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6/7/2008 12:06:45 PM EDT
I am using Brown Bear ammo since it's cheap (but realiable).

I scrub my chamber and flutes with Hoppes after each trip, but wonder if this is enough?
Anything you guys recommend for cleaning any residual lacquer?
6/7/2008 2:01:43 PM EDT
[#1]
lacquer does not "melt"/come off or stick in the chamber BUT carbon does. Cleaning with hoppes will take out the carbon which is the problem.

If you really want to know, put some hopes on the case and see what it does. It will take of the old lacquer but not the poly.
6/9/2008 11:05:00 AM EDT
[#2]
Denatured Alcohol will dissolve laquer.  This is available at most hardware stores in the solvent and paint thinner area.
6/9/2008 12:22:52 PM EDT
[#3]
Umm... lacquer thinner.
6/9/2008 12:41:06 PM EDT
[#4]
Acetone will dissolve it.  

I would not want any residual solvent trapped in my gas system, chamber, action, etc.  Don't let the solvents get in your trigger or you willhave to relube these items.

Don't get solvent on the plastic parts.  Acetone and lacquer thinner dissolve most plastics.
6/9/2008 2:48:28 PM EDT
[#5]

Acetone and lacquer thinner dissolve most plastics


My point, Osprey. :)

I didn't know if there was a polymer/finish safe product out there, specifically for firearms.  Kind of leery of pouring acetone down my barrel.
6/9/2008 5:15:31 PM EDT
[#6]
you just need to put the solvent on a patch and swab the chamber
6/9/2008 7:30:42 PM EDT
[#7]

Quoted:
you just need to put the solvent on a patch and swab the chamber


If I were worried anbout this, I'd get a chamber swab and use that.
6/10/2008 4:54:35 PM EDT
[#8]
Not too worried, just looking for the best cleaner out there.

I normally use Hoppes and a nylon .45 brush to clean the chamber and flutes.
6/12/2008 8:17:41 PM EDT
[#9]
Hoppes won't remove lacquer build up, and the lacquer coating will build up in the chamber if it is not periodically removed with acetone or similar.  I have a few AK's to prove it.
6/13/2008 7:03:19 AM EDT
[#10]
i have shot a lot of lacquer coated steel ammo.   not once has any lacquer come off in my flutes
6/13/2008 3:48:34 PM EDT
[#11]

Quoted:
Hoppes won't remove lacquer build up, and the lacquer coating will build up in the chamber if it is not periodically removed with acetone or similar.  I have a few AK's to prove it.


are you talking the lacquer or the sealer? The sealer from the primer and the case neck will come off and gum up the chamber. I have yet to see the actual case lacquer come off, even when heating a case with a lighter to see if it would melt. People will still complain about the poly version gumming up the chamber when its the case neck sealent (on the older stuff) combined with carbon that makes a mess, not the actual case coatings.
6/14/2008 3:03:35 AM EDT
[#12]
From what I'm hearing, it's the sealer a la South African ammo I should be worried with.

If the lacquer isn't coming off there's no worry on my part.  If a flame won't melt it my chamber won't either.

I'll just keep scrubbing as I've been doing.  Thanks for all the info guys.
6/23/2008 7:26:04 PM EDT
[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Hoppes won't remove lacquer build up, and the lacquer coating will build up in the chamber if it is not periodically removed with acetone or similar.  I have a few AK's to prove it.


are you talking the lacquer or the sealer? The sealer from the primer and the case neck will come off and gum up the chamber. I have yet to see the actual case lacquer come off, even when heating a case with a lighter to see if it would melt. People will still complain about the poly version gumming up the chamber when its the case neck sealent (on the older stuff) combined with carbon that makes a mess, not the actual case coatings.


It wasn't carbon that had build up in the chamber.  The built up covered almost the whole chamber.  It's wasn't red in color either, so I kind of doubt it was sealant.  I have seen build up of red sealant flakes, but this was different.  We are talking after 1000's of rounds without cleaning.  Hoppes wouldn't remove it, only acetone would work.  

If you clean your rifle regularly, it probably won't ever build up to any degree.  Shoot 2000 rnds, a good portion rapid fire without cleaning and see what happens.
6/23/2008 7:38:13 PM EDT
[#14]
Those steel cases do not expand like a brass casing does so carbon blows back
between the case and the chamber and gets built up in the entire chamber and gets
kindof compressed in there. Any regular bore cleaner should do fine on it.
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