Clearing corrosion from barrel bore

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   I have a spare barrel with fairly significant corrosion (rust) thru the entire length of the bore. I have wire brushed the life out of it with bore cleaner and it is still pretty rough. Many years ago, I think I recall someone saying "The best thing to do is just shoot it to clean it out". Does this sound logical, or is there another method I could try that might clean it up some? 

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colreed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grunt Joined: Feb 15 2016 Location: Hockley, TX Status: Offline Points: 452	Post Options Post Reply Quote colreed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Clearing corrosion from barrel bore Posted: Jun 05 2021 at 6:02pm
	I have a spare barrel with fairly significant corrosion (rust) thru the entire length of the bore. I have wire brushed the life out of it with bore cleaner and it is still pretty rough. Many years ago, I think I recall someone saying "The best thing to do is just shoot it to clean it out". Does this sound logical, or is there another method I could try that might clean it up some?
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Charles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grunt Joined: Mar 21 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 587	Post Options Post Reply Quote Charles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 05 2021 at 7:02pm
	We used to push a plug from the breech up to within 1.5" from the muzzle on bolt actions. Pour molten lead up to the muzzle. Drive out the plug and lead from the muzzle end. Put a small amount of valve grinding compound in the muzzle and drive the lead down the bore until the bore is suitably clean. On an M1, you will have to insert the plug from the muzzle end 1.5" down. Edited by Charles - Jun 05 2021 at 9:49pm
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David Albert Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Hard Corps Status Quo Challenger Joined: Dec 27 2015 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 1003	Post Options Post Reply Quote David Albert Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 05 2021 at 9:24pm
	I have not tried the method I'm about to describe to clean a bore by itself, but I have used it to clean some "junk" pistols that were completely rusted, and it yielded amazing results. A very good friend of mine also used it to clean up a bunch of original Auto-Ordnance gauges that we found from the Savage factory, and it was much more effective than elbow grease, or any other method that he tried. Anyway, the stuff is called WD-40 Rust Remover Soak. It will remove bluing, and possibly other finishes, as well, but I think if you were able to seal off the bore, and put this product inside, it would work wonders for you. You can start out with it for a short period of time, and let it work longer, if needed. Maybe even try it with wet cleaning patches first. Here is a picture of the product. I think if you ease into this, and determine the right amount of time and product to use, you will get the bore completely free of rust. David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com
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35 Whelen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List On Point Joined: Jul 11 2020 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 178	Post Options Post Reply Quote 35 Whelen Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 06 2021 at 1:42am
	I bought an Inland through Proxibid whose bore was described as "poor", and it did look pretty bad- I scrubbed it with bore cleaner and a brass brush, to no avail. Loaded 10 rounds in a magazine, trotted out to the bench and fired them, then back to the workbench to clean again. It worked- So shooting a few through it then cleaning it would be the first thing I'd try.

colreed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grunt Joined: Feb 15 2016 Location: Hockley, TX Status: Offline Points: 452	Post Options Post Reply Quote colreed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 06 2021 at 8:20am
	Many thanks for the tips. Whelen, you produced some fabulous results. Like you suggest ...... I think I'll try shooting it. I already tried the rust soak solution and made the mistake of getting some on the outside surface of the barrel. As you said, David, it messed up the bluing. I should have known to read all the fine print before getting careless with it. Will have to have it reblued. Thanks again, everyone.
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New2brass Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Dan Pinto, Photo Editor Joined: Nov 29 2015 Location: CT Status: Offline Points: 4660	Post Options Post Reply Quote New2brass Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 06 2021 at 9:55am
	just a FYI for anyone following the thread Bluing AKA black oxide, is a form of oxidization. Parkerizing/phosphate finish is a form of oxidation to the metal. Rust is oxidization of metal. Any method of rust removal will also remove phosphate or blue finishes. So as David and Reed pointed out, care must be given to protect the finish.
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Quietus Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Aug 10 2019 Location: north Wyoming Status: Offline Points: 63	Post Options Post Reply Quote Quietus Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 06 2021 at 8:38pm
	I'm lazy (i.e. efficient with my time). So I agree with above advice, shoot it and let bullets do your work for you. When it's cleaning time, I'd recommend "gray grease." Some call it JB Bore Paste. Saturate a patch, then wrap it around a brass .30 cal jag and go to work, changing patches frequently. Keep the new patches saturated. Then use RBC or similar to get rid of any residue. This would be a one-time effort for the above described problem.