How do I know when the barrel is clean?

[Tim K]

I shot my 40X today down at the OTC and got some funny results. They weren't so screwy that it's impossible it was just me having a bad day. It could have been me, but it didn't feel like it. Talking with one of the Team USA shooters there, we got to discussing lead fouling. He says he uses some sort of bore paste when the barrel gets fouled.

I got home and cleaned it, and I realized I don't know how to tell if it's fouled or not. Patches on a jag come out with just the faintest trace of grey. It's the same color that I get out of it when it's soaked with solvent, just very, very faint. I don't feel any rough spots with a very tight patch. Looking down the bore, it appears to be spotless. I don't have a borescope anymore, so I can't get a meaningful look down it.

Would I be able to see lead fouling with the naked eye? Would there be other signs I should be able to detect?

I like cleaning my centerfire barrels because I know exactly how to tell when I'm done!

It was probably me. I wasn't 100% behind the gun tonight, but I'd sure like to be able to rule out the possibility that the barrel is fouled.

[asmo]

For me.. If I have something really fouled from lead then I clean it normally to get the major gunk out -- then its on to the JB Bore Paste. I run that through a number of times and then run clean patches until I don't see anything more from the grooves on the clean patch. Then follow with some Kroil.

[BPTactical]

Why would we knowingly put an abrasive substance down our bore?
Sweets, Shooters Choice, MPro7 and Tetra will all cut lead deposits. Give them time to work and you will be quite surprised.

[davsel]

Outers Foul Out
Cleaner bores through science.

[Hoser]

Kroil and Shooters Choice Lead Remover works for me. I use VFG felt pellets instead of patches. They work much better than patches and keep the rod centered in the bore.

I use JB Bore Bright every 1,000 rounds or so.

Using a bore-scope, I also keep an eye out for a carbon ring just forward of the chamber.