Cleaning Rifle After Shooting?
- Thread starter MMH
- Start date
I will give you two examples of what I do. EXAMPLE#1: If I am in load development, I will shoot UP TO 100 rounds, with the same powder, prior to cleaning. However, cleaning means down to the bone! EXAMPLE#2: In Arizona we have this situation I call "Plink-a-Thons" where instead of shooting matches, we shoot almost always "practices" that consist of shooting 3 matches "back-to-back-to-back"! Doing this in an hour will destroy your throat! So I bring 2 rifles. The first and third "matches" I shoot with one and the second I shoot with the other. Then the next time out I shoot the first and third matches with the rifle I only shot once in the previous match and the second match with the rifle I shot matches 1 and 3 with prior. I DO NOT clean between the 2 sets of matches. However, once all the matches are done, I scrub both barrels down to the bone! Never had any ill effects nor degradation of accuracy..
Jimmy James
Silver $$ Contributor
No brushes here. Min 3 wet, 3 dry at the bench after 15 shots
Forum Boss
Administrator
For most rifles that don't foul a lot, I'll run 3-4 soaking wet patches through bore. Then apply Wipe-Out foam. I wait about 20 minutes as the bubbles dissipate, while I'm loading my gear into the car. Then I reapply the foam, and plug muzzle and breech. I drive home and patch out about 3-4 hours later. That's it. With other barrels I might brush a little to remove hard carbon -- but I rarely shoot more than 70 rounds in one session and the wet patches and WipeOut takes care of that, if applied right after you shoot.
With the Wipe-out, no carbon ring after hundreds of rounds with Varget and H4350.
There are many other ways to clean that may work for you. I know those who believe aggressive bronze brushing works well for them. As a general principle, however, with a really good-shooting barrel, I take the conservative approach. YMMV.
With the Wipe-out, no carbon ring after hundreds of rounds with Varget and H4350.
There are many other ways to clean that may work for you. I know those who believe aggressive bronze brushing works well for them. As a general principle, however, with a really good-shooting barrel, I take the conservative approach. YMMV.
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
That is probably the best answer on cleaning I have every seen. I always figure if you ask 10 people on what works best (method, mechanical/chemical) etc. you will get at least 12 answers.
This is one of those issues where there are a lot of opinions and few facts. I'll add my opinion.
In season, I clean every 30 rounds. I normally only shoot 10 to 12 per range session when practicing so I don't necessarily clean after shooting. I clean based on round count, in season.
About a year ago I switches to Bore Tech products because the smell of Shooter's Choice was driving wifey crazy. I was very impressed with Bore Tech and now use it exclusively.
Since I believe that a bronze brush is desirable to prevent a carbon ring I opted for the two part Bore Tech system. I used their Carbon Removal, C4, with a bronze brush. After dry patching I run a couple of patches of their copper removal, C2, down the bore. After the specified dwell time I dry patch. If I see evidence of copper I go to a full C2 treatment with 15 passes of a saturated nylon brush. Every 100 rounds I do a full C2 treatment.
If you use Dewey no harm bronze brushes and a rod guide you won't harm the bore using a bronze brush.
In season, I clean every 30 rounds. I normally only shoot 10 to 12 per range session when practicing so I don't necessarily clean after shooting. I clean based on round count, in season.
About a year ago I switches to Bore Tech products because the smell of Shooter's Choice was driving wifey crazy. I was very impressed with Bore Tech and now use it exclusively.
Since I believe that a bronze brush is desirable to prevent a carbon ring I opted for the two part Bore Tech system. I used their Carbon Removal, C4, with a bronze brush. After dry patching I run a couple of patches of their copper removal, C2, down the bore. After the specified dwell time I dry patch. If I see evidence of copper I go to a full C2 treatment with 15 passes of a saturated nylon brush. Every 100 rounds I do a full C2 treatment.
If you use Dewey no harm bronze brushes and a rod guide you won't harm the bore using a bronze brush.
I switched to Boretech a few years ago and use it exclusively now, if you haven’t tried it you should.. I’ve seen no ill effects with using a bronze brush..follow the instructions on the Boretech bottles..This is one of those issues where there are a lot of opinions and few facts. I'll add my opinion.
In season, I clean every 30 rounds. I normally only shoot 10 to 12 per range session when practicing so I don't necessarily clean after shooting. I clean based on round count, in season.
About a year ago I switches to Bore Tech products because the smell of Shooter's Choice was driving wifey crazy. I was very impressed with Bore Tech and now use it exclusively.
Since I believe that a bronze brush is desirable to prevent a carbon ring I opted for the two part Bore Tech system. I used their Carbon Removal, C4, with a bronze brush. After dry patching I run a couple of patches of their copper removal, C2, down the bore. After the specified dwell time I dry patch. If I see evidence of copper I go to a full C2 treatment with 15 passes of a saturated nylon brush. Every 100 rounds I do a full C2 treatment.
If you use Dewey no harm bronze brushes and a rod guide you won't harm the bore using a bronze brush.
JMayo
Silver $$ Contributor
It takes hours of brushing to get mine totally clean, per bore scope.
Jb on a patched brush does more in a couple of passes than dozen of patches alone.
The patches do nothing but wipe out the grit.
That's what I have found out using a bore scope.
Finding what the gun likes seems to be a point. Mine likes to be clean.
Patches
Brush
Jb
Patches
Until the cows come home !
Jb on a patched brush does more in a couple of passes than dozen of patches alone.
The patches do nothing but wipe out the grit.
That's what I have found out using a bore scope.
Finding what the gun likes seems to be a point. Mine likes to be clean.
Patches
Brush
Jb
Patches
Until the cows come home !
+1 on this method , it works for me as well... If I just can't get something stubborn out , a few strokes with a brush and re-foam , then an oily patch followed by how ever many dry patches , depending on how long it will be stored...
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For stubborn fouling between JB or Iosso, I clean using Boretech Carbon cleaner with bronze brush and leave Carbon cleaner in over night then do the same with Copper remover... stripes most everything out.I Iosso every 200-250 to remove really stubborn build up in first few inches of barrel.
Forum Boss
Administrator
Quote: It takes hours of brushing to get mine totally clean, per bore scope.
You don't necessarily need to get your barrel totally clean. The last time I bore-scoped my 6BR barrel I saw some black streaks in the grooves. I was about to break out the brush for the first time ever (in 700+ rounds). Then my buddy said -- "let's shoot it first".
We did. With him pulling the trigger it did a 0.148" 4-shot group at 100 yards after two fouling shots. This is with a PacNor 3-groove.
Re bronze brushing -- it's not just the barrel's innards to consider -- it's your crown (particularly if you draw the brush back in after the "out" stroke). There's a reason the short-range BR guys, who bronze brush a LOT, also recrown their barrels regularly.
I want to stress that different techniques are appropriate for different barrels, disciplines and shot strings. But I know a guy in New Mexico who also practices the conservative approach. He also happens to be the current F-Class world champion and K02M champ.
You can always "evolve" to aggressive brushing, use of abrasives etc., but I suggest people begin conservatively -- and see how that works. And if you've never tried WipeOut, you should.
You don't necessarily need to get your barrel totally clean. The last time I bore-scoped my 6BR barrel I saw some black streaks in the grooves. I was about to break out the brush for the first time ever (in 700+ rounds). Then my buddy said -- "let's shoot it first".
We did. With him pulling the trigger it did a 0.148" 4-shot group at 100 yards after two fouling shots. This is with a PacNor 3-groove.
Re bronze brushing -- it's not just the barrel's innards to consider -- it's your crown (particularly if you draw the brush back in after the "out" stroke). There's a reason the short-range BR guys, who bronze brush a LOT, also recrown their barrels regularly.
I want to stress that different techniques are appropriate for different barrels, disciplines and shot strings. But I know a guy in New Mexico who also practices the conservative approach. He also happens to be the current F-Class world champion and K02M champ.
You can always "evolve" to aggressive brushing, use of abrasives etc., but I suggest people begin conservatively -- and see how that works. And if you've never tried WipeOut, you should.
Well, there are a LOT of great answers above, I just would like to make one comment.
It's easier to KEEP a barrel clean than to clean a really dirty barrel.
I still relive the nightmare of getting my BR barrel clean. After a year of basic cleaning (A clean patch tells your nothing, only a scope does) and finding the carbon ring and the first 3 inches of the barrel with layers of hard carbon and some copper. The worse, on and off week of cleaning sessions of my life...
Robert
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
Well all Great information posted .
I shoot Long Range . I have shot 3 Day Marches 60 rounds a day . Had Barrels I didn’t clean till I got Home .
I have a Barrel now that is a Hammer !! To a point .
It won’t do a 3 day Match .
If Copper fouls like nothing I have ever had ?
My feeling the Bad Boy is like People Not all equal .
It at around 900 rounds fired , hoping for little improvement????
I shoot Long Range . I have shot 3 Day Marches 60 rounds a day . Had Barrels I didn’t clean till I got Home .
I have a Barrel now that is a Hammer !! To a point .
It won’t do a 3 day Match .
If Copper fouls like nothing I have ever had ?
My feeling the Bad Boy is like People Not all equal .
It at around 900 rounds fired , hoping for little improvement????
ClassCat
Unlimited
In Short range Benchrest we clean after every group or every other group. I like Eliminator. A couple of patches of carbon remover-C-4, and a few patches of Eliminator Bore cleaner with a proof positive jag will give me a good idea what is going on. I have found the C4 is the best on carbon rings.
If you want to make an investment, buy a Hawkeye Bore Scope
If you want to make an investment, buy a Hawkeye Bore Scope
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Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
A little powder or copper fouling is no problem. Hard carbon is. Its not something you want building up. Different cartridge/powder combos will carbon foul at different rates. When I get phone calls regarding carbon build up, the first thing I ask is, are you using a bronze brush? The answer is always no.
I am in T-Total agreement in regards to the use of bronze brushes. I will tell you a "For Real" story. I bought a Rock Creek (before he went military for awhile) 30 cal barrel for a .308 build. I said to myself "if I start right from the get-go and NOT use bronze brushes, ONLY very stiff nylon brushes, along with A GOOD SOAKING of Bore-Tech Eliminator, should maintain a clean barrel". As usual, after about 400 rounds back then, I took my rifle to my smith where he would check with his Hawkeye. I had LOTS of carbon, ie. HARD CARBON build up for nearly half the barrel length! So my "experiment" took me to the conclusion that without a GOOD scrubbing with a bronze brush AND fairly periodic scrubbing with either JB Bore Paste or Iosso Bore Paste, you CAN NOT get the hard carbon out of the barrel. Fortunately for me, I only let it go so far. Yet, I remember the ALL AFTERNOON into the evening of scrubbing to get the carbon out! Horrible! Do NOT let it get out of control in the first place!
Double-amen to that
First, thank you OP for asking the same question I had. Second, thank all of the great members of this forum for offering sound advice. My .223 used to shoot 0.5" MOA on a good day with good ammo if I was doing my part. Now I can barely keep groups under 2". I was using Hoppes #9 and following some internet information about how to clean. It was on YouTube, so it must be true 
. Then I started to wonder about Copper fouling, and I bought some Bore Tech Cu2. The blue-colored patches never stop. I feel like I could scrub for 10 hours and still would not get all of the copper. I suspect that my bore is severely fouled, and I worry that scrubbing endlessly with a bronze brush will actually cause damage, so I have been using a nylon brush. I get the impression that most responses to this post actually recommend the bronze brush and aggressive solvents. Never heard of hard carbon, but there's a good chance I have that too. Can someone elaborate on how/why this hard carbon forms?
. Then I started to wonder about Copper fouling, and I bought some Bore Tech Cu2. The blue-colored patches never stop. I feel like I could scrub for 10 hours and still would not get all of the copper. I suspect that my bore is severely fouled, and I worry that scrubbing endlessly with a bronze brush will actually cause damage, so I have been using a nylon brush. I get the impression that most responses to this post actually recommend the bronze brush and aggressive solvents. Never heard of hard carbon, but there's a good chance I have that too. Can someone elaborate on how/why this hard carbon forms?
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