Sonic cleaner

[runningdog]

I use a sonic cleaner for my brass. What do the members think about using the sonic cleaner to clean the breech plug? Would it clean it to much...just wondering. I read where some members never clean their breech plug at all.

[Jon]

Interesting question.

[billc]

I use a sonic cleaner occasionally on my BP. I like it because it cleans the threads of the build up of never seize and carbon better than brushing. I clean the carbon with my drills before I use the ultra sonic. I find that firing about 6 - 8 primers gets the carbon buildup back to where my POI was before cleaning.

[bigmoose]

I guess there is not right or wrong way. Each and every time I shoot, I drill out my BP after soaking it in Hoppes, I use a bronze brush on the bore.When I'm finished it could pass inspection.
Yet, some very successful shooters on this board, like just the opposite.
I have an ultra-sonic clearer, but never thought of using it, thanks for the thought.

[whyohe]

why not use it if ya got it. if your gun shoots well on a clean breech plug then try it. if your accuracy goes down and then gets better as you go with the same load then you know.

[bigmoose]

whyohe,

I be frank, this rifle shoots so well, I am loath to make any changes.
But I will try it with my .50, Its a professional model, I used it in my business.

[Jon]

Bigmoose.I'm with you I got a ultra sonic cleaner years ago and afraid to change what is working but now I'm trying to delve into uncharted waters everything is an experement.
Jon

[whyohe]

bigmoose,

ok Frank, ;D i dont know if you get to do much shooting before season or if you ever clean your BP. but if you have time, try it. if it makes your accuracy go south you will know and by how much. then you shoot it till it comes back. unfortunatly it one of thoes things you wont know till you try. it may work good for you but not for others and visa-versa.

[bigmoose]

Jon,

Good luck, in the uncharted water, stay away from big winds

[bigmoose]

Whyohe,
Yes I do clean my BP, I thought I made that clear, to me cleaning mean soaking
it in Hoppes, using a drill bit to clean up the carbon build up then running a wire type pipe cleaner thru it.....its now clean.
Yes I do shot some, I stopped counting at 6000 shots fired, I sure I have sent another 2000 plus down my two Savages.
And yes I like to experiment, being a bum, give me time to play with my stuff.

[Jon]

Bigmoose I envie you. Enjoy everything as much as you can while you can. That way being selfish myself and others get to enjoy through you. Thank you for being you.
Jon

[bigmoose]

Jon,
The key words are "while you can',
Tomorrow is my a day off, a day of rest, I often, ask myself, what are you doing training for the Olympic's, act your age.
Do to a flaw in my personality, I think more is better, so now I have to take some time off, to let the Arthritis in my elbow cool off, Last week I decided to up my curling weight to 90lbs, It proved to be a mistake. I was doing well at 80lbs, 10 sets of 10. now I'll have to drop down, and work my way up again
My Cardo doc, asked my what I'm trying to prove....wish I had an answer, that doesn't prove I'm a fool. I have to ask myself, If the fire for hunting wasn't so strong in me, would I be working so hard. I always was hot for hunting, now I'm obsessed. Reading ,watching DVD's talking to guides, I live for the day, I can once again walk the tundra in Alaska.
Anyway, best wishes to all and act your age.
Marty

[runningdog]

Wonderful words of wisdom. For those that have or intend to try the sonic cleaner with your breech plugs. I have another question. What type of cleaning solution do you use? I plan to clean the SS plug from Pete so I will be using the copper case cleaner from Hornady. They say you can clean a SS muzzle brake with it so I assume that will be the same effect. They have now came out with a solutions to clean metal blued parts. Do not use the copper case cleaner from Hornady with any item that is blued. It WILL remove the bluing (I learned the hard way). I read articles that people have used all types of cleaning solutions including Hoppe's. I would love to hear from members pertaining to the solutions they use in their respective process's

[bigmoose]

Dish soap and water works on most items, it should be fine on BP
or add some Hoppe's to plain water.

[whyohe]

bigmoose,

i envey you too. i wish i could get that much shooting in too. a sonic cleaning may help keep it cleaner longer? also the solvent( water and dish soap) might be better for not leaving any residues? I have never used a sonic cleaner so i dont know how long it would take to clean a BP with a sonic cleaner compared to your usual way.

[bigmoose]

I have a commercial solution used for cleaning jewelry, but non-soapy ammonia, works as well or better, it must be non-soapy, regular will behind a film.
It will not take long, the one I have worked so well, if you left the items in too long, it would shake the stones out of the mounting.
I'll try it and report back.
Have a fine weekend.

[spoonover]

I had good luck cleaning mine when I was working on the breech plug. Carbon killer got out all the build up so I could tap the threads (oil after use). Soaked it over night and was ready to go to work. On center fires start with Bore Tech Eliminator and than slip 2000 to get at the carbon that is under the copper, I know when all the copper is out when the patch is not blue. For copper gonna try the 50 BMG cleaner, have heard it is stronger than bore tech?

www.slip2000.com/carbonkiller.html

[Richard]

I have tried not drilling out the hole thru the center and fully drilling it out? Seems to make no difference to me. Now I run a 1/8" drill bit all the way thru...........so its drilled out a little . I run a drill bit in the primer end just enough so my primers do not bottom out. As far as the threads? I run them across the wire wheel on my bench grinder. If I re-use a vent liner? I just wire brush the threads with a small stainless steel tooth brush.
Not trying to bust anyone's bubble, but with the number of shots I put downrange from my benchrest set up, I don't see that any of the different method produce better results one way or the other? Again, just my opinion.
Richard

[bigmoose]

Richard,
As you have said, what ever works for you, is the best way.

[runningdog]

Okay, I cleaned the breech plug this afternoon with the sonic cleaner and the Hornady solution. I put the sonic cleaner on 420 seconds and did this three times (total=21 minutes).

I then washed the plug in cold tap water. The plug looked like it did when I received it from Pete. I am not sure what the results will be at the range. This sure seems to work as far as cleaning. Thanks everyone for your replies.

[DBinNY]

I just drill the carbon out of the breech plug dry. I never put any type of solvent inside the breech plug. I do wipe down the outside with a little Hoppes occasionally. I have never cleaned the internal threads where the plug screws into the barrel. I just relube the threads on the plug and put it back in. Works for me.

[153]

Drill out both ends, then use a tap to clean treads inside plug. Wire tooth brush to cleans thread on vent-liner. Anti-seeze on threads. Clean treads on plug with wire tooth brush, teflon tape with Rem-oil and install. I clean maybe every 40-60 shots. One cap fired, one fouler shot then back to MOA with the PacNor. Also with the PacNor barrel, about two patches of Hoppes #9, two dry patches then a patch with Rem-Oil. I have never run a wire brush through the barrel and after the two Hoppes patches the next patch will have very little markings and the second one is me being anal as it will be almost as clean as before sending the patch down the barrel.