Here in Portugal the bore cleaners and cooper solvents are not readily available.

I found the idea of using Ed’s Red a good one and made a search for the formula, and this is what i found :

Old ( Original) Ed’s Red Formula :

acetone,
turpentine,
Pratts Astral Oil (Pratts Astral oil was nothing more than acid free, deodorised kerosene).
sperm oil,
and optionally 200 grams of lanolin added per liter.


New (actual ) Revised Formula:

1 part Dexron II, IIe or III ATF, GM Spec. D-20265 or later.
1 part Kerosene - deodorized, K1
1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, Fed. Spec. TT-T-2981F, CAS
#64741-49-9, or substitute "Stoddard Solvent", CAS #8052-41-3, or equivalent, (aka "Varsol")
1 part Acetone, CAS #67-64-1.

From this formula I can find only three of the ingredients, I can not find the Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, Fed. Spec. TT-T-2981F, CAS #64741-49-9, or substitute "Stoddard Solvent", CAS #8052-41-3, or equivalent, (aka "Varsol") , does anyone knows of a more readily available product that can be used to substitute this one ?
Thank you ,

Nsiro

low oder mineral spirits is the same. you will find it where oil based paint is sold.
Varsol i an exxon product and is really some nasty stuff with benzene base, I would use some type of bore solvent like shooterschoice. or hoppes in place of the varsol

Nsiro,

Have a look at this cleaning method. I have been impressed with the use of GM TEC but have now converted to Mpro7. The GM stuff smells very strong but certainly works well.

Here is the link:

Barrel Cleaning method

I am sure you can get GM TEC or Mercury Powertune somewhere in Portugal.

Regards
JohnT

I've used Ed's red for several years now, the 1/2 gallon I mixed up will last me many, many more.

If you can find paint thinner for oil based paints, that is your missing 4th item. I didn't use the lanolin in my Ed's red.

As to Ed's Red, I also use mineral spirits as the fourth ingredient with great success. As to Ed Harris, anyone know what he's up to. He used to be a regular on loadyourown.com, but I think that site has gone down. Ed by the way was-is one of the foremost writers on lead bullets, and reduced loads. You can find one of his articles in the NRA publication, "Cast Bullet Handbook".

Jerry

I have been using ED'S RED going on 7 years, now. I mix 85 ounce quanties.
K-1 Kerosene
Oil Based Paint Thinner
Dextron 2 or 3 Automatic Transmission Fluid
I do NOT add the asatone or lanolin [My Choice].

Ed's Red [It's a soaker] works best if you put a good coat in the barrel and let it sit for several hours to over night and then take it out.