Barrel cleaning?

[dcali]

What I've wound up with over the years is this:

Rimfire: almost never. I run a patch through when convenient.

Anything that shoots over 1 MOA: at the end of the shooting season before putting away for the winter

Competition AR's: Every 200 rounds or so. More to keep the action clean than the barrel, which seems to shoot well enough for High Power after 200 rounds. I don't want to find out what the functional limit is for the action, although I'd guess it's way more than 200.

F Class: Every 200-300 rounds. I have not noticed a drop off in accuracy at that level, and I don't want to know how far it can go because that means I'll find out in the middle of a match. I suspect the magic number is much higher than 300.

Benchrest: It's voodoo. I've cleaned after every group and after every trip to the range. I still don't understand it.

Barrel cleaning routine is simple: use a nylon brush and shooters choice to start, then patch with sc soaked patches about a minute apart until they come out 95% clean. If there is stubborn fouling, a couple of patches of JB works well - but note that they will ALWAYS come out black, no matter how clean the bore is (try rubbing a patch of JB on the *outside* of the barrel, and you'll see). Finish with a tight patch of CLP.

I don't fuss over cleaning - I don't believe it materially damages the barrel and it's not terribly relevant to accuracy (benchrest voodoo aside).

 

[4xforfun]

When I started compeating in IBS 1000 BR back in 2008, a large number of shooters were cleaning after every group/match. I also remember reading some info on the short range BR guys doing the same thing.

Now, it seems like most people are shooting all day..some all weekend, with out cleaning. IMO I think that the BBLs are getting better, foul less, and are less likely loose accuracy in XX shots.

This, of course, is just my opinion. I started using button tubes that fouled terribly, and now I shoot mainly Kreiger and Brux that simply don't seem to foul. maybe you guys shooting the Kreigers all along don't see a difference between BBLs from 15 years ago and todays tubes.

As far as the op.....I shoot as many as 100 rounds before I worry about cleaning.

Tod

 

[DJB]

When I started compeating in IBS 1000 BR back in 2008, a large number of shooters were cleaning after every group/match. I also remember reading some info on the short range BR guys doing the same thing.

Now, it seems like most people are shooting all day..some all weekend, with out cleaning. IMO I think that the BBLs are getting better, foul less, and are less likely loose accuracy in XX shots.

This, of course, is just my opinion. I started using button tubes that fouled terribly, and now I shoot mainly Kreiger and Brux that simply don't seem to foul. maybe you guys shooting the Kreigers all along don't see a difference between BBLs from 15 years ago and todays tubes.

As far as the op.....I shoot as many as 100 rounds before I worry about cleaning.

Tod

When I started compeating in IBS 1000 BR back in 2008, a large number of shooters were cleaning after every group/match. I also remember reading some info on the short range BR guys doing the same thing.

Now, it seems like most people are shooting all day..some all weekend, with out cleaning. IMO I think that the BBLs are getting better, foul less, and are less likely loose accuracy in XX shots.

This, of course, is just my opinion. I started using button tubes that fouled terribly, and now I shoot mainly Kreiger and Brux that simply don't seem to foul. maybe you guys shooting the Kreigers all along don't see a difference between BBLs from 15 years ago and todays tubes.

As far as the op.....I shoot as many as 100 rounds before I worry about cleaning.

Tod

I have a bore scope and did some testing while cleaning. I have a Dasher that builds up with copper due to firecracking. I have used Butches, Shooters Choice, Bore tech products etc etc. I would clean out the bore with 2 wet patches of what ever I was using. Then I would saturate a bore mop with the solvent, and wet the whole bore with it. I even left the bore mop in the throat to soak for 15 minutes. After cleaning I looked it over with the bore scope. Of all the different types of solvents used, the only one that worked every time was Sweets, which like the others, I let soak for 15 minutes. Others would work but not on the first soaking like sweets. Like I said, Most all worked but most all needed a second or third soaking before brushing to get all the copper out. The Sweets did it every time with one soaking. You just have to make sure you patch out all the sweets, and then patch the bore with a little oil before shooting again.
I am a rimfire shooter and have shot competition for 10 years. I love shooting against those that think rimfires don't need a good cleaning once in a while. Each barrel is different, and once you find out how they need to be cleaned, it will shoot extremely well. Now if you are talking minute of squirrel, then you can get by without a real good cleaning once in a while. At big IR5050 matches, some shooters clean after every card, which can be 40 rounds or more. Most shooters think their rifles are clean, but are not clean enough. They will just foul out sooner then before. Each barrel is different and may need to be cleaned in a different way. You just have to understand the bore, and how it needs to be cleaned, and how often it needs to be cleaned. Some matches need to shoot well over say 40 rounds before being able to clean it. Lots of barrels can do it. If they can't you can either replace to barrel or struggle with it. With some special cleaning you may get it to shoot longer but not always. FWIW. DJB

 

[DukeDuke]

For the most part, I clean my guns at the end of the day, no matter if 1 round or a 101-rounds.
If I am going to be shooting again soon (with in a day or two) I may elect to leave it fouled.
If they are going to sit for any length of time, I want them stored clean.
Oil is my last steps to all cleanings.
My 2-Cents
Donovan

same here

 

[dcali]

...Of all the different types of solvents used, the only one that worked every time was Sweets...

The smell though... that stuff is foul. Takes me a day to get the ammonia stench out of my nostrils.

 

[4xforfun]

The smell though... that stuff is foul. Takes me a day to get the ammonia stench out of my nostrils.

Ya...but you are WIDE AWAKE for the whole day!!!!

 

[Milo 2.0]

Now, it seems like most people are shooting all day..some all weekend, with out cleaning. IMO I think that the BBLs are getting better, foul less, and are less likely loose accuracy in XX shots.

This, of course, is just my opinion. I started using button tubes that fouled terribly, and now I shoot mainly Kreiger and Brux that simply don't seem to foul. maybe you guys shooting the Kreigers all along don't see a difference between BBLs from 15 years ago and todays tubes.

Tod

A lot was said right here^^

 

[LRPV]

Let the barrel tell you. I shoot 600BR and I've got one barrel that will shoot as small at the end of the day (80+ rounds) as it will in the beginning. I got a barrel that will open up considerably after about 25 shots and it has been that way since day one. It'll shoot small as long as I clean it every two targets. It's a pain but it's been worth it. Then I have others that fall somewhere in between these two extremes.

 

[dmoran]

The smell though... that stuff is foul. Takes me a day to get the ammonia stench out of my nostrils.

Your suppose to use it in your barrel, not your nostrils.....

Just kidding !.!.!
Donovan

 

[4xforfun]

Your suppose to use it in your barrel, not your nostrils.....

Just kidding !.!.!
Donovan

I'll tell you what's worse (ok...BETTER) than Sweets........That Warthog you guys used to sell!!!!! That stuff was POTENT!!!

 

[dmoran]

^^^^ Ya it is.....
It's my primary go to solvent. It absolutely destroyers copper on contact, and loosens carbon better then any other cleaner I've ever used. Have 18 bottles left in my "private stash".
Donovan