Cleaning Instructions - Corrosive Primers

[Contenderizer]

Are there any special recommendations/instructions for cleaning a gun after firing rounds with corrosive primers? I've heard everything from "no, just do it soon" to "clean it with soap and water".

Also, is there a way to identify berdan primers before or after firing the round? 303 British specifically.

[Gil Martin]

There are two methods that I have found adequate for cleaning up a rifle or handgun bore after firing corrosive primers. The first is the use of hot soapy water patches, hot water patches, dry patches and oil patches. Second is the use of G.I.bore cleaner patches, dry patches and oil patches. Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

[gerry375]

Originally posted by Contenderizer
Are there any special recommendations/instructions for cleaning a gun after firing rounds with corrosive primers? I've heard everything from "no, just do it soon" to "clean it with soap and water".

Also, is there a way to identify berdan primers before or after firing the round? 303 British specifically.

The only way I can think of that you can identify Berdan primers before firing is that USUALLY (but not always) is that the Berdan primer will seat slightly below the base of the cartridge. Loking down at a Berdan primer it may look flattened (whereas a Boxer primer -used in civilian ammo - has the familiar "humped" look) I want to emphasize that what I said is not a surefire,never fail method for identifying the primer. It's all I can think of -and I never was much for reloading. Hope it helps a bit.

[Adam Helmer]

Contenderizer,

The Old US Army Manual prescribed cleaning the arm the same day as firing with hot soapy water as Gil set forth.

After firing the cartridge, examine the case by looking inside in strong light. If you see TWO flash holes, you have a Berdan case. If you see a single flash hole, you have a Boxer case.

Adam

[Murf]

The old .303 rounds I used to shoot 45 years ago were much larger in diameter than modern boxer primers. I never did any thing special in regards to cleaning afer using old surplus rounds and it never seem to affect the rifle. My son has it now and shot a 5 shot 1 inch group at 100 yards with the old gal before this years deer hunt. It will shot several different handloads into 2 inches

[Murf]

As far as primers go the Canadain and British surplus ammo has not had corrosive prinmers for decades. This goes back to the era when they used strings of cordite for "powder". Because there are supplies coming in from other sources this may not hold true for .303 ammo today.

[Rocky Raab]

I'd be suspicious of any foreign-made ammo except Canadian. As Murf says, the US and Canada haven't used corrosive primers for decades, but some other countries STILL do (that's why Russian bores were chromed).

A good swoosh of boiling water will remove any corrosive salts. Then clean with your regular method - the hot metal will actually make cleaning easier! In fact, I often use my wife's little portable steamer to clean my guns - whether I've used suspect ammo or not. A five-second shot of steam down the bore leaves it CLEAN!

Gotta write an article about that someday...