you that use alcohol to dry the bore after cleaning it with water or for cleaning out your rust preventative before the first shot after storage: What form of alcohol are you using?

 

[Grenadier1758]

I use the 91% rubbing alcohol. That tiny bit of water isn't enough to make a difference on the water displacement and I want the alcohol to dissolve the remaining lubricating oils in the barrel.

 

[In Over My Head]

Thanks for the reply Grenadier1758.

I came back to this post to delete it after seeing alcohol extensively discussed in the "Bore anti-rust formula" thread. But I guess this thread has already sprung to life!

 

[tranders]

I use Heet fuel line deicer or denatured alcohol.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I use Heet fuel line deicer or denatured alcohol.

Same... :thumbsup:

 

[Adui]

I was using 91% alcohol. These days I'm lazy, I just spray some CRC brake cleaner through the nipple hole and call it good. Haven't had a bit of problems.

 

[hanshi]

Denatured alcohol.

 

[nhmoose]

2nd hanshi's advise

 

[Stumpkiller]

91% Isopropyl (aka solvent alcohol) from the drug store.

Watch out for "rubbing alcohol" as it is 50% water unless you see the % specifically listed.

 

[coloradoclyde]

There are so many things that work, people overlook the obvious.....

DILIGENCE !

A carefully cleaned, inspected, and preserved gun will present no problems regardless of what one uses....Some products offer a little more forgiveness for the less diligent than others...But! None are fool proof.

The moment you get lazy or careless, Rust or a misfire will rear it's ugly head.

 

[George]

I've never put a drop of alcohol on my guns, don't plan to ever do so. I've never understood the need, the apparently urgent need, so many people feel to use the stuff. For instance, one reason frequently given is to remove all traces of the oil used to protect the bore from rust before loading. Why would I want to do that? What problems can that protective layer of oil possibly create? Regardless of the particular load I'm using any given day, at some point in the loading sequence I always run a lubricated patch or wad down the bore, leaving a thin layer of lubricant/oil on the bore. Why wouldn't that layer cause the same problems the protective layer would? What could make a bare metal bore better for accuracy than one with a little lube?

You shooters who remove all the protective layer of oil from the bore before loading, do you also avoid all oil/lube in the bore by using nothing but dry patches and wads in loading?

Spence

 

[coloradoclyde]

You shooters who remove all the protective layer of oil from the bore before loading, do you also avoid all oil/lube in the bore by using nothing but dry patches and wads in loading?

Spence

I run a patch down the barrel before loading to ensure nothing has crawled in the barrel. Alcohol, a wonderful solvent ensures that the flame channel is free of oil and obstructions on my patent breech guns. They like to collect oil. the alcohol dries quickly and does not interfere with ignition.

 

[George]

Alcohol, a wonderful solvent ensures that the flame channel is free of oil and obstructions on my patent breech guns.

So, you pour alcohol down bore so that it can run through the patent breech? Must be so, because I don't understand how a cleaning patch dampened with alcohol on a jag could clear the breech channel.

Spence

 

[coloradoclyde]

Yes!...I have a little squirt bottle.

 

[meanmike8665]

To anyone who posted, doesn't anyone run a dry patch down the bore, snap a cap, load and fire?
I have used this method a long time with no problems. Seems really simple to me.

Michael

 

[Adui]

I used to do that, and I have had misfires from the oily leftovers in my breech. (I have the patent breech or something similar) BUT! I freely admit I over oil my bore and leave it sitting upright to deliberately have oil collected in that breech because I cant get a patch into it to ensure its clean.

I flush when cleaning but I'm a bit paranoid about rust so I over apply the gun oil and clean it out before use. Seems a great way to ensure I don't have a rust issue no matter how long I store my rifle.

 

[coloradoclyde]

To anyone who posted, doesn't anyone run a dry patch down the bore, snap a cap, load and fire?
I have used this method a long time with no problems. Seems really simple to me.

Michael

I use to do it that way, but since the caps have become a lot more pricey and harder to get I use alcohol instead.

 

[meanmike8665]

Thanks for the answer.

Michael

 

[jbwilliams3]

I've never put a drop of alcohol on my guns, don't plan to ever do so. I've never understood the need, the apparently urgent need, so many people feel to use the stuff. For instance, one reason frequently given is to remove all traces of the oil used to protect the bore from rust before loading. Why would I want to do that? What problems can that protective layer of oil possibly create? Regardless of the particular load I'm using any given day, at some point in the loading sequence I always run a lubricated patch or wad down the bore, leaving a thin layer of lubricant/oil on the bore. Why wouldn't that layer cause the same problems the protective layer would? What could make a bare metal bore better for accuracy than one with a little lube?

You shooters who remove all the protective layer of oil from the bore before loading, do you also avoid all oil/lube in the bore by using nothing but dry patches and wads in loading?

Spence

I think for most folks who do that, the main focus is on removing petroleum-based oil from their bore. The concern is that the petroleum product creates a nasty mess in the bore as opposed to natural lubes we all use for shooting. I've used natural grease for short-term storage before but I always use a good gun oil (breakfree, etc.) which I always remove before shooting with alcohol. I doubt trace amounts cause issues, but I prefer to get it all out anyways.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I stored my flintlock with a freshly greased patch on a jag and obviously still on the ramrod, left in the breech for over a year. I removed it, Swabbed with a clean patch and fired like normal. No misfires and the gun drove tacks.