Youngs ‘303’ Gun Cleaner, from Parker Hale, is a combined gun cleaner and rust preventer. A nitro powder solvent, it is a tried and tested favourite that has been around for generations. Its distinctive aroma permeates gun rooms around the world.
It dates back to 1900 when it was developed by Stephen Young, a chemist and rifleman. It was originally intended for the sterilisation and preservation of surgical instruments, but was found to be even more effective for cleaning and preserving gun barrels.
4 Point Gun Cleaning Plan
The best time to clean a gun is immediately after using it, prior to putting it away, and the Parker Hale 4 point plan for cleaning all guns is as follows.
1. Swab out the barrel with a patch soaked in Aquoil and scrub the bore vigorously with a phosphor bronze wire brush.
2. Swab out again, generously using Aquoil until any discolouration disappears.
3. Dry out the barrel with patches until they emerge reasonably clean.
4. Generously apply neat ‘303’ using a wool mop or bristle brush.
The barrel should be dried thoroughly using a clean patch BEFORE shooting.
Aquoil is prepared by mixing Youngs ‘303’ with water, using 3 parts water to 1 part ‘303’. (With non-corrosive cartridges it is not necessary to use Aquoil.)
Best Known Gun Cleaner
Youngs ‘303’ is probably the best known and most widely used emulsifying cleaner and rust preventer for gun and rifle barrels and for external protection of metal parts. It is one of the best cleaners for dissolving powder deposits, and will help to keep barrels free from rust.
It is NOT a lubricant, and should not be used in the lock mechanism.