More experienced shooters ride with me on this, ok? I get alot of private messages about this, so I'm gonna post it.
Alot of shooters who haven't dealt with corrosive ammo seem to be afraid that it will kill a rifle (semi-autos, especially) in just a few miuntes. Not true. I came home from a weekend on the road, to 4 pm's about this subject. There have been numerous threads about it, and I wanted to just post it for all to read, who might be thinking about, and afraid to look inexperienced for asking the question. NEVER be afraid to ask a question, most of us love to help somebody with a problem.
First, here's what I do, and it has worked for me, for years! When I shoot, I usually shoot a 100 or more rounds per rifle carried out to my shooting range. While the rifle is still hot from the last string, I squirt water or Windex thru the bore, and into the gas tube on an auto-loader. I also douse the bolt and carrier, pretty well. If it's too difficult for you to do, or to quick disassemble to soak it down, then you need to spend a little more time with your rifle. Windex/Ammonia is not a requirement, I use it simply because alot of rounds fired will leave more carbon build-up and the ammonia helps cut it loose. Water is the key to killing the salts of the corrosive ammo. Then, I clean the rifle while watching tv, or whatever, later. I have even forgotten to clean my PSL for a week, when an emergency came up before cleaning. No damage visible. I had a friend forget his Tantal for 2 weeks and it rusted the bolt shut, but was 'bumped open" fairly easily. No damage visible afterwards, but not recommended.
Another point to be made; if you have to spend more than 15 minutes cleaning your rifle, you might want to spend more time "learning" your rifle. Study disassembly and assembly procedures, a bit. It's not rocket science, and is done by millions of conscripts and teen-aged Soldiers and Marines around the world, every day. Heck, untrained "soldiers" do it in 3rd World, rebel armies, regularly.
Cleaning a weapon is the best way to become totally familiar with assembly and disassembly of a weapon, as shooting is best for being confident with hitting your targets. Milsurp ammo is the cheapest way to obtain that proficiency, so use it. Buy it by the can, and shoot it up. That's what these things were made for. Chromed bores make it easier on the cleaning, but are not a requirement before shooting corrosive ammo. (IJ, forgive me for this rant, but I get alot of letters, ya know?)
Alot of shooters who haven't dealt with corrosive ammo seem to be afraid that it will kill a rifle (semi-autos, especially) in just a few miuntes. Not true. I came home from a weekend on the road, to 4 pm's about this subject. There have been numerous threads about it, and I wanted to just post it for all to read, who might be thinking about, and afraid to look inexperienced for asking the question. NEVER be afraid to ask a question, most of us love to help somebody with a problem.
First, here's what I do, and it has worked for me, for years! When I shoot, I usually shoot a 100 or more rounds per rifle carried out to my shooting range. While the rifle is still hot from the last string, I squirt water or Windex thru the bore, and into the gas tube on an auto-loader. I also douse the bolt and carrier, pretty well. If it's too difficult for you to do, or to quick disassemble to soak it down, then you need to spend a little more time with your rifle. Windex/Ammonia is not a requirement, I use it simply because alot of rounds fired will leave more carbon build-up and the ammonia helps cut it loose. Water is the key to killing the salts of the corrosive ammo. Then, I clean the rifle while watching tv, or whatever, later. I have even forgotten to clean my PSL for a week, when an emergency came up before cleaning. No damage visible. I had a friend forget his Tantal for 2 weeks and it rusted the bolt shut, but was 'bumped open" fairly easily. No damage visible afterwards, but not recommended.
Another point to be made; if you have to spend more than 15 minutes cleaning your rifle, you might want to spend more time "learning" your rifle. Study disassembly and assembly procedures, a bit. It's not rocket science, and is done by millions of conscripts and teen-aged Soldiers and Marines around the world, every day. Heck, untrained "soldiers" do it in 3rd World, rebel armies, regularly.
Cleaning a weapon is the best way to become totally familiar with assembly and disassembly of a weapon, as shooting is best for being confident with hitting your targets. Milsurp ammo is the cheapest way to obtain that proficiency, so use it. Buy it by the can, and shoot it up. That's what these things were made for. Chromed bores make it easier on the cleaning, but are not a requirement before shooting corrosive ammo. (IJ, forgive me for this rant, but I get alot of letters, ya know?)