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Ed's Red: make your own Bore Cleaner
BEAT THE HIGH PRICE OF BORE CLEANERS... (MIX YOUR OWN)
By Ed Harris Rev. 9-23-93
I got disgusted with the high price of rifle bore cleaner and the
use of harsh chemicals for copper removal which are neither
necessary nor desirable for cast bullet shooting. I wanted a
cleaner that was inexpensive, and effective, which provides
reasonable corrosion protection and adequate lubrication.
After looking over Hatcher's Notebook, I came up with my own
variation of Frankford Arsenal Cleaner No.18. The original
recipe called for equal parts of acetone, turpentine, Pratts
Astral Oil and sperm oil, and optionally 200 grams of lanolin
added per liter. Pratts Astral oil was nothing more than acid
free, deodorized kerosene. K1 kerosene of the type normally
sold for indoor space heaters can be substituted. Finding an
inexpensive and effective substitute for the sperm oil only took
a little research. I found that prior to about 1950 that most
automatic transmission fluid was sperm oil based. After talking
to an Amoco industrial representative we agreed the
organometallic antioxidants and surfactants in Dextron II ATF
made it highly suitable for our intended purpose.
While this cleaner local shooter's have dubbed "Ed's Red" (with
my profuse apologies to Bartle's and James) does nothing to
remove copper fouling, there are other preparations which do that
readily. More importantly, there is nothing in this cleaner
which reacts adversely with ammonia or other common decoppering
agents which might cause pitting. Shooter's Choice and some
other bore cleaners carry specific warnings about using them in
combination with other cleaners.
Ed's Red is effective in removing leading and powder residue,
provides reasonable lubrication, and does not appreciably affect
first shot point of impact. I find it an effective and
inexpensive all-purpose gun cleaner, which also works on black
powder and Pyrodex, as well as chlorate primers. Addition of
the lanolin is optional, and the cleaner works quite well without
it. However, the affinity of lanolin for water displaces
moisture if you use the cleaner for swabbing after water cleaning
from having used blackpowder, duplex loads or chlorate primers.
Since I have found that "ER" works on black powder and Pyrodex, I
stopped using water on my black powder guns, and have yet to
experience any rust. The lanolin does make the cleaner easier on
the hands, and provides better residual lubrication. Mix some
yourself. I hope it works as well for you as it does for me.
CONTENTS: Ed's Red Bore Cleaner
1 part Dextron II or IIe ATF, GM Spec. D-20265 or later.
1 part Kerosene - deodorized, K1
1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, (Stoddard Solvent)
Fed. Spec. TT-T-2981F, CAS #64741-49-9,
1 part Acetone, CAS #67-64-1.
Optional up to 1 lb. of anhydrous lanolin, USP per gallon
MIXING INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix outdoors, in good ventilation. Use a clean 1 gallon metal or chemical-
resistant HDPE or polypropylene plastic container. Add the ATF first. Use
this empty container to measure the other components, so that it is
thoroughly rinsed. If you incorporate the lanolin into the mixture, melt
this carefully in a double boiler, taking precautions against fire and pour
it into a larger container, rinsing the lanolin container with the bore
cleaner mix, stirring until it is all dissolved. A small quantity of 50-50
ATF/kerosene can be diverted for use as an "ER-compatible" gun oil, without
impairing the effectiveness of the resulting mix.
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR USING
Ed's Red Bore Cleaner:
1. Open the firearm action and ensure the bore is clear. Cleaning is
most effective when done while the barrel is still warm to the touch
from firing. Saturate a cotton patch with bore cleaner, wrap or
impale on jag and push it through the bore from breech to muzzle. The
patch should be a snug fit. Let the first patch fall off and do not
pull it back into the bore.
2. Wet a second patch, and similarly start it into the bore from the
breech, this time scrubbing from the throat area forward in 4-5"
strokes and advancing until the patch emerges out the muzzle.
Waiting approximately 1 minute to let the bore cleaner soak will
improve its action.
3. For pitted, heavily leaded or neglected bores a bronze brush wet with
bore cleaner may be used to remove stubborn deposits. This is
unnecessary for smooth, target-grade barrels in routine use.
4. Use a final wet patch pushed straight through the bore to flush out
loosened residue dissolved by Ed's Red. Let the patch fall off the jag
without pulling it back into the bore. If you are finished firing,
leaving the bore wet will protect it from rust.
5. Wipe spilled Ed's Red from exterior surfaces before storing the gun.
While Ed's Red is harmless to blue and nickel finishes, the acetone it
contains is harmful to most wood finishes).
6. Before firing again, push two dry patches through the bore and dry
the chamber, using a patch wrapped around a suitably sized brush or
jag. First shot point of impact usually will not be disturbed by Ed's
Red if the bore is cleaned as described.
7. I have determined to my satisfaction that when Ed's Red is used
exclusively, hot water cleaning is unnecessary after use of black
powder or chlorate primers. If hot water cleaning is used, you should
be sure to flush thoroughly with Ed's Red to prevents after-rusting
from residual moisture.
LABEL AND OBLIGATORY SAFETY WARNINGS:
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
RIFLE BORE CLEANER
CAUTION:
HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
1. Flammable mixture. Keep away from heat, sparks or flame.
2. FIRST AID, If swallowed DO NOT induce vomiting, call physician
immediately. In case of eye contact immediately flush thoroughly
with water and call a physician. For skin contact wash
thoroughly.
3. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing vapors or spray
mist. In closed areas wear repiratory protection meeting NIOSH
TC23C or equivalent. Reports have associated repeated and
prolonged occupation overexposure to solvents with permanent brain
and nervous system damage. Keep container tightly closed when not
in use.
In Home Mix We Trust, Regards, Ed
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