Rifle Cleaning

[deerhunter628]

I have always shot a rifle as a tool. I have never really dove in too deep. I have read several posts about people who are much more experienced than me saying that they don't clean their rifles very often. Are you guys seriously not cleaning your rifles? I have always been taught to clean my rifle after every use.

 

[rayporter]

lots claim that they don't clean, I don't know about that. I shoot and compete and if you don't clean you don't win.

also lota b s about damage from the rod. if you damage a barrel with a rod you need some serious lessons in its use. oh, and use a rod not a snake. there is really many barrels ruined with a snake. google it.

 

[Laelkhunter]

And a bore guide for your rod, Lucas or Possum Hollow-Can't hurt

 

[Tumbleweed]

From my experience working with a lot of factory rifles and developing loads for them, you HAVE to clean them. And I mean heavy duty cleaning to remove copper. Only question is when. Most I've found are in the 30-40 round window for best accuracy. When groups start to open...clean. Figure anywhere from 4-10 rounds after cleaning to get top accuracy back. Again, we're talking factory barrels here.


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[deerhunter628]

great info everybody, thanks. I am going to stick with cleaning everytime. I might even clean after 4-10 rounds at the range.

 

[Scoony]

I used to clean all the time, but have learned that (at least for me) it is not necessary. I will clean after about 150 rounds out of a bolt, or 200+ from an AR. I have gotten my 308 bolt to a point that it does not pick up a lot of copper. It did from the beginning, but not nearly as much now. I would rather be shooting or loading ammo than cleaning rifles.


First shots from a cleaned bore will always be about 2" high. After three shots, it settles back to the normal point of aim. Thats why I never clean during hunting season. Only a dry patch or two if needed.

 

[Wrench]

It depends on the tube. If the throat is cooked or the finish sucks....it'll pull copper like a bum on street corner. If it's slick....non issue.

 

[rhusby28]

Cleaning every 4 to 10 rounds might be excessive. I’ve found some where between 25 to 50 rounds is somewhat practical. Every rifle is different. Some even like a bit of fouling to perform better. If I’ve only fired a few rounds though a rifle I don’t clean it. I actually prefer to foul up a barrel with two to three rounds before I can seriously look at groups.

 

[Jardo]

I clean my ar15 once a year. About 1000 to 1500 rounds. It gets oiled after every use. She’s a dirty little whore most of the time.

I clean my hunting rifle every 150 rounds or so. Most of my shots are within 100 yards. I had a good barrel break in so not too much copper build up.

I clean my long range rifle every 200 rounds more or less. She doesn’t shot good until she’s gets some copper in the grooves. Normally 10 rounds or so.

I clean my ccw every month.




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[260madman]

When accuracy falls off I clean. Sometimes I’ll clean if I switch from a cup n core bullet to a TSX.

 

[Mr Drysdale]

I will clean my bolt guns once a year after hunting season (Whitetails). Oil them good and put them in the safe. Before the next season begins, I will carry the three I hunt with to the range and fire five shots at 100 (adjust if needed after two), three at 200 and three at 300. I set up three targets at each range and alternate rifles to allow cooling between shots. All three rifles get stand time in the woods as our season begins early November and ends January 31. If a rifle gets rained on it gets a good drying out and dry patched. Sometimes a rifle will not get fired during the season even though I shoot every Coyote and Fox I see. It still gets a good cleaning. As far as pleasure shooting, I shoot my AR’s and 10-22’s. They get cleaned when I feel like it. I actually get a bit of pleasure spending time in the shop cleaning my rifles.

 

[HawkCreek]

I don't follow any sort of cleaning routine. I clean it if I think it needs it or if accuracy starts to fall away, other than that I leave them alone unless they are going to be stored for a long period of time. In that case I'l lightly oil them but I still wont usually deep clean them.