Hoppe's #9 Synthetic blend

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raymond
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Hoppe's #9 Synthetic blend

Unread post by raymond » August 9th, 2016, 7:47 pm

As some of you know, I shoot a lot, so I use a lot of cleaner. I use Hoppe's #9. I know some think it is not aggressive enough, but I never let a weapon get put away uncleaned, Bought some Synthetic blend Hoppe's #9 by mistake, as package looks almost identical to original formula Hoppe's #9.

IT SUCKS.

It doesn't do near the job of removing powder residue. I threw it away after one use.


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Re: Hoppe's #9 Synthetic blend

Unread post by Bill, Idaho » August 9th, 2016, 11:03 pm

I also have been known to send a few rounds downrange. A few years ago I went to a SWAT sniper seminar, with a handful of really big-wigs in the industry there. Chemists, reps from a bunch of gun related businesses, etc. We spent 4 hours in a room listening to several well-versed true experts (IMHO) for a rifle barrel cleaning discussion. When I was told I had to go to that, I was expecting to be bored out of my mind. I turned out to be to about the most interesting 4 hours I think I have ever spent listening to others talk about cleaning a gun.
The general consensus among the chemists, metallurgists, and barrel makers, was as far as powder solvents, not a whole lot of difference from one name brand to another. That is speaking only in regards to powder fouling. Copper fouling is where things gets complicated. After comparing the various copper fouling removing agents, it looked like "Butch's Bore Shine" worked about the best. They showed us bore photos of before, during and after the use of the numerous products-with the aid of a microscopic camera. There was a noticeable difference. (Disclaimer: No one was representing or pushing any particular personal favorite brand.)
I don't know how many shooters "clean" a rifle barrel with a solvent such as Hoppe's #9, maybe push a patch through with a bit of oil of some sort, and call it good, when in fact all they have done is remove some of the powder fouling, and not even touched the copper fouling, which affects accuracy to a huge degree.
After that seminar, our SWAT snipers changed/altered our cleaning procedure, and all but eliminated fliers. No more 3 or 5, or even 10 shot groups to determine where the rifle is sighted in for. It's almost down to 1, maybe 2 shot groups. (Remember, a SWAT sniper get only ONE chance to make the right shot.)
More specifically to this thread, I heard some type of altered "synthetic" blend was released quite some time ago. Does it smell different?

(Lubricating a gun was an altogether separate and interesting eye-opening subject! To simplify into three words---Automatic Transmission Fluid.

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Re: Hoppe's #9 Synthetic blend

Unread post by raymond » August 10th, 2016, 10:01 am

It smells the same, but has a slightly lighter color.
It left the gun feeling "dry".
I have found upon further research, that it is a "green" product that is "water based" and "biodegradeable".
My experience with such products, is that these are code words for "more costly", and "less effective".
I use the Hoppe's in actions, I scrub with a toothbrush and blow out with compressed air.
I also use it in .22 barrels, which is primarily what I shoot anymore. They don't tend to copper foul.
I do use a copper cleaner in center fire weapons, but I use a product called Bore Tech Copper Remover. But I only use it with the garage doors open, as the ammonia can knock you over. Also have to rinse the bore brushes immediately, as it can attack them. Don't use it a lot, as nerve damage in my right arm has made shooting a center fire pistol uncomfortable at best, painful at worst. I shoot a rifle left handed, so that has not been a problem.

Does the bore shine have a strong ammonia smell :?:
If not, maybe I'll pick some up next time I see it.
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Re: Hoppe's #9 Synthetic blend

Unread post by rickf » August 10th, 2016, 10:23 am

Best stuff I ever used was the military stuff in the plain green cans and plastic bottles. The old surplus WWII stuff stunk to hihg heaven but it worked fantastic. I used to buy that stuff buy the case upon case and gave it away because it was cheap and never ending supply, yea, right. supply dried up. The later Vietnam era stuff still worked good but I suspect it was nothing more than Hoppes or another brand in a green bottle, not a proprietary mix like before. I am down to two bottles of that now. Of coarse I live in NJ so I do not get to shoot my guns thanks to out communist laws here.
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Re: Hoppe's #9 Synthetic blend

Unread post by raymond » August 10th, 2016, 10:29 am

P.S. I also use ATF, but mix it with Kroil for moving parts, pivot pins, etc. I dispense it from a needle oiler. The Kroil makes if flow into tight spots better. For general wipe down, I now use WD 40 Specialist Rust Preventative after someone here posted this link to corrosion tests.

http://ronkulas.proboards.com/thread/27 ... e-products
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Re: Hoppe's #9 Synthetic blend

Unread post by Surveyor » August 30th, 2016, 4:05 pm

I may have it mixed up a bit but as the story goes... after an evening duck hunt all the fellas in the camp settled down for supper and an evening of drinking and Bourré. Former WW2 Army 1st Lt. Robicheaux, after taking his part in the evenings inebriation, decided it would be in everyone's best interest if he would go out to the work shed and spray down shotguns with a light coat of oil. I can only assume that his military training had kicked in since I am told that he sprayed down every inch of metal on a good number of expensive shotguns that were there. Imagine the surprise on the other's faces the next morning as they geared up to go out again. They found all of their shotguns painted blue. You see, instead of WD40, Mr. Robicheaux had grabbed a can of spray paint in his drunken state. It didn't help too much that he was also color blind. Good man. He passed away a few years ago but I still think of that story when I hear discussions about cleaning firearms.
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