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Bore wipers - JKR - 03-14-2025
It been quiet here for a while so I’ll see if I can get something going.
My question is about bore wipers.
For the last few years I’ve been using a variety of wipers of every description that I’ve made myself. The one thing they all have in common is the felt plugs from BACO. So my first question is how do you guys clean these felts after using them? I’ve tried several different methods and never seem to get them anywhere near clean, although I’m not sure that even matters.
Next question is BACO’s system. For you guys who are using them, what do you think? They’re rather expensive but the ones I’ve made aren’t that cheap either.
I’m m trying to transition from a 45-70 to a 45-90 for long range. I’m finding that fouling control is more of an issue with the additional 10 grains of powder. (93 grains as opposed to 83. Paper patch loads) With the 70, I ran a bore wiper and a dry patch after the shot. One stroke and done. With the 90, one pass doesn’t always get it. What’s your wiping technique with the BACO system and the longer cartridges?
Finally, who’s using Mpro7? Is it worth the high cost? I’ve only used cutting oil and water so far.
Thanks for any of your thoughts.
JKR
RE: Bore wipers - beltfed - 03-14-2025
Hi,Jim
Thats what you get going into the cannons. Hahahah
Happens I was with Doug Belue at the range today.
He fired his first DDEPP bullets from his Shiloh 45-90
a 60-70 degree day today. 93-95 gr S1.5.
He was using the Baco wipers. Found he needed to push a wet patch
in front of the Baco wiper followed by a dry patch.
That seemed to leave the dry patch pretty clean
I wonder if the bore critters made around nylon brushes, with two felts in front, one felt
on the shank followed by the rubber squeegee and pushed thru with a dry patch may help a lot./??????/
Doug noted he is having trouble finding 45 cal nylon brushes with which to built a set.
Baco and Brownells are out of the 45 cal nylon brushes. Other places are very expensivc when buying 3 packs
Arnie
Hope to see you ( in the rain) tomorrow at Merrill 22 gong
RE: Bore wipers - JKR - 03-15-2025
Well Arnie, I still have a 38-55. Every time I shoot it, I think,”what a nice,friendly, little rifle!” The 45-90 may be one of my many wrong turns in this BPCR game. This season will tell.
Doug and I have been on the same track lately. The Bullet he’s using has been looking good in my 70’s. The jury’s still out on the 90. It’ll be interesting to talk to him at Merrill.
Jim K. got me started with the brush mounted bore wipers. I made up about 50. I do think they perform the best of the different variations I’ve made. I’ve been wondering about BACO’s since I hear so much about them. I was a going to order a dozen to try but they list them as out of stock. Maybe a good thing.
I’m looking forward to the 22 match today. Neal will be trying a new Crossno liner in his Sharps. He’s bringing his scoped rifle as backup. If visibility comes is as bad as it sometimes is, we’ll both shoot that. Always good to have a plan!
Jim
RE: Bore wipers - Kurt - 03-16-2025
Yes Jim it has been quiet here. Good to see you and Arnie.
Jim, I just throw then in the ultrasonic cleaner with soapy water for a few minutes and then into a coffee can with water and shake it for a spell and that does a fair job.
I like to make my own things and this is how I make my bore wipers. That keeps me busy when it gets cold enough to make the fingers hurt LOL.
When I head out to the Quigley I make a stop at a CB hat maker at Rapid City SD. and he gives me his scrap hat trimming felt. It's mostly Rabbit felt and it is fine stuff.
I just cut the felt wads in the press mounted wad cutter to make the wiper felt and then I use a case cut off above the base of the caliber wad and punch the hole with the depriming die. That punches the hole in the center.
I tried the wipers with a bore brush and the way I make the all felt you see in the photo's and I like the all felt better. I do have to push a dry patch after the damp felt but it works just fine.
I don't use them to often. Just a wet and dry patch does fine for me.
Kurt
RE: Bore wipers - Don McDowell - 03-16-2025
Jim I throw the dirty felts and the pins and buttons in a coffee can drop in a bit of oxy clean and fill with warm water put the lid on and roll and shake them a bit , and then drain the water and flush the can with the wipers in it with water. When the water turns clear I dump them in a metal strainer to dry.
On all my 45 and 44’s I use both felts wet 7-1 Napa cutting oil water, followed by a 2 1/2 inch flannel patch.
I only run 1 felt in the smaller 40,s but use 2 with the 90 bn and a 2 inch patch
RE: Bore wipers - JKR - 03-17-2025
Kurt,
Good to hear from you. I hope winter treated you well. Still waiting for the sap to run up here.
As I mentioned I’ve made all manner of bore wipers. I believe the ones with brushes worked the best but they all worked pretty well in the 45-70. The 90 seems to need a little more.
After a conversation with Arnie this weekend at Merrill, he suggested I try two felts on the front of the ones I’ve made with brushes. I modified a bunch yesterday and will try them soon.
Jim
RE: Bore wipers - JKR - 03-17-2025
Thanks Don. I’ll follow your cleaning process and see how it goes.
You suggested the 7 to 1 Napa and water mix to me a few years ago. I’ve used it ever since. I believe it does the job.
I’ve been wondering about this Mpro7 stuff. Some people are making lots of noise about it. Others say it’s a sticky mess. Seems like it’s overly expensive if it does the same job as Napa and water.
Jim
RE: Bore wipers - Kurt - 03-17-2025
Jim,
This winter I turned into a couch potato and even put on 11 lbs being that. Getting to be a wimp.
Maybe in April when the medics work on my back things will get me back to doing what I want. I hope things heal by the time Lodi comes.
Maybe I can shoot prone again LOL.
That all felt wiper you see I just wet 1/2 in front and leave the back 1/2 dry and follow with a dry patch so the moisture in the chamber is reduced. I have a rifle with a very shallow groove and the fouling is a lot more controllable than the normal .004" and the wipers clean better in that rifle but I still for me just damp patch and dry works good for me. But I use a jag I turn down from a larger caliber to fit for the patch material I use that is a very tight fit in the bore.
Stay well.
Kurt
RE: Bore wipers - Don McDowell - 03-17-2025
Jim I tried the moro7 stuff didn’t like it for wiping as you need to follow with an oily patch.Also didn’t like the way it felt on my hands
I keep that gallon jug in the mancave for cleanup
RE: Bore wipers - Nuclearcricket - 03-18-2025
Sometime last year a guy on the shiloh board said he was making some bore pigs that used a patch instead of felt plugs. Kind of works like a cleaning jag but the patch is held in place with an "O" ring and then the base has another "O" ring that acts as a wiper. Pushed through with a rod with a dry patch on it. I had him make me some for my .44 and they seemed to work pretty well. Sadly I don't remember his name on there but it should maybe be in my private messages on there.
Sam