cleaning at the range ?
- Thread starter rebs
- Start date
I try to every 25 or so shots. I don't shoot competition though.
Never have, never will, never saw the need.
I clean at home where can properly secure the rifle in a vice and I have all the tools handy to do the job properly without damaging the rifle. Hauling all that stuff to the range would be too cumbersome for me and I'd invariably forget something. I hate cleaning guns and doing at the range would ruin the range experience for me.
Of course I rarely shoot more than 20 rounds in a range session so there is no need to clean at the range. Also, I don't use those 'rip cord' devices either. There's just something about pulling that cord through my custom barrels over the crown that gives me the hives.
I've seen guys clean at the range with a cleaning rod mainly for the popular new barrel "break in" procedure, i.e. shoot one round - clean - shoot another round - clean - etc. Never did that either but a lot of precision shooters swear it's the proper way to break in a barrel.
I clean at home where can properly secure the rifle in a vice and I have all the tools handy to do the job properly without damaging the rifle. Hauling all that stuff to the range would be too cumbersome for me and I'd invariably forget something. I hate cleaning guns and doing at the range would ruin the range experience for me.
Of course I rarely shoot more than 20 rounds in a range session so there is no need to clean at the range. Also, I don't use those 'rip cord' devices either. There's just something about pulling that cord through my custom barrels over the crown that gives me the hives.
I've seen guys clean at the range with a cleaning rod mainly for the popular new barrel "break in" procedure, i.e. shoot one round - clean - shoot another round - clean - etc. Never did that either but a lot of precision shooters swear it's the proper way to break in a barrel.
I clean at the range as the gun is already setting in the front/rear rest, barrel is warm, don't have to unpack the gun when I get home and set up the rest after moving a bunch of "stuff" off the workbench. I carry cleaning rods in a PVC tube to protect them and a small fabric style cooler/tackle bag that holds the cleaning solvents/jags/patches and bore guide. I usually take 2 rifles to the range as I have a 2 hr round trip, so I make the trip worthwhile. I have other things to do or want to do than clean guns when I get back home.
Forum Boss
Administrator
Yes. I find solvents and bore foam are most effective when applied when the barrel is still warm and the carbon has not set up. My routine for a bolt gun, usually after 50-60 Rounds at a match, consists of 5-6 soaking wet patches followed by two (2) applications of WipeOut bore foam. After the first foaming I wait 15 minutes for the bubbles to dissipate, then foam the bore a second time. Then I plug breech and muzzle and drive home.
3 hrs later I will patch out the barrel.
Folks would not believe how little brushing I do for most (but not all) my barrels... As ever, YMMV.
3 hrs later I will patch out the barrel.
Folks would not believe how little brushing I do for most (but not all) my barrels... As ever, YMMV.
Last edited:
I clean my guns every 250 rounds, so no. It’s usually a deep clean at the house.
linebaugh
Silver $$ Contributor
I assume you mean 22 LR and no.
I do barrel break in on CF at the range then usually every 120-220 rounds I do a the bench at home in the shop.
I have some of the rope/snake type cleaners but never use them. I cant see dragging all that crap that you want out of a bbl back through it when the cord is dirty.
If you are talking 22LR I would like to hear (maybe I don't) what intervals people clean at. I have been doing a wag and cleaning every 1500ish.
I do barrel break in on CF at the range then usually every 120-220 rounds I do a the bench at home in the shop.
I have some of the rope/snake type cleaners but never use them. I cant see dragging all that crap that you want out of a bbl back through it when the cord is dirty.
If you are talking 22LR I would like to hear (maybe I don't) what intervals people clean at. I have been doing a wag and cleaning every 1500ish.
Nearly 20 years ago now I found a storage box with one of those collapsible work table vices on the top. My cleaning gear lives in it & the jaws are now padded to clamp my rifle. I use it on the range or at home.
50bmg1979
Silver $$ Contributor
What do you use for plugging your barrel?
Forum Boss: This is a 6mm or 22 cal centerfire (no brakes) so I use a tapered foam earplug in the muzzle with some blue tape to hold in place.
For breech, I leave the O-Ring Bore guide in place and just shove a patch in the end. But I typical transport rifle in a vertical case so the breech is slightly higher than muzzle. Therfore nothing comes out the bore guide end.
Last edited by a moderator:
243Lapua
Silver $$ Contributor
I stop using them corded snakes. Had one pull cord detach from the thicker portion. Tried to pull in reverse with no success. Had to buy a brass rod and knock it out. So it's cleaning rod and iosso blue brush with solvent. I only use standard velocity ammo or match grade ammo on my 22's. So it's minor cleaning. No need for brass brush.
How well do bore snakes actually work? I use them all the time. But I don’t do the same type of copper removal others do. I have yet to have a fouled barrel throw shots. But I’m only aiming for 1/2 MOA at best with the type of shooting I do.
linekin
Gold $$ Contributor
With my "squirell" guns I rarely clean. Maybe every 500rds or so. I use them so infrequently now I do it because I don't remember when I did it last mostly.
With my comp guns somewhere between 50-100 depending on the ammo I'm shooting. I have all my equipment with me with these rifles so its easier as was mentioned above.
I tried a boresnake thingy......once. I thought it was a pita.
Keith
With my comp guns somewhere between 50-100 depending on the ammo I'm shooting. I have all my equipment with me with these rifles so its easier as was mentioned above.
I tried a boresnake thingy......once. I thought it was a pita.
Keith
coldboreshot
Silver $$ Contributor
A long time ago, I discovered that bore snakes only removed the small residual carbon particulates and really did not do any significant cleaning. I also don't subscribe to using a device like that which continually drags material removed from the barrel over and over again via its soft material. And forget about copper removal. To me, its not the proper device for effective copper removal either. Individual patches, cleaning rod and effective solvents, you cant go wrong. Regarding the comment on bore foam when the barrel is still hot/warm, I found, the foam is more effective when the barrel is cool so the heat does not break down and liquefy the foam quickly. It works better in suspension for as long as possible.
avidflyer
Gold $$ Contributor
5-6 soaking wet patches of what?
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
Not a fan of bore snakes or rip cord, but never used them, so I might not know what I am missing.
But I spend a month shooting prairie dogs each year. For centerfire rifles, I clean every 50 shots, PERIOD. And that is both 20 cals and 22 cals centerfires. Mostly AR's but not all. More of a challenge than cleaning at a bench, but not much. Here is a pic I took this year while I was cleaning. Let me draw your attention to:
- scope is covered to protect the optics
- jar where every used patch goes
- same bore guide I use for cleaning at my bench
- I wipe the rod clean every time I remove it from the rifle
I typically shoot 200 to 350 rounds in a day, and no way I'm going that long without cleaning the bore. For my AR's, every night I totally clean the BCG and lube it as well as the inside of the upper. Every day it cycles like a sewing machine.
^where do you shoot that much at?!
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.