“TACTICAL ADVANTAGE”

THE VERY FIRST PRODUCT TO ANSWER THE PROBLEMS OF FOULED TACTICAL AR PLATFORMS

The Story Behind “Tactical Advantage”

I must admit that the idea for “Tactical Advantage” was not mine. We do business with a military contractor who will remain nameless for obvious reasons. They use our “Patch-Out”and “Wipe-Out” on their bolt action sniper rifles. The use “Patch-Out” in the field. Primarily because of airline restrictions not allowing aerosols to be transported in aircraft. “Wipe-Out” is used at the local ranges and posts. Well, I got a call from their big Kahuna, asking if we could help with a serious problem they were Having with their M-4’s and M-16’s. These guns after a protracted firefight were not operating in full-auto mode. They would only function in semi-auto mode. This put most of the teams at risk, since full-auto mode is used for supressing, or cover fire. He went on to tell me that it was taking 4 hours to get these guns , “military grade” clean. They were literally grinding out the inside of the bolt carrier with a drill and a 50 caliber brush.

The big Kahuna said “ Can you make us a cleaner that will remove copper, carbon, and powder fouling from the bore, but can also clean up the bolt carrier and the gas system ?”

We went to work and 6 months later w announced “Tactical Advantage”. It is used like a conventional bore cleaner straight out of the bottle. And it can be diluted with tap water to a 30% or a 40% solution and then sprayed or dripped on the bolt and gas system. Let it stand for 10 to 20 minutes and wipe dry. Oil the part if it is part of the bolt.

Needless to say the military contractor is delirious with the product. He went on to tell me this morning that “Tactical Advantage” is keeping rifles on the firing line that would have been scrapped in the past. As of today there have been no M-4’s or M-16’s in his group that have been trashed. Last year there were several hundred.

This is the only cleaner ever developed to address the problems associated with the Stoner AR platform.

Cleans the bore, bolt carrier, bolt, gas tube etc.

Sharp Shoot R™ Precision Products® announces a great new product that is the first product dedicated solely for the problems faced by the tactical shooter. Wipe-Out “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™” which is to be used as a conventional non-aerosol for special use with firearms that are used in tactical applications. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE is an answer to specific problems, where the shooter has need for a very carbon aggressive bore cleaner that will also remove copper fouling as well as powder fouling with a minimum of effort. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ like other “Wipe-Out ™ products is 100% brushless. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ has a dual use for cleaning tactical firearms.

1. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ is a brushless bore cleaner.

2. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ When mixed with water on a 50/50 ratio and sprayed on bolt carriers and bolts will dissolve carbon on contact.

This exciting new product is easier to use and is considerably less messy, and is totally odorless. It has no complicated method of application. You simply put it on a patch or a mop and swab it thru the barrel, or spray it on a part you wish to clean.. No Muss No Fuss !

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ has been designed to be a maximum strength product. In our testing we found that “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ was capable of dissolving more fouling faster than any product currently on the market.

Methods of use: specifically for M-16’s, AR-15’s M4’s MP5’s HK91’s HK 93’s etc.

Read about Tactical Advantage in this write-up from AR15.com – CLICK TO READ

 

How to Use Tactical Advantage:

#1. A conventional bore cleaner that is applied to a patch, a nylon brush, or mop and allowed to soak while it dissolves the fouling left in the barrel. We prefer a nylon brush which will hold more chemical. Simply load the brush, push it in once and pull it out.

#2 A Pre- Soak Patch used before using WIPE-OUT “ACCELERATOR“™ and “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ will loosen powder fouling and speed the dissolving of copper and carbon. You This method will maximize the removal of fouling in the shortest possible time.

#3 Use “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ as a barrel swab in between relays or between shot strings to remove powder fouling and begin the job of dissolving carbon and copper. This method is a quick solution that will ensure the cleaning job you do when you have more time will be positive and complete. Many shooters need a product that will clean in the shortest time possible because they have severe time constraints. The body of competitive shooters falls in to this group because they all have minimal amounts of time to clean their firearms between relays. Additionally during break-in of a barrel it is normal to clean the barrel every few shots for at least the first 100 to 150 rounds. Or you may be a high volume shooter , who shoots a large number of rounds before being forced to clean due to the degradation of accuracy. In these particular situations a faster method of cleaning is necessary.

#4 Mix “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ in a 50/50 ratio and place in a spray bottle. Spray dirty parts fouled with powder residue and carbon. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™will remove this fouling on contact. (Use this same method for muzzle brakes and suppressors)

With the breach open apply into the barrel by means of a patch or nylon brush which has been wetted with

the solution. Place the firearm down horizontally on the bench. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes. Put a clean cotton patch on a good jag and push through the bore. The use of a bore brush to scrub is not necessary, ever. Simple and easy with no complication.

While this product has been designed to be totally brushless, admittedly there are those who still wish to use a brush. If the user will take two strokes through the bore with a nylon brush “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ will produce a luxurious thick lather. Allow it to set as per original instructions for faster results.

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ is meant to be used by itself as a cleaner, or in combination with ACCELERATOR™ .

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ is as safe to use as WIPE-OUT™ and in no manner compromises the safe use of either product.

Benefits of ‘TACTICAL ADVANTAGE’ ™ -WIPE-OUT™ Brushless Bore Cleaner©

“TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ it self is a revolutionary new product that is the only product of it’s type specifically designed for the problems of cleaning encountered by the tactical shooter.

Removal of metal fouling and carbon from the bore can rejuvenate and restore accuracy to and badly fouled firearm. Heavy amounts of brushing to the bore of a firearm can produce damage and unnecessary wear. New “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ and WIPE-OUT ACCELERATOR™ were formulated to utilize technology in the safe removal of all types of fouling from the barrel faster, and more efficiently…….and without brushing.

The criteria for this new product “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ were a tough group to satisfy individually let alone collectively. Sharp Shoot r Precision Inc. developed this product with the aid and consultation of competitive shooters, gunsmiths, barrel makers, and manufacturers within the firearms industry, who specifically have tactical firearms as their primary focus. The resulting research and development team produced a revolutionary new type catalyst to enhance the great properties of “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ -WIPE-OUT™ Brushless Bore Cleaner©:

 

I. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ will dissolve copper , bronze, cupro-nickel, brass fouling in the bore twice as fast and in half the time without brushing.

II. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ will protect all metal parts including the bore against corrosion & rust.

III. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ is totally safe for all steels (both stainless and carbon)and all metal plating( including chrome lined barrels).

IV. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ is harmless to modern gunstock finishes on wood , carbon fiber, or fiberglas. (it is not for use on shellac, varnish or oil)

V. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ dissolves carbon without brushing

VI. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ dissolves smokeless powder fouling, and primer fouling, both corrosive and non-corrosive..

VII. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ has color indicators show the presence of metal fouling, powder fouling and carbon. (Metal fouling is navy blue, Powder fouling is grey or black, Carbon is tan or brown.)

VIII. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ is odorless, relatively safe and easy to use.

IX. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ cannot gum or leave behind solids that render the firearm useless.

X. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ contains NO ACID and NO AMMONIA.

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ is available in a 8 ounce plastic bottle with a flip top lid. This bottle is capable of cleaning

the amount of firearms that can be cleaned with 2 cans of WIPE-OUT™.  Manufactured and sold by, Sharp Shoot R.

66071. Pho:785-883-4444 or by Fax at 785-883-2525, e-mail:getinfo@sharpshootr.com.

 

TECHNICAL BULLETIN 1:

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TACTICAL ADVANTAGE INSTRUCTIONS

“TACTICAL ADVANTAGE” ™ is a Revolutionary New Product…. made specifically for use in “tactical” firearms…M-16’s, AR-15’s M4’s MP5’s HK91’s HK 93’s etc..

Tactical firearms have very special cleaning problems. They have the normal array of normal fouling in the barrel. Among these are: copper fouling , powder fouling and carbon fouling. Secondarily there is a huge amount of carbon and powder fouling deposited over the working parts of the firearm…..for example , bolt and bolt carrier groups, trigger and trigger groups, gas tubes and finally suppressors. It is these special needs that we address with this great new special purpose product = “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™

PUT “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE”™ IN A GUN YOU THINK IS CLEAN………! ! ! ! ! a revolutionary product that solves all problems encountered with conventional bore cleaners. It is a revolutionary product because it is totally BRUSHLESS. 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.

To clean the barrel the standard practice has been to dunk a brush into the cleaner and stroke the cleaning rod the length of the bore. (Be sure when you clean to use a good coated cleaning rod and a bore guide, that way there is no damage to 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…..but not “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™.

The competitive products contain chemicals which have a horrible smell, and 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 “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ !

This great new product is also designed to remove carbon fouling from bolts ,bolt carriers, triggers and trigger groups,gas tubes, flash hiders, silencers, muzzle brakes and suppressors……..on contact.

You simply mix it 50/50 with water, put it in a spray bottle and spray it on the parts to be cleaned of carbon and powder fouling.

Being a totally brushless product with “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ each cleaning session takes no more than 2 or 3 patches. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE”™  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——–“TACTICAL ADVANTAGE”™ THE FIRST FIREARM YOU CLEAN WITH “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE”™ SHOULD BE ONE YOU THINK IS CLEAN. .

Simply apply the “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ with a mop or a loose patch or a nylon brush. Don’t use a jag and a tight patch, because that method squeegee’s out all the chemical. I use a nylon brush because it holds the most chemical. An added benefit is the brush will make “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ suds. If you use a patch make sure that the patch is really juicy. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ designed to work with out brushing. Allow to set for 20 minutes. Push a clean patch thru the bore. Now apply a second application, and allow it to set for 10 minutes.

If you get no color on the second patch, you have proof that the barrel came clean in the first 20 minute session. Because of it’s anti corrosive ingredients it is not necessary to put oil in the bore. The oil will increase carbon deposits. This will also remove the necessity of taking fouling shots. Your cold barrel- first shot will be where the group is.

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ 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 “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ to the breech( with the use of a bore guide)until the barrel is well coated. Barrels heavily fouled with copper may be cleaned quicker with the addition of “ACCELERATOR ™

Set the firearm on the bench horizontally. Let it sit for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes has elapsed, push a clean cotton patch on a jag through the bore . Heavily fouled guns or those cleaned with other products should be left overnight on the first cleaning. Patch out in the morning. Re-apply “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ 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 with this type of fouling may take 2 or 3 overnight applications of “TACTICAL ADVANTAGEs2″™ to finally get to a clean patch with no color.

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 “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ 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 . 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 PATCH-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 “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ 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 “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ liquid, and let firearm set 60 minutes. There should be NO EVIDENCE OF COLOR ON A PATCH. Always let the firearm rest horizontally……never muzzle-up when using “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ .

“TACTICAL ADVANTAGE”™ RESTORES BARREL LIFE AND ACCURACY TO THESE GUNS. It’s odorless and non-flammable, It contains a rust inhibitor, and will not stain hands of clothing .

“TACTICAL ADVANTAGE”™ is not safe for varnish , shellac or old oil type wood finishes. It will remove them. However “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE”™ is safe for all the modern finishes ( poly-urethanes, and epoxys) and all types of synthetic stocks It will dissolve brass, bronze, and copper. Most aluminums (AR-15/M-16 receivers and all aluminum pistol frames) are safe with “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ , but some will discolor to a dull grey. IF you have any doubt try a test area where it will not be visible. “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ will NOT DISSOLVE LEAD but it will degrade lead so that it can be pushed out with a patch.”TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ contains no acid and no ammonia.”TACTICAL ADVANTAGE”™ CANNOT CAUSE RUST. It will not gum, or form solids in either the action or the barrel .”TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ is safe for all barrel steels,including chrome lined bores and both stainless and carbon steel. Note: “TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ will remove Molybdenum.

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE“™ is recommended for rifles, pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and will also clean suppressors, flash-hiders , muzzle brakes, and silencers. It’s made in the United States and meets all governmental criteria.

TECHNICAL BULLETIN 2:

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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 ™

 

TECHNICAL BULLETIN 3:

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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 360E 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 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 150 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-OutTM or Patch-OutTM and let it sit for an 20 minutes. Patch out the barrel and re-apply Wipe-Out ,or Patch-OutTM 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. Ten 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-OutTM there is still color on the patch, you will need to re-apply Wipe-Out or Patch-Out TM and let it set overnight. When you get a clean white patch, using Wipe-Out, that means that the barrel is “dead clean”. (WE CONSTANTLY USE THE PROOF TEST WHENEVER WE ARE NOT SURE IF A BARREL IS 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 150 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-Out or Patch-Out TM 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-OutTM …….the “proof test” application, and let it set another 10 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 5 three shots, cleaning 20 minutes after each group of three. I normally will fire around 5 groups of three shots. I am interested to see if the groups are getting smaller. The barrel will tell you what you are removing by the patch color.

Step #3

Now I normally will increase to four shot groups. The first 4 shot group you will clean for 20 minutes. Now do the proof test for 10 minutes on this first 4 shot group. You may the proceed shooting 5 four shots groups, cleaning 20 minutes after each group of three.

Step #4

Lastly, I will then progress to five shot groups. The first 5 shot group you will clean for 20 minutes. Now do the proof test for 10 minutes on this first 5 shot group. If I get evidence of huge amounts of copper on the patch after the second application, it will probably be best to drop down to shooting groups with 2 shots. Just make sure that the barrel is clean, with no color on the patches using the “proof test”.

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.

Step #5

Conclusion

Now it’s time to evaluate the end of the break in cycle,……..after the last 5 shot group is fired and the barrel has been cleaned. In this process you will have fired somewhere between 65 and 85 rounds. But the most important fact is that , all along the way we have been shooting groups. We know that, as the barrel is breaking in ….the groups are getting smaller. When those groups stop shrinking in size………..the barrel is broken in.

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-OutTM 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.

TECHNICAL BULLETIN 4:

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I received my samples of these gun cleaners from Sharp Shoot R precision products yesterday. I tried all three today and must say I am very impressed. These products are all safe for chrome lined bores and clean better than anything else I have used.  My first test was with the Wipe Out foaming cleaner. It kind of reminded me of oven cleaner but it didn’t smell toxic like
oven cleaner. My gun for the cleaning test is an endurance gun that has had about 3000 rounds through it with no cleaning or maintenance. I sprayed the Wipe out down the bore and let it soak for an hour. This is what my first patch through looked like. The blue color is from the copper fouling.

Since I was still getting soiled patches after patching several times I then put some Patch Out in the bore. I think this is pretty much the same thing as the Wipe Out only its not a foaming product. I let it sit for 20 minutes or so and patched it again. This time after 4 or 5 more patches the last patch came out clean. One thing I did notice about this stuff is that I had to cut my .223 size patches in half to run the first couple of patches through. This stuff isn’t oily and the patch sort of sticks a bit until you get the stuff wiped out so a smaller patch was neccessary initially. After that a normal sized patch worked fine. For the carrier I decided to coat everything with Tactical Advantage.

This is sort of an all around cleaning product that cleans copper, carbon and powder residue. I really think this is probably the best all around cleaner. I would expect that it would clean the bore similarly to the foaming wipe out if you let it soak in the bore for a while. But it really shined in cleaning the carbon residue from the carrier assembly. Here’s what it looked like before I started cleaning it. It was black inside and out…Read More

 

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