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What Is The Best Bore Cleaner For Copper Fouling In Rifles? (Maintenance Tips)

April 6, 2023 By Edwin Leave a Comment

‘6g can affect any firearm and cause malfunctions. It’s important to choose the best bore cleaner to eliminate copper fouling and prevent damage to your gun.

This can be more challenging than you imagined since there are different brands to choose from. Plus, most bore cleaners can cause more harm than good.

Using copper removers is an important aspect of gun maintenance and shouldn’t be overlooked. So in this article, we will extensively review the best bore cleaner for copper fouling. We’ll talk about how to choose them, and answer your frequently asked questions.

What Is The Best Bore Cleaner For Copper Fouling?

The ‌cleaners on this list are from reputable brands with up to 15 years of experience. They stand out in features, formula, effectiveness, etc. Also, they are completely safe to use and won’t cause damage to other metals in your firearm. They are capable of improving the effectiveness of your gun and its lifespan. The best bore cleaner for copper fouling include:

  • Overall Best Bore Cleaner for Copper Fouling: Hoppe’s No. 9, Copper Gun Bore Cleaner (5 oz. Bottle) 
  • Best Bore Solvent for Ultrasonic Gun Cleaners: CCS Lucas Oil 1oz Needle Oiler + 4oz Bore Solvent Cleaner
  • Best Bore Cleaner for Copper Fouling: Barnes Bullets Cr-10 Bore Cleaner 8oz Bottle 
  • Best Value Bore Cleaner for Copper Fouling: Shooter’s Choice MC-7 12oz Bore Cleaner
  • Best Water-based Bore Cleaner for Copper Fouling: KG-12 4oz Big Bore Copper Cleaner 

1. Hoppe’s No. 9, Copper Gun Bore Cleaner (5 oz. Bottle) 

Hoppe is one of the oldest brands of gun care products. For years, they’ve put out a wide range of merchandise that efficiently handles every area of gun care.

Their No. 9 gun bore cleaner is among the most sought-after products by gun owners. It boasts incredible features which allow it to make it to our list of the best bore cleaners for copper fouling.

One of the most impressive features is that this product makes it possible for you to clean your bore overnight. Apart from getting rid of copper which could damage your firearm, it also removes lead, powder, plastic fouling, etc., from revolvers, rifles, shotguns, or handguns.

Hoppe’s No.9 gun bore shine is highly efficient. It also contains no abrasives and keeps your rifle barrel safe. It’s specifically designed for bench rest shooters and provides results almost immediately. Although the product is completely safe, don’t forget to wear gloves while handling it and neutralize it with oil after use.

Pros

  • Shows results overnight
  • It is an effective copper killer
  • Perfect for any gun owner
  • Restores your barrel to bare steel
  • It doesn’t smell bad

Cons

  • There are less expensive brands to choose from

2. CCS Lucas Oil 1oz Needle Oiler + 4oz Bore Solvent Cleaner

Every gun owner needs a cleaner that will protect their firearm from corrosion, lead, or carbon build-up. This will keep it at top quality and maintain efficiency. One of the ways you can achieve this is by using the CCS Lucas bore cleaner.

One of the features is its ability to eliminate heavy copper fouling and other elements that will make it more susceptible to damage and inefficiency. It is not just a cleaner. It protects firearms from inaccuracy and damage. It’s great for ultrasonic cleaners.

Its formula is specially designed for high heat, friction, and volume for SBRs, auto firearms, pistols, suppressors, shotguns, and semi-auto rifles. The product is safe to use on factory-applied firearm finishes and polymers.

This bore cleaner doesn’t contain kerosene, ammonia, or water, which means it keeps your barrel safe and doesn’t have a foul odor. This gun cleaning solvent can be used from the bottle, which means it doesn’t require you to mix, rinse, or dip in oil. This reduces the time, money, and energy spent on cleaning

It quickly and easily gets rid of carbon and powder residue as well as lead fouling from cylinders and barrels. After ultrasonic cleaning, remove your firearm, then allow it to drip dry or use compressed air. Lubricate it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and then reassemble it.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Efficient
  • Not messy
  • Ultrasonic cleaning

Cons

  • It’s hard to seal the product properly after opening, which makes it prone to spillage

3. Barnes Bullets Cr-10 Bore Cleaner 8oz Bottle 

The build-up of copper deposits can be dangerous to firearms because it causes carbon build-up and damage. Plus, it changes the velocity of your rounds. To prevent this from happening, you need a bore cleaner that works fast and effectively.

The Barnes Bullets Cr-10 does that and it comes in an impressive 8oz bottle.

One of the best features of this product is its aggressiveness, which makes it efficient. It’s great for tackling copper fouling and powder residue. It works fast to improve the state of your firearm. The CR-10 Copper Solvent is made from a non-corrosive formula that keeps your barrel in good condition and prevents damage.

Its formula doesn’t contain any petroleum products and it leaves your firearm clean, and accurate, and promotes longevity. However, it’s a harsh solvent you should not use often. Also, the manufacturer suggests you apply a thin coat of oil after every use to keep your barrel safe.

Pros

  • Quick working
  • Effective
  • Increases the lifespan and accuracy of your firearm
  • Also removes carbon build-up
  • Promotes ‌smooth bore

Cons

  • It has an offensive odor

4. Shooter’s Choice MC-7 12oz Bore Cleaner

The MC-7 bore cleaner is a product of Shooter’s Choice. This brand ‌has up to 30 years of experience making gun care solvents and lubricants. They have a solid reputation and only put out top-quality products.

The MC-7 12oz bore shine is not just suitable for removing copper. It’s just as effective with carbon and powder fouling. It also cleans the receiver and trigger groups, making it versatile. Another impressive feature is how it’s gentle on the bore surface due to its non-abrasive ingredient.

The formulation doesn’t contain ammonia, which makes it safe, health-wise, and free from foul odors. Apart from it being safe, it’s also easy to use and works quickly.

Pros

  • It removes all types of fouling
  • Effective copper killer
  • It doesn’t have a bad smell
  • Safe to use
  • 12oz bottle

Con

  • It doesn’t come with an extension tube to reach into the barrel

5. KG-12 4oz Big Bore Copper Cleaner 

The KG-12 is an impressive bore copper capable of removing fouling safely without damaging other metals in the bore. This feature is outstanding because you don’t need to rush through cleaning for fear of damaging or neutralizing your firearm.

Its formula is safe without the addition of ammonia, harsh chemicals, or synthetic ingredients. It has also been tested on large military equipment to work effectively. The KG-12 is a product of KG Industries LLC, specializing in several lubricants, metal coatings, cleaners, ceramic coatings, etc.

Pros

  • It contains no synthetic ingredient
  • Safe and odor free
  • Effective for copper residue
  • There is no need to neutralize your firearm after using
  • Ensures deep cleaning

Cons

  • No notable downside

How Can I Choose The Best Bore Cleaner?

To choose the best bore cleaner, you should ask yourself five main questions. These questions will serve as a guide in helping you determine if you’re on the right track to choosing the best bore cleaner. Asking yourself about the price, features, efficiency, etc., of a product will help you choose the best bore cleaner.

1. Price

It’s important to check the price of a solvent bore cleaner and compare it with others. Usually, you’d find that you can get a cheaper cleaner that does the same thing as a high-priced one.

However, if the high-priced one is tailored to your specific needs or has more features, you should get it if it fits within your budget. The features should determine if the bore cleaner is worth it.

2. Efficiency

Efficiency has to do with how fast it works. You don’t want a ‌cleaner that takes a long time to show results or one that doesn’t make a difference. It’s important to look for how long it takes a product to work and check reviews to see how efficient it is.

3. Formulation

A solvent cleaner aims to eliminate copper and other elements and reduce the chances of damage. So it’s important to take note of the ingredients used to guarantee there are no harsh chemicals that will damage your barrel.

Also make sure the formulation doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like glycol ethers, petrol, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), etc., which can be dangerous to your health or flammable. Corrosive acids like sulfuric acids, hydrochloric, oxalic, etc., can damage your firearm, so make sure the ingredient doesn’t have corrosive agents.

4. Features

The types of firearms the cleaner is tailored to and the substances it eliminates are features you should be on the lookout for. Also, you should check if there are any extra features put in place to ensure your safety or that of your firearm after using the product. It is also essential to buy from a brand that focuses on making biodegradable products.

FAQs

What causes copper fouling?

Copper fouling occurs when copper is smeared on stainless steel barrels due to the presence of moisture. It usually appears as a bluish streak and is normal. Note that copper fouling can appear anywhere around your firearm. If it’s not tackled, the copper oxidizes and can affect your gun’s accuracy.

How often should I clean my firearm for copper fouling?

How often you should clean your firearm for copper fouling depends on how often you use them. Ideally, it should be cleaned after each session at the shooting range. For firearms that are used on occasion, you can inspect them monthly.

Conclusion

A big step to protecting the efficiency and longevity of your firearm is by choosing the best bore cleaner for copper fouling. If you have a copper fouling problem and don’t know where to begin, the products reviewed here are a good place to start.

Filed Under: Gun Cleaning Kits, Gun Cleaning Tips, Gun Maintenance Tools Tagged With: best bore cleaner for copper fouling

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