I spent quite a bit of time cleaning the cylinder of my 357 after an extended range trip with a bunch of 38 special loads. I put about 250-300(I wasn't counting) rounds of 38 special loaded with 158gr SWC and 3.5gr of Bullseye through the revolver. The powder fouling between the 38 case mouth and the 357 cylinder throat had built up so much a 357 cartridge would no way go in.
I started cleaning the cylinder using Hoppes9 and a copper brush. I wet patched the cylinder with a soaked patch and left it set for about 20 minutes to loosen the fouling before using the brush in the chambers. I repeated this cycle 5 times before the fouling was cleaned out enough I could easily drop a 357 cartridge into every chamber of the cylinder.
Is there a cleaner/solvent that works better on powder fouling than Hoppes9?
Or I should just buy a 38 special and not have to worry about this?