A barrel seldom cleaned

[Vern400]

Just curious, did this rifle have a wooden stock?

Yes

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Yes

I suspect that leaving a wet rifle with a wooden stock next to the wood stove had a lot to do with the loss of accuracy. The stock probably warped. That’s why cleaning the bore didn’t fix the problem.

 

[Vern400]

I have 3 match rifles that haven't been cleaned since early 2024. They all have between 700-1100 rounds on them since. I guess I'm neglecting and abusing my barrels.........ironically they still look just fine, and shoot even better.

Probably not abusing anything. I hunt and shoot rain and shine. Pouring. I'm going. I like stalking more in the rain. And I hunt salt marshes occasionally. match barrels are typically SS. Hardly a 30 year old chrome moly barrel with just 3k rounds going to pitting death. Completely different circumstances it sounds like. It was the years and the moisture for me.

 

[Vern400]

I suspect that leaving a wet rifle with a wooden stock next to the wood stove had a lot to do with the loss of accuracy. The stock probably warped. That’s why cleaning the bore didn’t fix the problem.

It's free floated and doesn't touch. I opened up the clearances to about 1/16 inch. But you're right it did make a difference before I free floated it good.