Problems cleaning my .22?

[crushingstep7]

So I noticed when I clean my .22 (using Hoppe's #9) some silver looking metal comes out in small shreds through the crown of the barrel. Is this damage or is it the cleaning rod being torn up by the rifling?

If it is damage how serious is it?

 

[catdd]

The cleaning brush is normally brass so it wouldn't be silver. You sure you have a .22 cleaning kit? If you are having to force it through the barrel then you should back off before you do some damage.

 

[osan]

So I noticed when I clean my .22 (using Hoppe's #9) some silver looking metal comes out in small shreds through the crown of the barrel. Is this damage or is it the cleaning rod being torn up by the rifling?

If it is damage how serious is it?

You really do not need to clean the barrel on a .22 very often. For example, when we start a season of competitive shooting (pistol), we start with a clean barrel and run at least 200 rounds through the gun to get it "seasoned", so to speak. In that time the barrel will take on some leading and will adjust itself until it is "happy", at which time your accuracy will stabilize and you will be in good shape to go. Cleaning your barrel every time you use it will only louse up your accuracy, so don't bother.

Cleaning the action, OTOH, is fine. Remove bolt, slosh it in solvent, dry, inspect for anything funny looking, apply oil, reassemble, and you are good. If you have a "season", at the end, clean your barrel, then run ammo through it until accuracy is where you want it and you are ready to start again.

Finally, you can run literally millions of rounds through a .22 before the barrel will show any notable wear. I would also consider not using plated bullets - only cast lead - but that is my personal preference.

 

[pcosmar]

I suspect what you are seeing is lead. It may appear to be silver.
The lead will be deposited in the grooves of rifling and does need to be cleaned out from time to time.

The only other "silver" would be from a chrome lined barrel. If you are getting chrome off by any cleaning process,,there is a problem. (piss poor chrome plating)

Check your barrel after cleaning and see if there are any visible defects.

 

[Acala]

could be

My guess would be lead fouling being loosened OR shavings off the side of the cleaning rod. Are you cleaning from the muzzle end? You shouldn't if you have a choice.

 

[Southron]

I agree on not over cleaning your .22.

More barrels have probably been worn out from too much cleaning than actually firing.

 

[crushingstep7]

Well, I'm cleaning from the muzzle end - no other choice.
I guess I am cleaning it off too often...

but yeah, silver shavings, some small marks up at the crown of the barrel. The kit says it's for .22 and up.
Hm...

 

[KCIndy]

Well, I'm cleaning from the muzzle end - no other choice.
I guess I am cleaning it off too often...

but yeah, silver shavings, some small marks up at the crown of the barrel. The kit says it's for .22 and up.
Hm...

Try holding a magnet to the shavings. If they stick to the magnet, they're steel or iron. If they don't stick, it's likely they're shiny lead shavings.

 

[crushingstep7]

So... steel or iron is bad? And lead is good, right? lol I apologize, it's late and I'm still relaxing after working all day.

And just a side note - I shot 3/4 of my firearms for the first time yesterday!
I finally got a range membership, and got to shoot my .22, my 20 gauge single-shot, and my beloved M1A. Come to find out I'm a recoil junky... and I lost some hearing:o

 

[catdd]

Try holding a magnet to the shavings. If they stick to the magnet, they're steel or iron. If they don't stick, it's likely they're shiny lead shavings.

good idea

 

[pcosmar]

So... steel or iron is bad? And lead is good, right? lol I apologize, it's late and I'm still relaxing after working all day.

And just a side note - I shot 3/4 of my firearms for the first time yesterday!
I finally got a range membership, and got to shoot my .22, my 20 gauge single-shot, and my beloved M1A. Come to find out I'm a recoil junky... and I lost some hearing:o

Yes steel or Iron would be a bad sign. Lead is not good, but is normal. It can build up and affect accuracy, but it is normal to have some lead from shooting.

Hearing protection is a good idea too. Though I did a lot of shooting without and the ringing goes away.
Been to a few loud rock concerts also, my hearing is still ok in my old age.

 

[catdd]

I only use a barrel brush once in a great while and then only sparingly. Swabs with a little oil does fine.

 

[osan]

So... steel or iron is bad? And lead is good, right? lol I apologize, it's late and I'm still relaxing after working all day.

And just a side note - I shot 3/4 of my firearms for the first time yesterday!
I finally got a range membership, and got to shoot my .22, my 20 gauge single-shot, and my beloved M1A. Come to find out I'm a recoil junky... and I lost some hearing:o

If you don't want to have serious hearing problems later in life, cut the shit and get a pair of muffs. You can a get sound canceling set for about $20.

Don't go shooting without hearing protection again. You have been scolded.

 

[Free Moral Agent]

So I noticed when I clean my .22 (using Hoppe's #9) some silver looking metal comes out in small shreds through the crown of the barrel. Is this damage or is it the cleaning rod being torn up by the rifling?

If it is damage how serious is it?

I used the same exact kit on my Ruger 10/22 and have the same exact concern. I have just been lagging with putting up a thread.

 

[crushingstep7]

If you don't want to have serious hearing problems later in life, cut the shit and get a pair of muffs. You can a get sound canceling set for about $20.

Don't go shooting without hearing protection again. You have been scolded.

Haha I know, I regret doing it.


Thanks everyone, for the input and suggestions.

 

[senatorpjt]

When I am cleaning my .22 revolver, I get metal shavings when cleaning the cylinder that are very obviously from the edge of the rod touching the end of the cylinder. I have noticed that the brass shavings that appear are small enough that they do appear to be silver at first glance. When cleaning with an aluminum rod, they are of course, silver in color.

I also do get lead in the barrel. The easiest way to tell the difference is to look at them closely. The lead comes out as very thin pieces that are flat and squarish in shape, and the rod shavings are long, thin, and tend to curl.