Question on shotgun cleaning

[oldguysrule649 397]

Hoping to get some guidance.  (Did already search the forums.).   Have owned a 22LR rifle and pistol for many years.  After cleaning the firearms, the inside of the barrels always looked very clean and shiny/spotless.  Recently purchased a Mossberg 590(#50668); my first shotgun  The first time I shot it (25 rounds), I cleaned the barrel with Hopp's solvent, using bristle brush, patches, etc and finished with a light coat of oil.  As above, barrel ended up looking clean and smooth in the inside.  Went shooting last weekend and shot 82 rounds at the range(variety of 00Buck and slugs).  Tried to clean the gun today and seem to be having a lot more trouble getting the inside of the barrel to be spotless.  In various places, I am not sure if what I see is normal abrasion or I just have not been aggressive enough running solvent and bristle brush through it.

 

So my question is, what is to be expected?  Should bore always look smooth/shiny after cleaning?  I.e. should I have been even more aggressive(ie more solvent, more brushing, etc.) OR is it normal for what looks like abrasion to appear due to wear from the shot,slugs, etc?

 

Again, a newbie at shottys, so appreciate any guidance. 

 

 

[checko 180]

You're supposed to clean a shotgun?

[deleteme 0]

I bore snake and throw it in the safe

Don't really "clean" shotguns

[Damjan 73]

Hoping to get some guidance.  (Did already search the forums.).  

 

So my question is, what is to be expected?  Should bore always look smooth/shiny after cleaning?  I.e. should I have been even more aggressive(ie more solvent, more brushing, etc.) OR is it normal for what looks like abrasion to appear due to wear from the shot,slugs, etc?

 

Again, a newbie at shottys, so appreciate any guidance.

 

Its to be expected. The more you shoot the more deposits in the barrel. Leave hoppes for a bit then brush it.....repeat as necessary.

[Secret Squirrel 3]

You're supposed to clean a shotgun?

 

[checko 180]

Lol.

[Socom 19]

Hoping to get some guidance. (Did already search the forums.). Have owned a 22LR rifle and pistol for many years. After cleaning the firearms, the inside of the barrels always looked very clean and shiny/spotless. Recently purchased a Mossberg 590(#50668); my first shotgun The first time I shot it (25 rounds), I cleaned the barrel with Hopp's solvent, using bristle brush, patches, etc and finished with a light coat of oil. As above, barrel ended up looking clean and smooth in the inside. Went shooting last weekend and shot 82 rounds at the range(variety of 00Buck and slugs). Tried to clean the gun today and seem to be having a lot more trouble getting the inside of the barrel to be spotless. In various places, I am not sure if what I see is normal abrasion or I just have not been aggressive enough running solvent and bristle brush through it.

 

So my question is, what is to be expected? Should bore always look smooth/shiny after cleaning? I.e. should I have been even more aggressive(ie more solvent, more brushing, etc.) OR is it normal for what looks like abrasion to appear due to wear from the shot,slugs, etc?

 

Again, a newbie at shottys, so appreciate any guidance.

Hey brother after a nasty long day of shooting my barrel is a mess lead deposits plastic wad material all melted in the bore, go to shop right and buy a box of chore boy pure copper scouring pads stick it on you regular 12 guage brush and scrub that barrel will be spotless. Also google tornado brush 12 guage it works excellent also.

[MosinRob 1]

I clean my shotguns every time I use them. I clean all my guns until the patch comes clean or until I feel its as clean as I can get it. For shotguns and muzzleloaders where I shoot plastic out of I use a foaming bore cleaner to remove the fouling. I like http://www.shooters-choice.com/mc7-extra-strength-bore-cleaner Usually does the trick on a tough one. With time your shotgun barrel will have marks and such in it. Especially if you use steel shot. Just clean your best and keep it well oiled.

[Night Prowler 0]

Tornado brush is awesome. That thing brings all kinds of nasty out. Let some hopps soak in it first and patch till clean. Oil it up and your good to go. Pretty much the same as your rifles.

I hear some people try the top rack in the dishwasher, bit I'm not condoning that one.

[Jcddefreese 0]

If you run the boresnake right after you shoot, when the barrel is still hot/warm, you should get better cleaning results.

[oldguysrule649 397]

Thanks for the suggestions (as well as the humor!).   Will look into various products suggested above.  So, the bottomline (for those of us that DO clean our shotguns, lol)  is that I should expect to get it spotless.  I.e., what I see in the barrel are likely not abrasions in the bore metal,  but rather lingering dirt deposits.  Correct?

[Parker 213]

Thanks for the suggestions (as well as the humor!).   Will look into various products suggested above.  So, the bottomline (for those of us that DO clean our shotguns, lol)  is that I should expect to get it spotless.  I.e., what I see in the barrel are likely not abrasions in the bore metal,  but rather lingering dirt deposits.  Correct?

 

Those "abrasions" you see could be lead adhered to the barrel wall. It's not uncommon to see this from firing slugs or buckshot since most are unprotected as they rattle down the bore and will rub on the barrel walls. Shot loads utilizing plastic wads to protect the column of shot will exhibit plastic buildup in the barrel walls, most noticeably at the choke. Barrels are not all finished internally with the same care and craftsmanship as others. Bores that have a rough finish tend to dirty up more than a well-polished bore. (Read about honing a barrel. Someone posted an article on that subject on this forum a while ago.) Chrome-plated bores found on most European guns (I.E. Beretta, Benelli) exhibit a very smooth, high-end finish and are usually a cinch to clean up.

[GRIZ 3,369]

You can take two different approachs to cleaning any barrel. Abrasives will usually remove the crud faster. They also can cause wear moreso if you use stuff not designed for gun cleaning. Bores have been damaged by excessive brushing. Chemicals take more time if you let them soak into the crud. They also are less likely to damage the bore. I prefer letting the chemicals soak in and less brushing.

[oldguysrule649 397]

Thanks for the feedback.  I hope to go target shooting next Sat morning.  Am inclined to remove the barrel afterwards, apply Hoppes solvent liberally, and let it soak as suggested. 

[Smokin .50 1,907]

Shooter's Choice actually works a little bit better than regular Hoppe's #9.  It has a chemical in it that dissolves plastic shotgun wad fouling, and says so right on the label!

 

Even better is this little-known red gunk from Brownell's, called "Gelled Shotgun Wad Solvent"!  This is the greatest thing since sliced bread for removing plastic OR lead streaks from a barrel!  A little dab will do ya, so no need to waste it by using too much!  I think I paid $12.00 for a small bottle, and it saves you a bunch of scrubbin' and brushin'!  NO need to wait overnight for results!  Needed sunglasses to look down the bore of my son's Beretta shotgun, and the choke tubes clean-up in a snap with a little wad cleaner on some paper toweling!

 

FWIW, every-so-often (about every case or two) I'd run a paper towel with Shooter's Choice up against the spring and the magazine tube, as some particulate makes its' way down there and can cause the spring to get "sticky", resulting in feeding problems.  Even a Pump needs a little help once in a while, lol!  A clean spring and mag tube makes everything operate at peak efficiency.

 

Good luck with the shotgun!

 

Dave