Regularly Cleaning Your Firearm Barrel
The Importance of Regularly Cleaning Your Firearm Barrel
Avoid Disaster by Maintaining Your Barrel – Expert Advice from Hornady
Published on Precision Reloading Shop Blog – July 9, 2024
The debate around whether to clean a firearm’s barrel has existed for years, but the experts at Hornady Manufacturing have provided a clear and definitive answer – yes, you should regularly clean your barrel.
As Hornady’s senior ballistician Jayden Quinlan aptly put it, “Barrel maintenance and cleaning are a lot like cleaning your toilet. Nobody wants to do it until either it’s overflowing or company’s coming over.” The consequences of neglecting barrel cleaning can be severe, ranging from diminished accuracy and erratic velocity to potentially dangerous firearm damage or personal injury.
The two primary culprits that necessitate regular barrel cleaning are carbon and copper buildup. The intense heat and pressure generated during the firing cycle causes these byproducts to accumulate in the barrel, altering the critical internal surface and volume. Even a microscopic layer of fouling can significantly impact performance and safety.
“A buildup of carbon as thin as a sixth of a human hair in the first couple of inches of rifling can be worth thousands of pounds of pressure.” – Seth Swerczek, Hornady Marketing Communications Manager
This fouling can lead to a wide spectrum of problems, from minor extraction and firing pin issues to catastrophic events like barrel ruptures and bolt lug shears. While the average shooter may not be in a high-risk environment, the stakes are much higher for law enforcement and military personnel who depend on their firearms to function reliably.
Effective Barrel Cleaning Techniques
According to Hornady’s lead ballistics lab technician Matt George, the key to effective barrel cleaning is using the right solvent. Solvents like Bore Tech Eliminator and Chameleon are designed to break down carbon and copper buildup without damaging the barrel. The process involves:
- Wetting the bore with solvent and removing any loose deposits.
- Scrubbing the bore with a nylon brush to aerate the solvent.
- Letting the solvent soak for 30 minutes before patching it dry.
- Clearing any residue with isopropyl alcohol.
- Inspecting the bore with a borescope.
More stubborn fouling may require slightly abrasive cleaners, but it’s crucial to proceed slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the barrel. After cleaning, test-firing some known-quality ammunition can confirm the firearm’s performance has improved.
To learn more about proper barrel maintenance, Hornady’s podcast episodes “Should You Clean Your Barrel? Part I” and “Barrel Cleaning Part 2” provide in-depth discussions on the topic.
Don’t let neglected barrel cleaning lead to disaster. Prioritize regular maintenance to ensure your firearm’s accuracy, reliability, and safety. Visit Precision Reloading Shop to stock up on all the necessary cleaning supplies and get your barrel back in top shape.
