What's the "BEST" gun cleaner/solvent

[justinLB]

Like the title says, whats your go-to cleaner? I ask because ive been cleaning my tikka for well over an hour now and patches are still coming out dirty! Ive tried butch's, Barnes cr-10, and Blue Wonder.

[M. Sage]

Soap and water, and penetrating oil. Sometimes Hoppes 9. Used some Sweet's 7.62 copper solvent for the first time in a long time last night.

Usually I just use Zep penetrating oil if I didn't use any corrosive ammo. Seems to work just fine, and doesn't eat my brushes like solvents do.

[762cavalier]

I've also started using foaming bore cleaner for bolt action guns (not sure I would want to use it on a semi auto due to the gas port) and it seems to work really well. Otherwise it is the the old standby Hoppe's #9 or Kroil penetrating oil.

[CavTrooper]

Montana Extreme bore cleaner. Nothing better. Period.

[CSACANNONEER]

There is no best do-it-all cleaner. I use my own blend of aquios ammonia and Ivory dish soap for copper removal. Montana Extreme is also a good copper remover. Of course, you may also want to use a good carbon remover to remove powder residue. You may find that you need to alternate between these two types of cleaners because, often times, you end up with several alternating layers of carbon and copper. JB paste is a good way to finish cleaning your barrel. NEVER use anything with teflon (Brake Free, etc.) when cleaning a barrel. Over time the teflon will cook itself into the barrel. The problem with this is that it will build up more at one point in the barrel and cause a tight spot in your barrel. If you have the place to do it, Wipe Out is my choice when I'm lazy. Sometimes I have to use Wipe Out for three or four days before the tube is clean.

[bridgeport]

There are two issues which need to be dealt with when cleaning a barrel.
First, Carbon and residue from the powder burn. Second copper from high velocity bullets. Anything that will remove carbon fouling from simple green on the water based side to kerosene on the petrochem side along with some brushing and swabbing will take care of the carbon, as well as hoppes, butches and shooters choice to name a few. Once the carbon and residue from the powder is wiped out you go to the copper removal, the basic ingrediant of which is dilute ammonia. Mr. clean works just fine as does hoppes, shooters choice, montana, butches and whatever elese you want to spend the money on. Remember, carbon and copper. Didnt CSA just say the same thing? Well just let me add, dont be afraid to brush and wipe several times until you get a truly clean patch.... and dont forget to wipe the chamber and muzzle lest you dirty that clean patch on them. Scrub, scrub, scrub.

[MrTuffPaws]

BF-CLP with the occasional use of BF foaming bore cleaner.

[metalhead357]

...............and try different ammo

[Caseless]

MPro-7 for normal or indoor cleaning. Sweet's 7.62 for heavy duty stuff like copper fouling or pitted barrels.

[kris&bela]

I use hoppes(Bench Rest 9) it does a very good job.I think it's a hit and miss and depends on how you like the result afterwards...

[Soundman]

+1 for M Pro 7

[glockman19]

Hopps #9 for me.

[Timberwolf]

Butches or Hoppes for normal cleaning.

To deep clean down to the bare metal (no copper left) Wipe Out.

[Roo]

Butches or Hoppes for normal cleaning.

To deep clean down to the bare metal (no copper left) Wipe Out.

When do you do this? I only do regular cleaning on my rifle after how many rounds should I do deep cleaning?

[virulosity]

For those of you that say never use CLP in the barrel: I use it as a light coat of oil before putting the gun away, should I use a different product?