My understanding is that Hoppe's #9 is a pretty mild solvent that can stay in the bore for extended periods of time (say overnight) without causing damage. Anyone know anything to contradict this?
jaylore - Hoppe's contains almost no ammonia. Therefore it can be left in the bore as long a you wish. The solvents you want to avoid soaking in your bore for more than 20 minutes are Sweets and CR-10.
Here is the rub - if you want to remove copper, you must use a solvent with ammonia. Ammonia is hygroscopic - attracts moisture. Squeaky clean barrels + moisture = corrosion. If you leave some of these solvents in your bore for an extended time, bad things �can� happen if the conditions are right. Always protect your bore with a quality oil after cleaning with a high ammonia content cleaner.
Posts: 10780 | Location: Test Tube | Registered: 27 February 2001
Hoppes #9 has lived happily in my bores for weeks on end (maybe longer). I've come to hear that it's largest component is kerosene. Dunno if that's accurate, but it makes for lively conversation.
There's an element of ammonia in it, but how much and what adverse affects it may cause I can't say. I'll tell you that right now, there's at least a half dozen rifle barrels wet with Hoppes in my safe. I'm not worried about it.
Redial
Posts: 1121 | Location: Florence, MT USA | Registered: 30 April 2002
You know I was curious myself. and called Hoppes. The lady said there formula is PH balanced and will not harm your barrel. But she said thats what the Benchrest formula is meant for but not #9.
BC - Nothing like getting info directly from the manufacturer. What they did not tell you is - their Benchrest formula is a the bottom of the copper aggressiveness list. If you want a goof-proof solvent, then Butch�s is light years quicker than Benchrest and it�s safe.
At the top of the aggressiveness list is CR-10, Sweets, and Montana X-Treme. X-Treme is safe for soaking, CR-10 and Sweets should not be left in the bore for more than 15-20 minutes at a time.
Posts: 10780 | Location: Test Tube | Registered: 27 February 2001
I'm a Sweets fan. As I have said before, I have better things to do than wait for a bore solvent work. I use it in all my rifles, including my circa 1912 double rifle. Sweets just does the job for me! Follow the directions on the bottle. Always, and I mean always run some oil thru your bores after you clean them.
There are lots of good cleaners, you need to find the one you're comfortable with and use it.
Guys, I have never seen anything like CR-10. I was at the range a long time ago and soaked my bore with CR. Then they called a cease fire. Range officer that day was a jerk and told me to not touch my firearm. I explained the situation. He didn't care. So anyway after 20 min., my barrel had rust in it. I was shocked. This stuff is nasty. I like sweets also. I use bench rest also, but my favorite is wipe out.
