Barrel cleaning

[Viper]

Yesterday after a couple of boxes of Fiocchi 28g slug, I had some hard time cleaning the barrel off the lead residual. I am not an expert in shotguns, but after a good 30 minute and more of pushing and pulling the cleaning rod, it was not completely clean yet. Someone suggested to use some white petrol and let it work some hours before cleaning, any suggestion is very welcome

[Synchronizor]

Were you using some type of cleaning solvent with the brush, or just running it dry?

Soaking a barrel or choke tube in a solvent is a good way to soften and break up heavy leading or residue. Gasoline, along with automotive carburetor or brake cleaners are some old-school approaches, but they can work. There are plenty of good gun cleaning solvents that will do the job though, and they're usually safer and more pleasant to work with.

[Viper]

I always use some cleaner, never dry brushing. I did first a generic spray cleaner (multi purpose), like WD40. But I just applied it minutes before brushing, maybe i should give it a night or so to make the brushing more effective?

[Synchronizor]

It would depend on exactly what's in your cleaner. WD-40 isn't a great gun lube or cleaner, but it does have some active ingredients (mostly hydrocarbons) that could help remove lead build-up.

[MStarmer]

Don't fight it, soak it down with the Hoppes #9 or Ballistol and let it sit. Give it a brush or two every now and then until it all loosens up, don't try to do it all in one day. I've got several that are still soaking from a class I took a few weeks ago. It's amazing how bad the leading sticks.

[MStarmer]

I forgot to add that a lot of people use the 100% Copper Chore Boy wrapped around a brush. Apparently works like a charm, unfortunately I have been unable to find any at the stores I frequent.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthr ... rel-how-to

[DaSkip]

I've heard that Gunzilla does a nice job.

[mercman]

Cleaning....................shotgun barrel.............hmmmm. Been shooting 870s for over 25 years and have never cleaned the barrels, just blew them out with compressed air and used carb cleaner on the rest and then a spray down with some Breakfree. They are pretty sturdy weapons.

[Dr. Marneaus]

Stainless steel brush will take about 5 minutes to get leading out of the barrel. Like a tornado or whatever the ones gunslick makes are called. The looped bristles wont scratch, and they are made for smoothbores. I wouldnt use one in a rifled barrel (not made for them) because the loops wont get down in the grooves, and then all the paranoid people will talk about it scratching the bore on a rifle. I cant see any harm in using it on a smoothbore, and mine hasnt been scratched yet? Keep in mind i am only using one to remove leading, not running it down the barrel every time i shoot. As far as barrel cleaning goes, unless accuracy has dropped of noticably, I just run a bore snake (if anything) and call it a day. This applies to my rifles and shotguns.

Or get one of these and wrap some around a standard brush, bam, cuts it instantly (p.s. these things are amazing for removing rust without damaging the bluing)
http://big45.com/

[Synchronizor]

Or get one of these and wrap some around a standard brush, bam, cuts it instantly (p.s. these things are amazing for removing rust without damaging the bluing)
http://big45.com/

Those look just like the stainless steel pot scrubbers I used back when I worked for Taco Time in high school.

Those things cost less than a dollar. Is there something special about the Big 45 product that makes it worth $6 each?