Cleaning Process

[jackie_daytona]

Just looking to get some input. Are you guys cleaning often or after a few hundred rounds?

I have a "work related" bolt gun we clean around every 200 rounds, and I've cleaned a personal one after every range session….thinking I might change to to the "every 200 round" practice.

Any thoughts?

 

[Jud96]

I use to clean every 150-250 rounds or so, but I noticed I would get hard carbon baked on the first 6" of barrel on multiple rifles. The only way to get the carbon out was to use Iosso bore paste. I'm not against the bore paste, but I'd rather only use it sparingly and not every time I clean. I now believe in staying on top of cleaning and now try and do it every 50 rounds or so. That doesn't work for everyone, it just depends on what you do with the rifle and how it's used.

 

[jackie_daytona]

I like the 50 idea, I might stick to that.

 

[QuietTexan]

We're supposed to clean them?

Only way to know for sure is to shoot your rifle more without cleaning and see what happens. I typically see better consistency when I clean less, 100-200 rounds between cleanings easily on some. Others I baby and they get wiped out every trip. I've been able to get barrels very clean with VFG pellets and Kroil/JB when I need to, no matter how dirty.

 

[imyourhuckleberry]

I normally just run a brush with oil a few times to cut down on leading or copper fouling , a couple of dry patches to swab up loose particles in the barrel and a final swab with oil patch to help prevent rust. Do it right there at the range, takes less than 5 minutes.

 

[waveslayer]

I only clean one the groups open up. Otherwise no cleaning for me

 

[jackie_daytona]

I only clean one the groups open up. Otherwise no cleaning for me

I have also heard this…I just don't think I'm consistent enough to tell it's the cleaning and not me widening the group.

 

[AC300Win]

I don't have a regular barrel cleaning regiment but I have a magnums that will shoot 60-80 rounds before groups start opening up with carbon and copper fouling. After cleaning it usually takes a couple fouling rounds before groups tighten back up.

 

[motrapper]

After a good cleaning with boretech it takes 4 to 6 shots to come back online
Cleaning around 100 rds

 

[ZAK13]

I do a thorough cleaning once a year, but will run a bore snake thru the barrel a few times after every range session. My muzzleloader on the other hand gets a complete cleaning after every range session.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I've been doing what Accuracy International recommends - 100 rounds.

I don't get the barrel squeaky clean but rather get the powder fouling and then work on the carbon with Boretech carbon Remover. The first shot is basically where the other shots go from a good barrel.

 

[pdshooter2]

really depends on your accuracy "as is" is, and what you expect.
so benchrest shooters typically clean some where between 7 and 50 shots depending on the shooter and the bbl.....these people shoot really small groups
classic mil type shooting is about 88 rfs per match 200/300/600 yards, 10 ring is 2 moa/x ring 1 moa, they try to stay inside 10 ring clean after the match
and then the guys posting here tight up to the do not clean( oil is not a cleaner)
for casual shooting let the bbl tell you or pick a number and be consistent.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I'm a clean freak and will clean my rifles after every session at the range. However, if a rifle was shot less than 20 rounds I just don't bother.

It usually takes about 3 rounds for the rifles to start grouping tight again after a cleaning. I keep some brass loaded with powder & bullets that I don't use anymore to foul the barrel.

Assuming that copper and carbon form in layers; I can't imagine how difficult it might be to thoroughly clean a bore after a few hundred rounds.

 

[just_jon]

I only clean one the groups open up. Otherwise no cleaning for me

Same here except for 17 and 20 cal. They get cleaned after every session.