Originally Posted by
jethroUSMC
CL usually is composed of a layer Copper, Nickel then Chrome.
Decorative Cr is. Industrial hard chrome, such as inside a barrel is Cr plated directly to steel.
At a microscopic level it has pores, so it's about chemistry and honestly probably a bit of overthinking the chemical composition of the lining and cleaner. I'm probably overthinking it a bit much because part of the chemical process of burning powder releases some ammonia into the bore as well as moisture as a byproduct of the combustion process, but IMO AR's shouldn't need the benchrest soak overnight treatment for carbon steel or SS.
Although, I never use aggressive cleaners on precision bolt rifles either, as a small amount of copper fills any imperfections in the bore and will give the most consistent accuracy from my experience.
Most benchrest shooters will take several fouling shots (up to 10) after a deep cleaning - a waste of time and cleaner for me. Fouling shots are depositing a small amount of copper and carbon back into the bore to fill those voids and establish the accuracy they're used to. I understand the consistency portion of a BR shooters cleaning/fouling process, but I don't shoot benchrest so I don't see the need.
I'm of the opinion more harm is done from improper cleaning methods than letting a firearm get a bit more dirty. When accuracy begins to degrade clean reasonably and go out and shoot - with the caveat of water or other debris entering the bore or chamber that would require a cleaning, protectant and/or remove potential obstructions.
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