CLEANING YOUR RIFLE BARREL

Like what has been said, there is so many opinions on this, you'll never get two people to agree.

But it depends on the intent. Hunting guns are different from varmint guns are different from certain competition guns. Type of barrel makes a huge difference too, between a factory barrel and a top shelf stainless barrel.

Since I shoot benchrest, I clean a lot. But a few fundamentals, a bore guide is a must, good solvent, patches and brushes, and a decent one piece rod(s). I won't name brands of things, just use common sense. You can't expect a barrel to perform well if it's fouled badly, just aint gonna happen.
 
I just can't wrap my head around the whole bore snake thing.Why run something dirty thru your bore? You wouldnt run a dirty patch thru to try and clean your rifle would you?
 
Originally Posted By: BeluebowI just can't wrap my head around the whole bore snake thing.Why run something dirty thru your bore? You wouldnt run a dirty patch thru to try and clean your rifle would you?

Save your breath.
I've been saying that for years but it tends to fall on deaf ears around here.
 
I dont do a huge amount of shooting. In my experience though, using a bore snake for my 12ga and .223/5.56's, the material stays pretty clean for a good 5/6 cleanings, again, I usually dont shoot very much so my firearms aren't that dirty. Then I throw the bore snakes in a sock and put them through the wash. come out clean and new. Also, the firearms I have used them on had shiny clean bores when I was done. Again, just my experience. Cleaning using patches, I would use both sides of the patch and make sure it was good and used before getting a new one. Gets the most out of the patch IMO. Then repeat until no residue is left over, then lightly oil.

Satisfy the manufacturer's recommendations is a good one too.

Everyone has their own way of doing it. Its your gun, whatever makes you feel better about it.
 
Originally Posted By: BeluebowI just can't wrap my head around the whole bore snake thing.Why run something dirty thru your bore? You wouldnt run a dirty patch thru to try and clean your rifle would you?

Anybody with half a brain would not push a dirty patch though their bore.

Those same half brain folks would not pull a dirty bore snake through their bore. (they're washable
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All bets are off on the ones with less than half a brain.
 
Just my humble opinion and practice...I have a bore snake for almost each of my a rifles and handguns...

When shooting a high round competition, where speed is also as much a factor as accuracy, or working over a PD town,,,When the accuracy starts to fall off, a run through with the bore snake helps, as there usually isn't a lot of time for cleaning between stages at a match....They just get a really thorough cleaning at the end of a day...
 
Originally Posted By: AZGI dont do a huge amount of shooting. In my experience though, using a bore snake for my 12ga and .223/5.56's, the material stays pretty clean for a good 5/6 cleanings, again, I usually dont shoot very much so my firearms aren't that dirty. Then I throw the bore snakes in a sock and put them through the wash. come out clean and new. Also, the firearms I have used them on had shiny clean bores when I was done. Again, just my experience. Cleaning using patches, I would use both sides of the patch and make sure it was good and used before getting a new one. Gets the most out of the patch IMO. Then repeat until no residue is left over, then lightly oil.

Satisfy the manufacturer's recommendations is a good one too.

Everyone has their own way of doing it. Its your gun, whatever makes you feel better about it.

Not sure I understand the reasoning that somehow pulling a dirty rope through a bore that's "not that dirty" is any different than one that's real dirty but I do applaud your frugality in using both sides of those patches that cost about a penny. Heck,, you might be able to put ALL of your kids through college if ya wash em in a sock and reuse em.
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Originally Posted By: RePeteOriginally Posted By: AZGI dont do a huge amount of shooting. In my experience though, using a bore snake for my 12ga and .223/5.56's, the material stays pretty clean for a good 5/6 cleanings, again, I usually dont shoot very much so my firearms aren't that dirty. Then I throw the bore snakes in a sock and put them through the wash. come out clean and new. Also, the firearms I have used them on had shiny clean bores when I was done. Again, just my experience. Cleaning using patches, I would use both sides of the patch and make sure it was good and used before getting a new one. Gets the most out of the patch IMO. Then repeat until no residue is left over, then lightly oil.

Satisfy the manufacturer's recommendations is a good one too.

Everyone has their own way of doing it. Its your gun, whatever makes you feel better about it.

Not sure I understand the reasoning that somehow pulling a dirty rope through a bore that's "not that dirty" is any different than one that's real dirty but I do applaud your frugality in using both sides of those patches that cost about a penny. Heck,, you might be able to put ALL of your kids through college if ya wash em in a sock and reuse em.
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Lmao!! best chuckle I've had all day!
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Originally Posted By: RePeteHeck,, you might be able to put ALL of your kids through college if ya wash em in a sock

I tried washing my kids in socks. They just wouldn't fit.

Two at a time fit nicely in a gunny sack though.
 
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Originally Posted By: doggin coyotesOriginally Posted By: RePeteHeck,, you might be able to put ALL of your kids through college if ya wash em in a sock

My tried washing my kids in socks. They just wouldn't fit.

Two at a time fit nicely in a gunny sack though.

You know good and well what I meant:) but now that you mention it, I do hope child protective services doesn't read this.
 
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Originally Posted By: OldTurtleJust my humble opinion and practice...I have a bore snake for almost each of my a rifles and handguns...

When shooting a high round competition, where speed is also as much a factor as accuracy, or working over a PD town,,,When the accuracy starts to fall off, a run through with the bore snake helps, as there usually isn't a lot of time for cleaning between stages at a match....They just get a really thorough cleaning at the end of a day...

When I shoot a match, I clean my rifle after each target/relay. I also reload for the next relay, and have never been late. If you clean often, your barrel stays in top shape all the time and it doesn't get so fouled it takes a lot of time to clean it properly.

Now shooting a dog town, this is where 2 or 3 guns are in order. You can put on gun in the cleaning rack, a couple wet patches, brush it and a couple more patches to soak all in the matter of a few minutes. Then go after them with another gun, then rotate it. Keeps them cooler too. Heat will wear out a throat far more quickly than round count.
 
I use a one piece Tipton rod and clean from the bore. All I use are hoppes and clp. I used to clean after every trip to the range or if I shot when hunting. Now I clean after two boxes or so of shells have been used and if the rifle has been out in bad weather. I think accuracy is better since I quit cleaning as much. Once a year I take the barrel and action out of the stock and clean everything. One of the best investments I have made is a compressor to blow excess cleaning fluid, dirt and crud out of the action, bolt and trigger assembly. From what I have been told by my gunsmith this will deprive him of revenue since 80% of his work is cleaning filthy actions.
 
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one piece rod, bore guide, wipeout and Montana extreme products. Most of my guns/reloads like a little fouling so I will wipe the powder fouling out after a day at the range or hunting but don't get aggressive with copper fouling. Once maybe twice a year I do a full deep clean to remove most of the copper, found that a platted jag wont mislead you when using ammonia based cleaners. I always shoot some foulers on my hunting guns after deep cleaning before taking them to the field.... Best advice is find out what your rifle/reloads prefer.
 
Like to go to range I'm a member with at least 3 rifles one or two times a week....I'm retired and shooting is one of my hobbies.

Generally shoot minimum of 16 rds per rifle when at range.

My typical cleaning routine is just a patch or two down the bore with one of several bore cleaners I own or my version of Ed's Red. I like to rotate the bore cleaners I use. Might dunk a nylon/tynex brush in the bore cleaner bottle and stroke it a few times down bore. Let the bore cleaner set for around 15 minutes or so and then dry patch the bore on a tight jag. Then a patch with a light coat of oil goes down the bore.

Every once in awhile I might use a bronze brush after letting the bore cleaner soak when the rifle is one I've had to range 4 or so times.
 
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