Thread: CRC or WD40 for maintenance?

Hi guys,
I'm new to cleaning guns. Is it OK to use CRC or WD40 for lube when cleaning a gun?

Yep. Nothing wrong with it for general cleaning and rust prevention.

Not that flash on copper or lead fouling though.

Both WD40 and CRC are good for cleaning. And they do leave some film behind after evaporating so better than nothing. To leave a more reliable protective oil film I wipe over with a rag lightly soaked in 4-in-1 oil.

Gun bluing does not protect much against rust unless it is oiled (bluing retains the oil in its "pores" and together they protect).

Carbon and/or copper fouling - I clean first with washing up detergent mix on pull-through rags. Then I wipe the muzzle and seal it up with electricians tape and point the rifle down. I pour a freshly mixed amount of citric acid + hydrogen peroxide into the barrel, leave 15mins (or until bubbling stops!), rinse well with water and then pull through wads/brush until they come out clean. Finally a rag with some 4-in-1. Not saying it's only or the best method but it does work. Be careful getting this solution onto unprotected (non-oiled) bluing.

Don't rely on it for rust protection though. Not good at all for protection during storage


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Inox is king. It's all I use now in between hunting/shooting sessions.

Basically over many years of shooting I learnt that previously I was over cleaning my rifles. This reduced accuracy for the first 5 rounds or so.

These days I keep a log book of number of shots fired, ie just count the empty ones in the packet when I put the ammo back in the cupboard and record it.

For example:

If I go hunting and shoot 3 rounds, I just push a few patches with a light spray of inox on each patch until it comes out clean...normally 3 patches. Then put the rifle away.

Next time I may shoot some gongs, might fire 20 shots or so....same again, inox...Then put it away.

And so on until I get to about 80 -100 shots fired, then I break out the full treatment and carbon and copper scrub the bore clean. BUT it now pop a bore flag it the trigger guard as a visual reminder to not take that rifle long range hunting, as the first 5 shots will not be reliable enough until it gets a bit of copper fouling back in the bore.

The 80-100 shots is tested, and no loss of significant accuracy has occurred. I have a self imposed mental barrier about there...i.e. I clean then, but should try push it further to actually see when accuracy goes out the window totally? But properly cleaning every 80-100 rounds is way better than what I used to do, i.e. I'd fully clean after even just one shot fired on a hunt.

You don't say which brew of CRC. CRC Longlife for example is good for protection. WD40, virtually keresene in a can, is good for some cleaning. Both CRC and WD40 are good for giving your barrel a blast if you are not going to be able to do a proper job till later/get home soon.

But without going into the whole oils/solvent discussion (bit like Ford versus Holden) there are heaps better products out there, depending upon cleaning or protection.

I will plug for Bore Tech products and Frog Lube whilst I have a chance though

Here's probably the best review of products that I have seen but it is focused on protection rather than cleaning
http://redirect.viglink.com/?format=...page_id%3D3667

Originally Posted by kimjon

but should try push it further to actually see when accuracy goes out the window totally?

You should, you might find accuracy is increased due to finding a copper fouling equilibrium in your rifle.

Keep penetrating oil away from your scope rings.

Interesting kimjon...I fully clean after each outing and had noticed taking about 6-8 shots for groups to come together. I had assumed it was me though might try the copper fouling method next...some say this leaves the barrel more susceptible to corrosion though?

fr $20 you can get the 3 bottle remington kit of solvent, oil and cleaner. crc/wd40 is ok to get you home but nothing like the correct products for the job.

Another+1 for inox or I use sewing machine oil

I notice that accuracy starts deteriorating after 12-20 rounds through the 22-250. Almost definitely due to copper fouling. I hate cleaning but I am so pedantic I have to, after every outing, otherwise I get the anxious shakes.

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Yes, I may be a compulsive barrel cleaner as well. I use crc on bits of rifle I can't rub with gun oil. Also spray dies with it after cleaning...seems ok...might give the inox a go next.

Originally Posted by stevodog

Yes, I may be a compulsive barrel cleaner as well. I use crc on bits of rifle I can't rub with gun oil. Also spray dies with it after cleaning...seems ok...might give the inox a go next.

i prefer crc "drilube" on my dies. doesnt get sticky and attract dust