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: ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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