Zinc Bullet deposits

[StockIIBoss]

I shot 50 rounds of 135 gr Legend Basic a few days ago. Now I have stuff on the barrel lands that I can't remove, not even with a brass brush. Anyone run into this with Zinc bullets, and what did you do to clean the barrel? I haven't tried anything potent yet, like muriatic acid, and not sure what different acids will dissolve the stuff. I contacted GBW Cartridge to see what they recommend, but they haven't responded yet.


I've read where muriatic (hydrochloric) acid will do it, but is bad for stainless steel. The discussions have been around thin panels, such as kitchen appliances. Help!

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[sqlbullet]

What bore solvents have you tried?  Zinc is pretty chemically active and usually comes out easier than copper fouling...

[The_Shadow]

You may want to also try a stainless steel brush with a patch wrapped around it, wet with Hoppes Benchrest solvent, apply it let it sit wet in the bore for 10 or 15 mins at a time before rerunning the brush and patch.  The brush with the patch wrapped helps to gather the particulate as you swab.

[tommac919]

never had an issue getting any type deposits out with a copper scrubbie and hopes

[my_old_glock]

What bore solvents have you tried?  Zinc is pretty chemically active and usually comes out easier than copper fouling...

You can pour hydrogen peroxide in the barrel, and you might get some type of Zinc Oxide or Zinc Hydroxide, but I do not know what those compounds would do. They might make the surface harder.


.

[Ohio10mm]

Have you tried some J.B. bore paste? 

[Trapper6L]

Use science to cure the problem. You have dis-similar metals with the barrel steel and the zinc deposits. Use a non-chlorinated spray brake cleaner. The cleaner, as such, isn't going to do much but remember that dis-similar metals expand and contract at different rates. It will turn the barrel ice cold. The temperature differential will loosen the zinc. Follow immediately with a tight patch and push the crap out of the barrel. Works fabulous for a leaded up barrel too.

[StockIIBoss]

Thanks for all the tips. I'll get busy and try these. I tried Hoppes with the brass brush, and some K7 copper solvent that I had. Those didn't work. I have some other acids in the shop that I'll try as well. Still no word from GBW.

[StockIIBoss]

Fixed. Before trying for a chemical solution, I ran 50 rounds of copper jacketed bullets through it. Cleaned it up nicely. Time to go list some zinc ammo for sale 'cheap.'