X. Miscellaneous
   D. Solvents
      3. Homebrew Recipies
	 a. Ed's Red

BEAT THE HIGH PRICE OF BORE CLEANERS... (MIX YOUR OWN) By Ed Harris
 
I got disgusted with the high price of rifle bore cleaner and the use of
harsh chemicals for copper removal which are neither necessary nor
desirable for cast bullet shooting.  I wanted a cleaner that was
inexpensive, and effective, which provides reasonable corrosion
protection and adequate lubrication.
 
After looking over Hatcher's Notebook, I came up with my own variation of
Frankford Arsenal Cleaner No.18.  The original recipe called for equal
parts of acetone, turpentine, Pratts Astral Oil and sperm oil, and
optionally 200 grams of lanolin added per liter. Pratts Astral oil was
nothing more than acid free, deodorized kerosene.   K1 kerosene of the
type normally sold for indoor space heaters can be substituted.  Finding
an inexpensive and effective substitute for the sperm oil only took
alittle research.  I found that prior to  about 1950 that most automatic
transmission fluid was sperm oil based.  After talking to an Amoco
industrial representative we agreed the organometallic antioxidants and
surfactants in Dextron II ATF made it highly suitable for our intended
purpose.
 
While this cleaner local shooter's have dubbed "Ed's Red" (with my profuse
apologies to Bartle's and James) does nothing to remove copper fouling,
there are other preparations which do that readily. More importantly,
there is nothing in this cleaner which reacts adversely with ammonia or
other common decoppering agents which might cause pitting.  Shooter's
Choice and some other bore cleaners carry specific warnings about using
them in combination with other cleaners.
 
Ed's Red is effective in removing leading and powder residue, provides
reasonable lubrication, and does not appreciably affect first shot point
of impact.  I find it an effective and inexpensive all-purpose gun
cleaner.  Addition of the lanolin is optional, and the cleaner works
quite well without it.  However, the affinity of lanolin for water
displaces moisture if you use the cleaner for swabbing after water
cleaning from having used blackpowder, duplex loads or chlorate primers. 
It also makes the cleaner easier on the hands, and provides better
residual lubrication.  Mix some yourself.  I hope it works as well for
you as it does for me.
 
CONTENTS: Ed's Red Bore Cleaner
 
    1 part Dextron II ATF, GM Spec. D-20265
    1 part Kerosene - deodorized K1
    1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, Fed. Spec. TT-T-2981F, CAS #64741-49-9
	1 part Acetone, CAS #67-64-1.
	Optional up to 1 lb. of anhydrous lanolin, USP per gallon
 
MIXING INSTRUCTIONS:
 
Mix outdoors, in good ventilation.  Use a clean 1gallon metal or
chemical-resistant HDPE or polypropylene plastic container.  Add the  ATF
first.  Use this empty container to measure the other components,  so that it
is thoroughly rinsed.  If you incorporate the lanolin into  the mixture, melt
this carefully in a double boiler, taking precautions  against fire and pour
it into a larger container, rinsing the lanolin container with the bore
cleaner mix, stirring until it is all dissolved.
 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING Ed's Red Bore Cleaner:
 
1.  Open the firearm action and ensure the bore is clear. Cleaning  is
    most effective when done while the barrel is still warm to  the touch
    from firing.  Saturate a cotton patch with bore  cleaner, wrap or impale
    on jag and push it through the bore from breech to muzzle.  The patch
    should be a snug fit.  Let the first patch fall off and do not pull it
    back into the bore.
 
2.  Wet a second patch, and similarly start it into the bore from the
    breech, this time scrubbing from the throat area forward in 4-5" strokes
    and advancing until the patch emerges out the muzzle.   Waiting
    approximately 1 minute to let the bore cleaner soak will  improve its
    action.
 
3.  For pitted, heavily leaded or neglected bores a bronze brush wet with
    bore cleaner may be used to remove stubborn deposits. This  is
    unnecessary for smooth, target-grade barrels in routine use.
 
4.  Use a final wet patch pushed straight through the bore to flush  out
    loosened residue dissolved by Ed's Red.  Let the patch fall  off the jag
    without pulling it back into the bore.  If you are  finished firing,
    leaving the bore wet will protect it from rust.
 
5.  Wipe spilled Ed's Red from exterior surfaces before storing the  gun.
    While Ed's Red is harmless to blue and nickel finishes, the acetone it
    contains is harmful to most wood finishes).
 
6.  Before firing again, push two dry patches through the bore and  dry
    the chamber, using a patch wrapped around a suitably sized  brush or jag.
    First shot point of impact usually will not be disturbed  by Ed's Red if
    the bore is cleaned as described.
 
7.  If using blackpowder or chlorate primers, hot water cleaning is
    recommended, followed with a flush with Ed's Red to displace moisture and
    to prevent after-rusting from residual moisture.
 
LABEL AND OBLIGATORY SAFETY WARNINGS:
 
"Ed's Red Bore Cleaner" FOR USE AS A FIREARM BORE CLEANER ONLY
 
1.  Flammable mixture. Keep away from heat, sparks or flame.
 
2.  FIRST AID, If swallowed DO NOT induce vomiting, call physician
    immediately.  In case of eye contact immediately flush thoroughly with
    water and call a physician.  For skin contact wash thoroughly.
 
3.  Use with adequate ventilation.  Avoid breathing vapors. Keep
    container tightly closed when not in use.
 
 
Regards, Ed