Rubbing Alcohol As Powder Cleaner?

[jonp]

Handloader August 2020 pg 40.

In an article on the 7mm Mag, John Barness states during testing that "...I did not bother cleaning the bore except by swabbing with a few patches soaked in rubbing alcohol to knock back the slight powder fouling.."

First I've heard of using rubbing alcohol to do this. Anyone else try this method?

[alfadan]

Ive tried it as a bore cleaner and was not impressed. I do use it as a follow up to Sweets 7.62 to swab out the ammonia.

[afish4570]

Stores sell two formulas 70% and 90%......that is 30% or 10% water. I won't be trying that one on my guns. afish4570

[jonp]

Stores sell two formulas 70% and 90%......that is 30% or 10% water. I won't be trying that one on my guns. afish4570

We have 2 cases of 90% I picked up for making black powder.

[FLINTNFIRE]

Alcohol as in moonshine grade was used as ordnance cleaner , I have used rubbing alcohols to clean oil and powder residue from gun cleaning brushes , and have ran it through a bore to clean out one cleaner before trying something else , it did not hurt but it is not a hoppes number 9 or eds red .

As to what percentage of water it dries pretty fast and has caused no issues , when I am done cleaning it is a light oil on a patch anyway .

I keep several bottles around for different uses , works great for the brushes , and for what he was using it for as cleaning little powder between shots it would work and quick to dry so not going to introduce any issues or variation , so as to stated articles use it should be fine.

[elmacgyver0]

Works great as a lubricant when inserting a power cord through a rubber grommet or strain relief when repairing a power tool.
I have also used it as a lubricant when drilling holes in aluminum.

[smithnframe]

I can get 99% isopropyl alcohol here in south Texas. I've used it to swab cap n ball revolvers!

[blackthorn]

I got 99% in a 4-pack at Costco.

[trapper9260]

I use the 70% for finish clean my guns and it dry fast for all the years i use it ,I have not had any problems with rust from it . I oil after use and for the bore since I shoot mainly cast in my ,I past a swab of JPW in it .

[nicholst55]

Stores sell two formulas 70% and 90%......that is 30% or 10% water. I won't be trying that one on my guns. afish4570

Guess the old water-based GI bore cleaner is out too, then. And Balistol. I have been using plain old water to do an initial cleaning after shooting corrosive-primed ammo for decades. I haven't had a rusty bore yet. Just saying.

[tomme boy]

Lots of the black powder guys use it as it attracts water. They want to get all traces out of theor bores after cleaning.

And it is a solvent. Why do you think all the cars injectors clogged up after it was mandated as a fuel supplement.

[Win94ae]

When I have a very dirty bore, and I want to get it clean as a whistle; I clean with Hopes 9 until the patch doesn't have dirt. Then I switch to alcohol until the dirt stops showing on the patch. Then I'll go with penetrating oil until the patch doesn't show dirt, then I go back to Hopes 9 starting the process all over again, until no dirt shows up with any solvent.