CLEANING YOUR RIFLE BARREL
- Thread starter fish1448
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RockyMtnHunter
New member
on a new bore i use 50 strokes with remington 40x bore cleaner, after that I use nothing but birchwood casey bore scrubber.
The Famous Grouse
New member
Keep in mind that some rifles don't produce the best accuracy when clean. They like it dirty. Also, cleaning will often alter the point of impact or consistency to some degree.
Also, I think that many people worry too much about cleaning and the impact of a clean barrel on accuracy. When I'm shooting varmints, I seldom notice any drop off in accuracy after even 500+ rounds. I had occasion to check the zero at 200 yards on a .22-250 that had over 1000 rounds on it without being cleaned. The rifle had been leaned up against a bench and it fell over. The accuracy was the same as the last trip to the range before we left on the trip.
I cringe everytime I hear someone say they sighted in a rifle, then cleaned it.
Grouse
Also, I think that many people worry too much about cleaning and the impact of a clean barrel on accuracy. When I'm shooting varmints, I seldom notice any drop off in accuracy after even 500+ rounds. I had occasion to check the zero at 200 yards on a .22-250 that had over 1000 rounds on it without being cleaned. The rifle had been leaned up against a bench and it fell over. The accuracy was the same as the last trip to the range before we left on the trip.
I cringe everytime I hear someone say they sighted in a rifle, then cleaned it.
Grouse
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joed
New member
I always start with Sweets and run a few patches to get any copper fouling out. Usually 2 patches is all. Never leave this stuff in the barrel.
Next I use Hoppes for another 2 patches, mostly to get all the Sweets out. Followed last by a patch with gun oil.
I do this religeously after 25 rounds. I also think people take cleaning to seriously.
Next I use Hoppes for another 2 patches, mostly to get all the Sweets out. Followed last by a patch with gun oil.
I do this religeously after 25 rounds. I also think people take cleaning to seriously.
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Dixiedog1
Active member
Originally Posted By: The Famous GrouseKeep in mind that some rifles don't produce the best accuracy when clean. They like it dirty. Also, cleaning will often alter the point of impact or consistency to some degree.
Also, I think that many people worry too much about cleaning and the impact of a clean barrel on accuracy. When I'm shooting varmints, I seldom notice any drop off in accuracy after even 500+ rounds. I had occasion to check the zero at 200 yards on a .22-250 that had over 1000 rounds on it without being cleaned. The rifle had been leaned up against a bench and it fell over. The accuracy was the same as the last trip to the range before we left on the trip.
I cringe everytime I hear someone say they sighted in a rifle, then cleaned it.
Grouse
I agree....I used to clean after every trip out but have since learned that by leaving my rifles dirty my first shot goes exactly where I expect it will. I rarely ever clean a gun, the only exception is if I hunt on a rainy day....I'll clean it after that and then I'll try to take it to the range before hitting the woods with it again.
Also, I think that many people worry too much about cleaning and the impact of a clean barrel on accuracy. When I'm shooting varmints, I seldom notice any drop off in accuracy after even 500+ rounds. I had occasion to check the zero at 200 yards on a .22-250 that had over 1000 rounds on it without being cleaned. The rifle had been leaned up against a bench and it fell over. The accuracy was the same as the last trip to the range before we left on the trip.
I cringe everytime I hear someone say they sighted in a rifle, then cleaned it.
Grouse
I agree....I used to clean after every trip out but have since learned that by leaving my rifles dirty my first shot goes exactly where I expect it will. I rarely ever clean a gun, the only exception is if I hunt on a rainy day....I'll clean it after that and then I'll try to take it to the range before hitting the woods with it again.
CatfishSlayer
New member
Hope this isn't a thread hijack...but how well do those "snake" things work?
RockyMtnHunter
New member
I'd like it for a shotgun, but the cleaning rod and jag feels a whole lot better on a centerfire.
Thats why i like bore scrubber, I havent had any issues with it causing first shot accuracy issues on a clean bore. I dont oil them at all either.
Thats why i like bore scrubber, I havent had any issues with it causing first shot accuracy issues on a clean bore. I dont oil them at all either.
nastynatesfish
Active member
I swap it with a boresnake and a little clp after a good outing but I won't scrub my barrel unless it's new and I'm doing a break in on it
Hooked
New member
Originally Posted By: The Famous GrouseKeep in mind that some rifles don't produce the best accuracy when clean. They like it dirty. Also, cleaning will often alter the point of impact or consistency to some degree.
Also, I think that many people worry too much about cleaning and the impact of a clean barrel on accuracy. When I'm shooting varmints, I seldom notice any drop off in accuracy after even 500+ rounds. I had occasion to check the zero at 200 yards on a .22-250 that had over 1000 rounds on it without being cleaned. The rifle had been leaned up against a bench and it fell over. The accuracy was the same as the last trip to the range before we left on the trip.
I cringe everytime I hear someone say they sighted in a rifle, then cleaned it.
Grouse
^^^I have done a fair amount of cleaning and reloading in search of that `most accurate load`. I quoted Grouse here, because it took me
awhile before I ..IDK..I guess you could say `come around to accepting this or practicing it`. Good point worth mentioning.
Could prob. find a thousands threads on this subject with a couple thousand different methods if you change solvent brands
I let my barrels cool now before cleaning. Read a article once on cleaning SS with ammonia based solvents while the barrel is warm or hot is not a good idea. In my line of work we talk a bit about IGSC intergranular stress corrosion so it made sense.
My method.
1) wet bore and chamber with #9 and soak a couple min.
2) snug patch on jag then repeat step 1 then step 2 again and wipe out chamber with larger than bore swab.
3) wet bore with kroil or #9 then bronze brush chamber to muzzle then remove brush, then patch on jag.(I don't drag bronze back through anymore)
4) repeat step 3 a couple times, black residue should be about out.
5) now I might use #9 bench rest copper solvent and let soak overnight followed by clean patch and soak again followed by clean patch OR
if in a hurry, Barnes CR10 follow directions on bottle.
6) wet bore with kroil and then jag / patch with synthetic lint free patch and done.
this is my basic routine and I always use a bore guide and sometimes use a chamber brush / cotton swab to remove crud from behind barrel extension bolt lugs on AR`s.
Also, I think that many people worry too much about cleaning and the impact of a clean barrel on accuracy. When I'm shooting varmints, I seldom notice any drop off in accuracy after even 500+ rounds. I had occasion to check the zero at 200 yards on a .22-250 that had over 1000 rounds on it without being cleaned. The rifle had been leaned up against a bench and it fell over. The accuracy was the same as the last trip to the range before we left on the trip.
I cringe everytime I hear someone say they sighted in a rifle, then cleaned it.
Grouse
^^^I have done a fair amount of cleaning and reloading in search of that `most accurate load`. I quoted Grouse here, because it took me
awhile before I ..IDK..I guess you could say `come around to accepting this or practicing it`. Good point worth mentioning.
Could prob. find a thousands threads on this subject with a couple thousand different methods if you change solvent brands
I let my barrels cool now before cleaning. Read a article once on cleaning SS with ammonia based solvents while the barrel is warm or hot is not a good idea. In my line of work we talk a bit about IGSC intergranular stress corrosion so it made sense.
My method.
1) wet bore and chamber with #9 and soak a couple min.
2) snug patch on jag then repeat step 1 then step 2 again and wipe out chamber with larger than bore swab.
3) wet bore with kroil or #9 then bronze brush chamber to muzzle then remove brush, then patch on jag.(I don't drag bronze back through anymore)
4) repeat step 3 a couple times, black residue should be about out.
5) now I might use #9 bench rest copper solvent and let soak overnight followed by clean patch and soak again followed by clean patch OR
if in a hurry, Barnes CR10 follow directions on bottle.
6) wet bore with kroil and then jag / patch with synthetic lint free patch and done.
this is my basic routine and I always use a bore guide and sometimes use a chamber brush / cotton swab to remove crud from behind barrel extension bolt lugs on AR`s.
Rbreb13
New member
I go to the range and check zero before seasons. The it stays dirty until I'm done hunting or put substantial rounds through it. Most of my reloads perform best from dirty bores, that's what I was going for in development.
I clean mine when it needs it or at the end of season, when it will be stored for awhile. Other than that just a wipe down. Rain or snow and it gets a thorough wiping/cleaning and oil. My main big game rifle is stainless/synthetic so there's less worry about moisture but even stainless can rust.
Everybody has their own way, that's mine.
I clean mine when it needs it or at the end of season, when it will be stored for awhile. Other than that just a wipe down. Rain or snow and it gets a thorough wiping/cleaning and oil. My main big game rifle is stainless/synthetic so there's less worry about moisture but even stainless can rust.
Everybody has their own way, that's mine.
Saw a Youtube video once about a long-range shooting school that taught to not overclean. That the copper fouling laid down if taken completely out will (can) cause flyers for sometimes more than 10 shots or so. So whilst at this shoot-- www.moaguns.com I pulled my Savage Super-Striker 22-250 out and ran just a couple strokes with a brush down the barrel, and patched out several times before the roving field course. Had probably a hundred rounds down the barrel (before the cursory cleaning), and won that match out to 450ish, and racked up a number of extra points on ~2" centers on the steel plates. I don't clean as often as I used to and have seen little if any loss of accuracy.
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
Just my personal opinion to your initial question,.,.Quote:What are the preferred ways of cleaning your rifle barel? In the process of working up a load and want to make sure to keep barrel clean up come up with the best load possible....It really depends on the type of shooting you are anticipating...If you are one that goes hunting a lot and depends on that first shot for a DRT kill, then leave the barrel slightly dirty (5-10 rounds) when building test loads and don't clean too frequently...That will give you your most consistent load development...You do need to know at what point your accuracy drops off with the 'dirty' factor...
If you are depending on 'cold bore', single shot accuracy, such as a LEO or military sniper requires, then build your loads with a 'pristine' clean barrel...letting it cool substantially between shots...
If you are shooting competitions or varmint type activities, where high round count accuracy is needed, then develop your loads within that range, considering the residual heat factor..
'Knowing' your weapon and it's expected use is your key factor in load development...
If you are depending on 'cold bore', single shot accuracy, such as a LEO or military sniper requires, then build your loads with a 'pristine' clean barrel...letting it cool substantially between shots...
If you are shooting competitions or varmint type activities, where high round count accuracy is needed, then develop your loads within that range, considering the residual heat factor..
'Knowing' your weapon and it's expected use is your key factor in load development...
NdIndy
New member
Youre supposed to clean these things?
Figure you have a super clean barrel, pull the trigger once and youve got a dirty barrel. So unless you super clean every shot youre working the wrong end of consistency.
As long as im not in the wet, i probably clean, quickly, at the end of the season. I think most cleaning regiments are holdovers from when all you had to shoot was soft lead.
Figure you have a super clean barrel, pull the trigger once and youve got a dirty barrel. So unless you super clean every shot youre working the wrong end of consistency.
As long as im not in the wet, i probably clean, quickly, at the end of the season. I think most cleaning regiments are holdovers from when all you had to shoot was soft lead.
Yotecallr
New member
I always use a bore guide and a one piece rod. I wet a few patches with Ed's Red bore cleaner to remove most of the fouling. Then I dip a brush in Ed's Red and after a few stokes I patch it dry. Then I use Boretec CU+2
to remove the copper fouling. It takes about 15 minutes to have a clean barrel.
to remove the copper fouling. It takes about 15 minutes to have a clean barrel.
xsheadspace
New member
One word......WIPEOUT......nuff said..lol