The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Hello
I have my own formulation and method for dissolving the primer salts from my military rifle barrels just wondered what other shooters do and use and if its easier and perhaps better than mine ? As I have just got hold of some Bulgarian 7.62x54r.......

I just use cold tap water.

The primer fouling in and of itself isn't corrosive, it is however highly hygroscopic and will attract moisture, this water sitting in the fouling rusts the barrel. Just the same as black powder does.

So all you need is water to effectively neutralise the fouling and wash it out.

Some people say that you should use boiling water as it heats up the barrel and helps it dry, I find the steam cause flash rusting and cold water is just as efficacious as hot in dissolving the fouling.

Clean and oil as usual after the swabbing out.

I just use cold tap water.

As Adam says, water is an effective way to neutralise primer salts and black powder residues.

I use a kettle of warm water, not boiling. My M44 Nagent carbine has had mostly corrosive military ammunition through it and the barrel is still shiny and bright.
Regards
Peter