Barrel Cleaning at the End of the Build

[silky]

Morning,

I'm wrapping up a build and looking for guidance on how to clean up the bore of the barrel before final assembly.  In the process of finishing it (draw filing, installing the touch hole liner, muzzle work, etc) little bits of metal have made their way into the bore and rifling. 

My concern is that if I clean it in a manner similar to post-shooting, I could be scratching the internal surfaces as the swab/cloth/patch pushes and pulls the metal bits across the rifling.

Any advice or techniques that work for you?  What's the best way to get all of that metal debris out of the barrel?  And is it necessary to remove the breech plug to do it your way?

Thanks for your help.

- Tom

[Daryl]

Use a reasonably snug flannelette patch on a jag - Wet the patch with WD40 shove it down to the breech and pull it back out. Do this several times - done.
No need to pull the breech plug, but it should come out easily if you want to. Would be a good idea to pull the plug and see if or how much the liner sticks into the bore- it should not protrude into
the bore at all. When you so that, simply shove a patch down and clean the 'metal' filings out of the bore.

[ron w]

 pull the breech plug and push a soft brass wire bore brush down the bore. maybe with a good shot of WD40,or light oil.
   I wouldn't think any method , if done with reasonable care, will scratch the rifling enough to cause any issues. and with a wire brush, there is room for the debri to be trapped in the bristles instead of being pushed into the bore surface as it would with a patch. you may be a little over-concerned about damaging the bore. I would definitely pull the breech plug, though, for sure...  it will eliminate the chance of built up debri being left in the breech. make sure you check the flash hole for blockage, as well.

[smylee grouch]

I have had some luck using a small magnet inserted into the hole for the vent after tapping it and before final assembly and then flushing it with lots of water before installing the touchhole liner.

[Marcruger]

I would start by pouring a large amount of rubbing alcohol down the bore, and sloshing it back and forth before pouring it out.  The alcohol will act as a solvent to anything sticking the shavings inside the bore.  The volume of liquid should flush most everything out.  Then I would proceed to some of the suggestions here.  God Bless,   Marc

[TommyG]

I always pull the breachplug after installing the TH liner.  I want to remove any burrs from drilling/tapping.  Give it a good cleaning in the breach area, particularly the threads and face.  Apply some copper never-seize and button it up hopefully for the last time.  From there I just clean as I would after shooting.

[Waksupi]

I would start by pouring a large amount of rubbing alcohol down the bore, and sloshing it back and forth before pouring it out.  The alcohol will act as a solvent to anything sticking the shavings inside the bore.  The volume of liquid should flush most everything out.  Then I would proceed to some of the suggestions here.  God Bless,   Marc

I do pretty much the same, but use lacquer thinner. I usually do it 2-3 times, and the bore is definitely clean of debris.

[oldarcher]

I clean with soap and water just like after shooting, I also use high pressure air to really blow out any left over shavings.

[silky]

Thanks, guys -- this is exactly what I was looking for.  I appreciate your willingness to share your experience with a new guy.

- Tom