INFO ON "TACTICAL ADVANTAGE"
at the bottom of this page
WIPE-OUT ™
THE WORLDS ONLY BRUSHLESS BORE CLEANER
Revolutionary New Product
TAKE THE
WIPE_OUT CHALLENGE:
PUT
WIPE-OUT IN A GUN YOU THINK IS CLEAN !
WIPE-OUT ™ is a revolutionary new product that solves all the problems
encountered with conventional bore cleaners.
The primary reason for using any type of cleaning preparation in the barrel
of a firearm is to remove those agents left behind which would adversely affect
the accuracy of the particular firearm and its use life.
If this were not the case we could shoot endlessly with no recourse but to
bring on more ammunition. Unfortunately, firearms have a fatal flaw. The
products of combustion and metal fouling from bullet materials, and carbon which
is a product of burning powder, produce a deteriorating effect on the accuracy
of a given firearm. As these residues build up inside the barrel; accuracy
decreases conversely.
It is the removal of these four types of fouling: 1. Powder fouling
(smokeless or blackpowder) 2. Metal fouling (copper or lead alloy) 3. Carbon ,
4. Molybdenum (usually introduced by the use of Molybdenum coated bullets),
which will restore accuracy in a barrel whose usable life is still viable.
Most traditional products were never meant to remove anything other than powder fouling.
They were given a pleasant smell, but were totally in-effective for most problems that
cause the loss of accuracy.
Loss of accuracy is normal in all firearms after they have been used in a prolonged shooting session.
The barrel will become fouled with gunpowder residue as a result of combustion, additionally: two other materials are deposited internally to the barrel,....... carbon and metal fouling from bullet material . Most
of the shooters today are aware of metal fouling caused by lead alloy bullets,
and copper jackets. They are also aware that powder fouling will cause the
barrel to become dirty and fouled causing inaccuracy.
These two are the most difficult to remove and are the greatest cause for the loss of accuracy in a firearm. However,
many are not aware that carbon is probably the most difficult product of the
firing cycle to remove from the barrel.
Most of our Dads and Grand Dads didn't tell us about these problems because they probably were unaware of them, and they thought the product they used, was effective.

In the past the removal of these types of barrel fouling has required highly
aggressive chemicals such as acid and ammonia. These chemicals have been applied
in the past on a patch or with a bore brush dipped in the solution. Then with
large amounts of elbow-grease the brush was stroked back and forth through the
barrel to scrub the fouling residues out. Then a patch was pushed through the
bore, and it was checked for evidence of fouling or the lack thereof . This
process is repeated until all evidence of fouling is no longer present on a
patch.
The standard practice has been to dunk a copper or bronze brush into the cleaner and stroke the cleaning rod the length of the bore. Worse to scrub the brush back and forth several times.
Without a bore guide and a coated cleaning rod, this is a good way to damage the bore
the throat (where most barrels wear out) and the crown.
A good deal of the evidence of fouling removal comes from the bristles in the bore brush itself.
This isn't the best way to increase barrel life.
Many shooters have never been aware that anything more than a few quick
passes with some solvent and a few patches were required to properly clean a
fouled barrel. Barrels left in this condition will only continue to lose
accuracy. We have seen rifles on the used rack which the owners assumed were
"shot-out" , which when properly cleaned performed like they were new.
When we examined some of these guns with a bore-scope, we could see fouling
built up in layers like a black forest cake. Each of these would be a layer of
powder fouling and carbon, usually with a layer of copper on top. I have seen
firearms with six or seven of these layers built up. In every case when these
guns were cleaned properly, the accuracy returned.
A more recent approach has been to product products with heavy amounts of acid and ammonia.

Acid and Ammonia will remove metal fouling and carbon. But Acid and Ammonia are dangerous to you and your firearm.
Products containing large amounts of acids and ammonia still require large amounts of brushing.
The major problem they have is that they contain chemicals which have a horrible smell, and are very dangerous to the steel used in gun barrels.
It is quite easy using these products to permanently damage the interior of the barrel with pitting. They also can remove stock finishes.
COMPETITIVE SHOOTERS AND VARMINT HINTERS TAKE
SPECIAL NOTE


Consider the effect you have on the barrel of a firearm during a
cleaning using conventional products. Count the number of
strokes it takes to clean your rifle using conventional solvents and a brush.
Conservatively, you will find the number somewhere between 50 to 100
brushstrokes. Now take the number of times you clean
that firearm during a season. And finally take that number times
the number of years that you have used that barrel.
The number of brush strokes is astronomical.
It is impossible to introduce the cleaning rod into
the barrel of any firearm thousands of times ........without causing serious
degradation of the quality of the performance of that barrel. Compare
that with two or three patches per cleaning using Wipe-Out™. There
is no comparison !
We have always believed and strived to make a product that
would leave the barrel in the same condition it was in when it left the factory.
If you're going to wear a barrel out,
do it with thousands of rounds. Not with thousands of brush strokes.


The Muzzle Adapter makes application
simple
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF--------WIPE-OUT™
WIPE-OUT™ has a unique new applicator tip that prevents Wipe-Out ™ from gushing back
out of the barrel. Simply hold the applicator tip against the muzzle or
bore guide and apply the Wipe-Out ™ All that is necessary is a short
burst. Wipe-Out ™ is designed to rapidly expand into the barrel , like
shaving cream. The
applicator tip may also be reversed for large caliber firearms or muzzle loading
firearms up to 62 caliber.

Reverse the Adapter for Large Caliber
Firearms or Muzzle Loaders
Wipe-Out ™ is simple to apply. Put the gun in a cradle or
rest horizontally. Apply the product to the muzzle with your finger loosely in
the chamber. Shake the can very well before applying. Push the muzzle
adapter tight against the muzzle. Count one -thousand one, one-
thousand two, and that should be it. You will feel the product on your
finger. When the barrel is full a small amount will be present in the
chamber.......it needs cleaning too. The next part is the best. Walk away! No
brushing! In 60 minutes you return and push a good cotton patch through
the barrel. Make sure you have a caliber specific jag. This assures a tight fit,
and guarantees cleaning to the very bottom of the grooves.

BREECH APPLICATION FOR LARGE CALIBERS
Slide a soda straw on the can spout
after you remove the black adapter. Then slide the black adapter on the
straw, with the adapter pointed forwards. (Like a Cone) This method is
used when you are applying Wipe-Out to rifles larger than 30 caliber. The
cone will block the chamber allowing you to push the straw into the neck of the
chamber.
WIPE-OUT™ tells you when your firearm is fouled with powder residue, carbon, and metal fouling
by the color left on a patch.
Simply apply the Wipe-Out ™ to the muzzle or to the chamber( with the use of a bore guide) until it is full.
You may remove the muzzle adapter and put a plastic soda straw (Mc
Donald's
is just the right size) on the can spout, if you choose to apply to a bore
guide, or if you have a muzzle brake.
Set the firearm on the bench horizontally. Let it sit for 60 minutes.
After 60 minutes has elapsed, put a clean cotton patch on a jag and push through the bore.
The color on the patch will tell you what to do next.
Powder fouling (both smokeless powder and black powder) will be grayish black on the patch.
Copper fouling will be deep navy blue.
(Note the blue stain on the patch and
on the product dripping off the muzzle)
Carbon will be tannish to brown in color.
Please be aware that large amounts of fouling on a very dirty firearm can build up in layers.

IF THERE IS NO COLOR ON THE PATCH..........THE FIREARM IS CLEAN.
IF THERE IS ANY COLOR ON THE PATCH: Apply the Wipe-Out ™ again to the barrel.
If the first patch showed all three colors, the gun is heavily fouled. Let the gun set for
60 minutes or more, overnight is best. Wipe-Out ™ will continue to
work for 24 to 36 hours.
Wipe-Out ™ was formulated for long term soaking, to absolutely remove the
most stubborn fouling.
Push a clean patch through the bore. If there is still color on the patch re-apply and let set for a longer period of time.
A very heavily fouled gun may take several overnight sessions, until no color
shows on a patch.
A PATCH WITH NO EVIDENCE OF COLOR IS EVIDENCE OF A CLEAN FIREARM.
Deep navy blue on a patch is evidence of heavy copper fouling.
In cases where the firearm has not been properly cleaned, or when it has been shot quite a number of times
Wipe-Out ™may be applied and the gun left to set overnight.
Patch out the bore in the morning, as usual.
Re-apply Wipe-Out ™, and let firearm set 60 minutes. There should be no evidence of color.
Remember always let the firearm rest horizontally......never muzzle-up when using
WIPE-OUT™.
Finally technology allows us to accomplish a really clean bore with only simple
soaking.
Removal of metal fouling and carbon along with powder fouling will restore accuracy to unclean firearms.
We have found many firearms that were thought to be "shot-out" and with proper cleaning were put back into good working condition.
WIPE-OUT ™ RESTORES BARREL LIFE AND ACCURACY TO THESE GUNS.


SPECIAL NOTE FOR ALL SHOOTERS SHOOTING LEAD
BULLETS.
We specifically state
that Wipe-out does not dissolve lead. Most
chemicals that dissolve lead produce a galvanic reaction.
This reaction in effect acts like a battery. In most cases it will etch
steel ( both stainless and carbon steel).
It
is for this reason that we don't use chemicals that specifically work on lead.
We use chemicals that will dissolve the other
metals ( tin , antimony, zinc, etc.) that are incorporated in most bullet
alloys. So we work to destroy the integrity of
the bullet alloy, and it begins to come apart in small black flakes.
This process takes about 24 to 36 hours.
So
while Wipe-Out™
does not dissolve lead , it will degrade the alloy so that it can be pushed out
with a tight patch.

Black Powder :
Black Powder shooters have found that they have some specific
problems that most other shooters do not. A large number of shooters today using
black powder weapons, either use a plastic sabot with a jacketed bullet, or are
shooting lead alloy bullets. While Wipe-Out ™ is not designed to dissolve
lead, it does penetrate below the lead fouling, allowing it to be pushed out
with a patch. This is true for all handguns as well as all long guns firing lead
or lead alloy bullets.
Cleaning time with black powder weapons is even easier than center fire
firearms. You simply apply the product to the muzzle and wait 60 minutes, then
patch out the barrel. The color indicators will tell you if any fouling is
present. Re-apply and repeat the procedure if necessary. The Wipe-Out ™ can
has a unique muzzle adapter which may be turned around on the can spout making
it possible to apply Wipe-Out ™ to almost any caliber of primitive firearm.
This muzzle adapter will block up to .62 caliber weapons.
Shotguns :
The penetrants and cleaners in Wipe-Out ™ also get below the plastic
fouling of sabots and allow these deposits to be pushed out with a tight patch.
It is this unique property which makes Wipe-Out ™ a good choice for removing
plastic fouling from the chambers of modern shotguns.

PROPERTIES OF WIPE-OUT™
WIPE-OUT™ is practically odorless and non-flammable.
It contains a rust inhibitor, and will not stain hands of clothing.
It is safe for all modern paint, gunstock finishes and steels. It
however is not safe for varnish , shellac or old oil type finishes. IT
WILL REMOVE THEM.
It will dissolve brass, bronze,, and copper.
It will not dissolve lead but it will degrade lead so that it can be pushed out with a patch.
WIPE-OUT™ CANNOT CAUSE RUST.
It will not gum in either the action or the barrel.
WIPE-OUT™ is safe for all barrel steels, both stainless and carbon steel
WIPE-OUT™ is safe for all barrels with a CHROME LINED
BORE

SAFETY and PRECAUTIONS
WIPE-OUT™ is low in ph and because it is odorless it appears to be quite safe.
However it may cause damage to the eyes and skin. Be careful to clean hands and skin after using the product.
Flush, immediately if the product gets into the eyes. Keep out of the reach of children.
Always follow good safety procedures with this product.
Do not ingest.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not incinerate the can.
Do not store in temperatures above110 degrees Fahrenheit.

For information on breaking in a barrel properly using WIPE-OUT™, contact us and request the document # 70.

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE WIPE-OUT™ ?
WIPE-OUT™ is available in a 6 ounce can ........(5 ounces of product and 1 ounce of propellant.
There is enough Wipe-Out ™ in a can for about 75 applications.
It is recommended for rifles, pistols, revolvers, shotguns.
It works with all muzzle loading firearms.
WIPE-OUT™ will also clean flash hiders, muzzle brakes, and silencers.
The suggested retail price is $13.99 per can
It's made in the United States and meets all governmental criteria.
WIPE-OUT™ is a totally new formula which has been thoroughly tested and accepted by firearms, ammunition, and bullet manufacturers in the U.S.
YOUR SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED
If WIPE-OUT™ is not available from your local Distributor or Dealer ,you may purchase directly
from Paul Co.
Visa, Master Card, and C.O.D. accepted. Call us at 1-785-883-4444 or send
us an e-mail.
Sharp Shoot-R
Precision Products
TECHNICAL BULLETIN: HOW TO
USE THE "PROOF TEST" ©
The "PROOF TEST" is used any time you need to know what
condition the barrel is in. We use the "PROOF TEST" when we need to know if a
firearm is clean or needs to be cleaned.
TO RUN A "PROOF TEST" you put an
application of either WIPE-OUT ™ or PATCH-OUT ™ in the barrel of the gun you
wish to test. Let this application set in the barrel around 10 minutes. Push a
single patch thru tho bore. If there is any fouling present in this barrel it
will show up immediately on the patch. 10 minutes is long enough for the
chemicals in our formula to react to any sort of fouling.
1.Copper will show up on the patch with a deep
navy blue color.
2.Carbon will show up on a patch as the color
brown.
3.Powder fouling will always be gray or black
in color.
4. Molybdenum will show up as long black
stripes ( it’s coming off the bottom of the grooves)
No color or a clean white patch is evidence of a clean barrel.
We use this test any time we are not sure of the condition of
the bore.......or to determine if we need to re-apply
either WIPE-OUT ™ or PATCH-OUT ™.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SHOW COLOR ON A PATCH AFTER RUNNING THE
"PROOF TEST"
If you get any color on the patches it will be necessary to
re-apply either WIPE-OUT ™ or PATCH-OUT ™ and then let them set of another
overnight session. Color on a patch after an overnight session is evidence
that the cleaning products used in the past have been in-effective. The most
heavily fouled firearms usually do not require more than 3 overnight
applications. Run the "PROOF TEST" after each overnight session to see in the
firearm is once and for all finally clean.
DIRECTIONS FOR A BADLY FOULED BARREL
Badly fouled barrels that show color after the "PROOF TEST"
should have another application of either WIPE-OUT ™ or PATCH-OUT ™ and should
be left to soak overnight. Patch out the barrel the next morning and re-run the
"PROOF TEST" . No color means you have a dead clean bore. Now you should be able
to put 20 tp 50 rounds on this barrel and clean it in something less than 1
hour......in most cases under ½ hour. NO MORE GUESSING.......The "PROOF TEST" is
the most reliable way to determine the condition of your firearms.
If necessary and you have a barrel that is heavily fouled with
copper, you always have the option to use some ACCELERATOR ™. This product may
be used in conjunction with either WIPE-OUT ™ or PATCH-OUT ™
___________________________________________________
Instructions for using WIPE-OUT
Revolutionary New Product because its
BRUSHLESS............................................................
. PUT IN A GUN YOU THINK IS CLEAN.........!
! ! ! !
WIPE-OUT™, a revolutionary product that solves all problems
encountered with conventional bore cleaners. Traditional products may have a
pleasant smell, but are totally in-effective for cleaning a firearm.
Loss of
accuracy is normal in all firearms after they have been used in a prolonged
shooting session.
The barrel will become fouled with gunpowder residue as a
result of combustion, additionally: two other materials are deposited internally
to the barrel,....... carbon and metal fouling from bullet material .
These two
are the most difficult to remove and are the greatest cause for the loss of
accuracy in a firearm. The standard practice has been to dunk a brush into the
cleaner and stroke the cleaning rod the length of the bore.
By the way use a
bore guide and a coated cleaning rod, this is a good way to prevent damage the
bore, crown, and the throat. A good deal of the evidence of fouling removal
comes from the bristles in the brush itself, (copper or bronze.)
A more recent
approach has been to product products with heavy amounts of acid and ammonia.
While acid and ammonia will remove metal fouling and carbon they are dangerous
to you and your firearm. Products containing large amounts of acids and ammonia
still require large amounts of brushing. The major problem also is a horrible
smell, and they are very dangerous to the steel used in gun barrels. There are
many sad shooters who have pitted a barrel using cleaners of this type. It is
quite easy using these products to permanently damage the interior of the barrel
with pitting. But Not With WIPE-OUT !
Count the number of strokes you take using conventional acid and ammonia base
cleaners. Conservatively it is over 100
strokes. Take that number times the number
of times you clean your firearm (monthly or annually or weekly ), and then again
multiply the number of years you have owned the piece. Conservatively
you will have a number in the thousands of
strokes you put thru that barrel.
It is impossible to put a cleaning rod into the best of
barrels several hundred thousand strokes without compromising the
quality of the barrel in some way.
With WIPE-OUT™ each cleaning session takes
no more than 2 or 3 patches. BOTTOM
LINE IS THAT WIPE-OUT™ WILL KEEP A GREAT BARREL IN PREMIUM CONDITION LONGER THAN
ANY OTHER CLEANING METHOD. BRUSHING A BARREL IS "DARK AGES "TECHNOLOGY.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF--------WIPE-OUT™
THE FIRST FIREARM YOU CLEAN WITH WIPE-OUT™ SHOULD
BE ONE YOU THINK IS CLEAN. .
Simply hold the applicator tip against the muzzle or bore guide and apply the
WIPE-OUT™. All that is necessary is a short burst, generally a -two count works.
WIPE-OUT™ designed to rapidly expand into the barrel, likee shaving cream. The
applicator tip may also be reversed for large caliber firearms or muzzle loading
firearms up to 62 caliber. WIPE-OUT™ may be applied to the breech end by
removing the top of the can and installing our new WSA-007 adapter. This
adapter may be moved from an empty can to a fresh one. Or you may convert the adapter on the nozzle and replacing it with a plastic soda straw( Mc
Donald’s or Subway has the right size)or a 10 to 12 inch piece of clear 3/8 O.D.
plastic icemaker hose. Push the straw into the neck of the
chamber and apply. We introduced a great new applicator that has an 8" hose the
WSA-007.
WIPE-OUT™ tells you when your firearm is fouled with powder residue, carbon,
and metal fouling by the color left on a patch. What you must do is get to a
clean barrel, where you have no color showing on a patch. Simply apply WIPE-OUT™
to the muzzle or to the chamber( with the use of a bore guide) clear icemaker
hose or the plastic
soda straw on the can spout until the barrel is full.
Set the firearm on the bench horizontally. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Heavily
fouled guns or those cleaned with other products should be left overnight on the
first cleaning. Patch out in the morning. Re-apply WIPE-OUT™ and wait 10
minutes. Patch out and check for any color. If color is present.......re-apply
and let set overnight. Repeat the morning procedure. Once the gun is really
clean, .......a normal shooting session (20 to 60 rounds) can be cleaned in less
than one hour. You have to get the barrel
clean to start with.......The reason we ask you to start with a gun you think is
clean .............is so that you will understand what ineffective
cleaners have been leaving in your barrel.
Also there may be a distinct layering
effect of fouling which is caused by ineffective cleaning. The barrel may
actually have as many as 7 or 8 layers of fouling which is probably the most
difficult to remove. The barrel withthis type of fouling may take 3 or 4
overnight applications of Wipe-Out™ to finally get to a clean patch with no
color. After 20 minutes has elapsed, push a clean cotton
patch on a jag through the bore .
Powder fouling (both smokeless powder and black powder) will be grayish black
on the patch .Copper fouling will be deep navy blue.Carbon will be tannish to
brown in color . Please be aware that large amounts of fouling on a very
dirty firearm can build up in layers.
IF THERE IS NO COLOR ON THE PATCH..........THE FIREARM IS CLEAN.
IF THERE IS ANY
COLOR ON THE PATCH: Apply the WIPE-OUT™ again to the barrel.
If the first patch showed all three colors, the gun is heavily fouled. Let
the gun set for 20 minutes or more . You are assured that as long as its in the
jell state, WIPE-OUT™, is still working . Push a clean patch through the bore.
If there is still color on the patch re-apply and set for a longer period of
time. Whenever possible the easiest method using WIPE-OUT™ is to LET IT SET
OVERNIGHT.
REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING: A
PATCH WITH NO EVIDENCE OF COLOR IS EVIDENCE OF A CLEAN FIREARM . Deep navy blue
on a patch is evidence of heavy copper fouling .In cases where the firearm has
not been properly cleaned, or shot quite a number of times (varmint shooting)
WIPE-OUT™ may be applied and the gun left to set overnight, with no harm to the
firearm. Patch out the bore in the morning , Re-apply WIPE-OUT™ , and let
firearm set 10 minutes. There should be NO EVIDENCE OF COLOR ON A PATCH. Always
let the firearm rest horizontally......never muzzle-up when using WIPE-OUT™.
Removal of metal fouling and carbon along with powder fouling will restore
accuracy to unclean firearms . We have found many firearms that were thought to
be "shot-out", when cleaned properly, the original accuracy was restored . These
guns were simply cleaned ineffectively. WIPE-OUT™ cleans the bore without
brushing .
WIPE-OUT™ RESTORES BARREL LIFE AND ACCURACY TO THESE GUNS.WIPE-OUT™ is
odorless and non-flammable, It contains a rust inhibitor, and will not stain
hands of clothing .While safe for all modern paint, gunstock finishes and
steels.
WIPE-OUT™ is not safe for varnish , shellac, laquer, TRU-OIL, LIN-SPEED,
linseed oil or tung oil, or old oil type finishes. It will remove them.I you get
WIPE-OUT or PATCH-OUT on this type of finish........wipe it of immediately with
a damp cloth. However WIPE-OUT™ is safe for all modern finishes - poly urethanes and epoxies.
It will dissolve brass, bronze, and copper.
Most aluminum (AR-15/M-16 receivers
and all aluminum pistol frames) are safe with Wipe-Out ™ , but some will
discolor to a dull grey. IF you have any doubt try a test area where it will not
be visible. Wipe-Out ™ will NOT DISSOLVE LEAD but it will degrade lead so that
it can be pushed out with a patch. WIPE-OUT™ contains no acid and no ammonia. WIPE-OUT™
CANNOT CAUSE RUST. It will not gum, or form solids in either the action or the
barrel .WIPE-OUT™ is safe for all barrel steels, both stainless and carbon
steel. NOTE: WIPE-OUT will remove Molybdenum.
SAFETY and PRECAUTIONS WIPE-OUT is low in ph and because it is
odorless it appears to be quite safe. However prolonged contact may cause damage
to the eyes and skin. Be careful to clean hands and skin after using the
product. Flush, immediately if the product gets into the eyes. Keep out of the
reach of children . Always follow good safety procedures with this product. Do
not ingest Keep out of the reach of children. Do not incinerate the can. Do not
store in temperatures above110 degrees Fahrenheit . WIPE-OUT™ is a convenient to
use and will completely clean a BLACK POWDER FIREARM in a few minutes. There is
enough WIPE-OUT™ in a can to clean more than 100 firearms .It is recommended for
rifles, pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and it works with all muzzle loading
firearms . WIPE-OUT™ will also clean flash-hiders , muzzle brakes, and silencers
.The suggested retail price is $13.99 per can .It's made in the United States
and meets all governmental criteria .
Sharp Shoot R Precision Inc
Box 171 -Paola , KS 66071
785-883-4444 Pho . -785-883-2525 Fax
Try New ACCELERATOR™ for Wipe-Out™ it will double the speed of Wipe-Out™ and
double the amount of fouling removed, especially copper and carbon. An 8 ounce
bottle of ACCELERATOR™ retails for $9.99 per bottle and will last through about
3 cans of Wipe-Out™. To apply, simply wet a patch with ACCELERATOR™ and shoot
Wipe-Out™ cream in right behind it.
Copyright © 1999-2007 Sharpshoot R Precision. All rights
reserved .
Barrel Break In
Document#70 ©
Let’s start by discussing the particular nature of the
inside of a barrel in a modern firearm. There are practically no standards of
barrel material (which may be carbon steel or stainless), nor are there very many
standards in the methods of producing the rifling inside. With this in mind it
is easy to understand why there are not many "givens" in the process of barrel
break in. Most of the barrels produced fall into two classes. "Factory barrels"
are those that come your major brand complete firearm. "Custom barrels" produced
by independent custom manufacturers, that offer a wider range of selection and
generally a much higher degree of quality. The "Custom barrel" is usually
installed by your favorite gunsmith or custom rifle maker.
The rifling process starts with thru-drilling a blank of
barrel steel. The straightness of this primary hole drilling is just as
important as the following methods of rifling are. Barrel makers have a varied
number of grooves in the rifling they can produce. This process is usually
achieved by either one of three methods. The way most barrels were made for
centuries was to "Cut" rifling in the barrel by the means of a Hook and Broach.
Today most barrels produced by this method are called "Cut Rifle Barrels". The
second method of producing rifling in a barrel is called "Button Rifled
Barrels". A button made usually of a carbide steel alloy, is forced thru the
barrel to produce a "Button Rifle Barrel". Lastly is the "Hammer-forged barrel"
which is produced by first thru-drilling an oversize hole, placing a mandrel
inside which has the rifling on its exterior. The barrel blank is then
"hammered" with tremendous pressure in a 360 manner to shrink the barrel down
around the mandrel. All of these processes are capable of producing barrels that
can produce incredible accuracy.
Let’s get a couple of things straight in our thinking. You
probably have heard about "rough" barrels, and very "smooth" barrels. I can tell
you for a certainty that there are both "rough barrels "and "smooth barrels"
that have great accuracy. The "rough barrel" will, however, generally allow
fouling to build up quicker. You have to be aware of this fact when you are
breaking in your new barrel. You will be looking for factors that will help you
determine which of the two groups this new barrel is going fit in. If it’s going
to be in the "rough barrel" group you’re just going to have to clean more often.
"Custom barrels" generally have been lapped to one degree or the other before
they leave the factory. It’s a good idea to find out from the maker if this is
part of their practice because lapping will start the break in process. "Factory
barrels" have no general rule either when it comes to lapping. You need to check
this out in every instance. Lapping can smooth the barrel and help to minimize
the build-up of fouling. Lapping by the way is achieved by using a mild abrasive
on a patch and "working " on the rough spots, a process done exclusively by
feel.
Just what the heck comprises fouling ? Well fouling in a
barrel really could be considered anything that is deposited after a round has
been fired. Fouling build-up is what causes a barrel to lose accuracy. Fouling
is found in three major categories, and several minor ones. Lets look at the "majors"
first !
1. Powder and primer fouling leave a gritty greyish black
residue. Powder fouling generally has some degree of corrosive nature on any
type of steel. Black powder fouling is highly corrosive and needs to be removed
immediately. Shooting a black powder firearm can give you a much better
understanding of what the negative nature of fouling is, because a black powder
firearm will lose accuracy due to fouling after a very few shots ( 4 or 5 shots
usually) Smokeless powder fouling is not as pronounces because it produces less
residue than black powder. Clean burning powder is a good thing ! There is still
a lot of military ammunition around that uses highly corrosive primers and
powder. This fouling like black powder needs to be cleaned and neutralized
immediately. You also need to know what the fouling threshold is an any
particular firearm. This is part of the education you receive in barrel break
in. By the way powder fouling is deposited over most the inner barrel surface.
An ugly sub-species of fouling is the particular propensity
of the deterrent coating on ball powder. This fouling is normally present in the
area directly ahead of the throat. It is one of the most difficult form of
fouling to remove. It is powder fouling, but leaves a particularly nasty form of
hard carbon fouling that is almost crystalline in nature.
2.Carbon fouling is caused by the by products of burning
powder. Carbon fouling can also be caused by the burning oil you left in the
barrel. Carbon will always look brown on a patch, and it is distinctly different
in color from powder fouling. Carbon is usually deposited in the rear 20 percent
of the barrel You can see lots of carbon build-up in the "throat area of the
barrel. The throat is just forward of the chamber. A bore scope will also show
you just what the flame temperature of the powder will do to the throat. You
will see a lot of fissures and cracks in the steel, and these are generally
filled with carbon. When the "throat " is gone or "shot out", so is the accuracy
of the barrel. Carbon fouling is probably the most difficult to remove, because
it has a great "cling" factor. Cool burning powders are a "good thing."
3. Copper fouling in general has been one of the most
over-looked areas of barrel fouling. Most of the old traditional "Powder
Solvents", are just that. They get rid of most f the powder fouling, some of the
carbon, and NONE of the copper fouling. I personally have seen many rifles that
had as many as 6 or 7 distinct layers of fouling, just like a "Black Forest
Torte". There are many firearms, the dealers tell me; are traded in because the
owner believes the rifle is "shot out." In most cases they are badly copper
fouled, and are in need of a good cleaning. When the copper is removed these
rifles return to their previous accuracy. Copper fouling is generally found in
the last 20 percent of the barrel. The reason for this is that this portion of
the barrel is where the bullet has achieved maximum velocity, and maximum
friction. Believe it or not, most of the barrel heat is caused by bullet
friction. Flame temperatures from burning powder can be felt in the chamber
area. Bullet friction is felt at the end of the barrel. You should notice that
the mid portion of the barrel is a bit cooler than either one of the previously
mentioned. Rifle target shooters and varmint hunters for the most part have been
long been aware of problems caused by copper fouling. If copper fouling is
present it is easily visible to the naked eye. Look down the muzzle end of the
rifle using a strong light. If it’s there, .......there will be pronounced
copper streaks on the rifling. In the past the only way to remove copper has
been with strong solutions containing lots of ammonia. The removal always
required lots and lots of brushing. Along with that there have been lots of
rifles that were not "shot out" they were "cleaned out." Just count the number
of passes you take thru a barrel using this stuff. Then multiply that number
times the number of cleanings, and finally multiply that number times the age.
The product is thousands of strokes through a barrel. There is NO way you can
pass a cleaning rod thru a barrel that many times and "NOT" compromise the
quality of the barrel. Brushing is not a "good thing."
With all this in mind we now can turn to the task itself of
breaking in a new barrel. Generally we can say that most new barrels are "broken
in" somewhere between 50 and 100 rounds. In my personal experience I have seen
some factory barrels that would not settle down in to shooting good groups until
200 or so rounds had been fired. You should be able to see a marked improvement
in grouping as the barrel "breaks in".
Firstly you need to make sure that your new barrel is dead
clean. Apply Wipe-Out™ or Patch-Out™ and let it sit for an 20 minutes. Patch out
the barrel and re-apply Wipe-Out ,or Patch-Out™ letting the second application
sit of at least 10 minutes. This second application is a "Proof Test". It will ‘
prove’ if the first application really got the barrel clean. Twenty minutes is
long enough for the chemicals in Wipe-Out to react if there is any fouling left
in the barrel. Remember that copper will leave a blue patch. Powder fouling will
leave a patch greyish black. Carbon will always leave a brown color on the
patch. If, after the second application of Wipe-Out or Patch-Out™ there is still
color on the patch, you will need to re-apply Wipe-Out or Patch-Out™ and let it
set overnight. When you get a clean white patch, using Wipe-Out, that means that
the barrel is "dead clean".
THE ACTUAL BREAK IN
PROCESS
We can now start the " break in" process. What we want is
to let the barrel tell us how far we are in the "break in " process. I also
recommend using a good coated one piece cleaning rod and a bore guide in the
cleaning process. Be sure to use a caliber specific jag and good 100% cotton
patches.
What we are going
to do is to always shoot for a group.
It is group size that is a major factor in determining if your barrel is
breaking in. The groups should get progressively smaller as the barrel is
breaking in. You would have no idea of your progress if you were pinned to the
old method of "one shot and clean’. Most good modern barrels will be "broken in"
in somewhere between 25 and 100 rounds.
Step # 1
With a clean barrel
the first thing I recommend is to fire three shots, using ammunition that I know
is accurate in this cartridge. Remember that we are shooting for the best
grouping possible. The concentration of shots into a small group will also tell
us how far along the barrel is in the "break in " process. I then apply Wipe-Ou
or Patch-Out™ t and let the bore cleaner sit for approximately 20 minutes. Pay
close attention to the color left on the patches, because the color will tell
you what is going on in the barrel with regard to fouling.
Step#2 (no evidence of
copper on the patch)
Apply the second
application of Wipe-Out or Patch-Out™ .......the "proof test" application, and
let it set another 20 minutes. If you do not get any color on the patch after
this second application, you then know that the initial application really did
clean the barrel. You may the proceed shooting groups of three shots, cleaning
after each group of three. I normally will fire around 10 groups of three shots.
I am interested to see if the groups are tightening The barrel will tell you if
it is copper fouling by the patch color. If I am not getting blue on the patch,
I normally will increase to four shot groups, cleaning in between each fired
group. If I still have no evidence of copper on the patch after a four shot
group, I will then progress to five shot groups. The barrel will tell you if it
is copper fouling by the evidence left on the patch.
Step #2A ( Patch has
blue on the patch)
If I get evidence
of copper on the patch after the second application, it will probably be best to
drop down to shooting groups with 2 shots. Make sure that the barrel is clean,
with no color on the patches. Then begin shooting two shot groups. If the barrel
is showing lots of copper (blue) on the patch with two shot groups, then it is
time to use Wipe-Out or Patch-Out™ and Accelerator. This will speed the time it
takes to remove the copper. Also it will speed up the time between firings.
Repeat two shot groups cleaning between each group firing. When you get very
little evidence of copper blue color on the patch, it is time to go to three
shot groups.
The barrel may
still show evidence of copper after total 100 rounds has been fired in groups of
two, three, four or five . That is not indicative of anything other than the
fact that this barrel will copper foul easily and it will need to be cleaned
more often.
Many custom barrels will show little or no copper during
the "break in" period. What is most
important is that the barrel is clean between each group firing.
As the barrel is breaking in you will be
able to realize a definite improvement in group size. Smaller for a change, is
always better. The beauty using Wipe-Out or Patch-Out™ in the "break in "
process is the fact that the barrel quality has not been compromised by endless
amounts of brushing. Nor are you using a witches brew of 4 or 5 chemical
products, each accompanied by more and more brushing.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call. I
will be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
Best regards,
Terry Paul
Sharp Shoot R Precision Products
785-883-4444 Phone
785-883-2525 Fax
Copyright © 2012, Sharp Shoot R Precision. - All rights reserved.


To order WIPE-OUT™
|