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Click on any of the images below to see a larger version
of the image. |
| If you are reading this article then you probably shoot
Military Surplus Rifles. The key word being "rifles", the plural
of rifle.
I have quite a few rifles and if I shoot on a regular basis I
find myself going through almost 2 - 32 ounce bottles of Hoppes
No. 9 per month. That adds up to over $30 per month! Imagine that,
I am spending over $350 per year just on bore cleaning solvent.
Like most males I love the smell of Hoppes No. 9. I just
don't like the price tag that it carries. For what I spend on bore
cleaner, I could buy another couple rifles each year.
I had spoken to a couple of my friends that have been making
their own bore cleaner for years. They gave me a small bottle to
try out. I tried it and it does not smell at all nice, but it really
works well.
If you have been shooting for years, you may have heard of Ed
Harris. The recipe used in this article is all over the Internet.
I have included a copy of the original article written by Ed -
Click Here for the
Original Article.
The two tables shown below compare the cost between commercial
bore cleaner and Ed's homemade bore cleaner. After giving it a try
and comparing the cost - I am sold on this formula. Matter of fact
this article is the first in a series of articles called "Making
the Surplus". Each will focus on home brewed concoctions
and the like with one theme in mind - to help you save money!
Table 1
|
|
Commercial Bore Cleaner |
|
Product |
Measure |
Cost |
| Hoppes No. 9 |
32 ounce |
$14.00 |
|
Total Cost (w/tax)
|
$15.00+/- |
|
Cost Per Ounce |
$0.46 |
|
| Table 2
|
|
Homemade Bore Cleaner |
| Ingredient |
Measure |
Cost |
| K1 Kerosene |
32 ounce |
$2.45 |
| Aliphatic
Mineral Spirits Federal Spec TT-T-2981F |
32 ounce |
$2.49 |
| Acetone |
32 ounce |
$4.96 |
| Dexron
II, IIe, or III Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) |
32 ounce |
$1.29 |
| Total Cost
(w/tax) |
$13.00+/- |
|
Cost Per Ounce |
$0.10 |
|
|
CAUTION: FLAMMABLE MIXTURE --
HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED -- KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
Contents: petroleum distillates,
surfactants, organometallic antioxidants and acetone.
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. It is a violation of Federal law to use this product
in a manner inconsistent with itsonsistent with its labeling. Reports
have associated repeated and prolonged occupational overexposure
to solvents with permanent brain and nervous system damage. If using
in closed armory vaults lacking forced air ventilation wear respiratory
protection meeting NIOSH TC23C or equivalent. Keep container tightly
closed when not in use.
Note: If you are
planning on using this cleaner inside, in a poorly ventilated area,
leave out the Acetone. |
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All of the required components
are available over the counter and can be easily found in your neighborhood.
I found all four in two stores - the hardware store and the auto
parts store. |
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In any hardware store,
you will find the Kerosene, Acetone, and Mineral Spirits in the
paint department. |
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The recipe is made of
of equal parts of each chemical. I was able to purchase 3 of the
chemicals in pre-measured 32 ounce containers so I decided to just
make a large batch. |
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Per the recipe, I added
the 32 ounce ATF first, followed by equal parts of the other three
chemicals. |
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Please be really careful
and mix this recipe outdoors. The fumes are very strong. Also as
you can see I am wearing protective gloves.
|
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I measured the final ingredient,
Kerosene and poured it into the mixing bucket. |
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I mixed the recipe. |
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As you can see why it
gets its name, Ed's Red. The ATF really turns the mixture
a dark red color. |
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I had some dirty rifles,
so I took the mix into the garage (open) to give it a try.
Note: After this picture I poured
the mixture into an empty and clean gas can for storage. Also with
the gas can spout it is easy to fill smaller containers - like empty
Hoppes No. 9 bottles! Make sure you store you Ed's Red in a container
that can store petroleum based solvents. Preferably not plastic.
|
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I ran two patches through
the rifle bore and it was clean. Granted it was a chrome lined SKS,
but I have never put such little effort into cleaning the rifle. |
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On the second pass the
patch came out clean (as shown in figure 11).
Again, it is not Hoppes No. 9 when it comes to the fragrance. But
the cost and how it works makes it smell pretty good in my book!
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