Hi-NV Shooter
Gold $$ Contributor
Tim, I agree every rifle I own/owned shoots better with some kind of regular cleaning.
Lee
ARA SHOOTERS--QUESTION ABOUT CLEANING FREQUENCY
- Thread starter dusterdave173
- Start date
Lee
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
This thread has been a Ride!
It started because my great shooting ( and winning) CZ Factory rifle got off in the weeds and scores dropped after I started cleaning it after every session with new to me Rimfire Blend--which is an amazing cleaner--it really works well! Rifle was getting chamber done and a full barrel clean with a nylon brush but results and scores dropped
So....after complaining to another local winning shooter with the same CZ MTR --he says that he had a slump after starting with Rimfire Blend--he stated that he had made a comeback or sorts after a few hundred practice rounds of ammo with same lube as his match ammo and no more barrel cleaning--No more brushing etc just dry patches after every other card or so--he said he was "back in the saddle" so to speak and sure enough he won the next match with his usual high score.
So..I took all of that and set out to do the same thing--My rifle picked back up and has been shooting well again.
I sort of chronicled my progress ( and setbacks) here all the while simply Asking--What do others do with a factory barrel?? I am not interested in what folks do with high $$ match barrels--it is not the same as I am dealing with.
I wanted to Thank all that have contributed --I have learned some things
I always go back to my first match experiences when I was asked how did it go? I reported they had a cleaning match and some shooting broke out.
Stripping the "seasoning" out of my barrel has not worked for me. At any rate...we have 4 more ARA matches before years end--By then I sure hope to have a better handle on it so I can start next season off on the right foot. This year was learning the ropes, getting bags and rests all settled in--swapping scopes--moving scopes back and forth, finding the right stool, etc etc
We shot unsanctioned two card matches all year until we discovered the ARA was back in our area so I really started having issues when we went to the 5 or 6 card format. I have only shot 3 true ARA matches so far so....
Thanks again to all on here for helping me out and helping me progress!
It started because my great shooting ( and winning) CZ Factory rifle got off in the weeds and scores dropped after I started cleaning it after every session with new to me Rimfire Blend--which is an amazing cleaner--it really works well! Rifle was getting chamber done and a full barrel clean with a nylon brush but results and scores dropped
So....after complaining to another local winning shooter with the same CZ MTR --he says that he had a slump after starting with Rimfire Blend--he stated that he had made a comeback or sorts after a few hundred practice rounds of ammo with same lube as his match ammo and no more barrel cleaning--No more brushing etc just dry patches after every other card or so--he said he was "back in the saddle" so to speak and sure enough he won the next match with his usual high score.
So..I took all of that and set out to do the same thing--My rifle picked back up and has been shooting well again.
I sort of chronicled my progress ( and setbacks) here all the while simply Asking--What do others do with a factory barrel?? I am not interested in what folks do with high $$ match barrels--it is not the same as I am dealing with.
I wanted to Thank all that have contributed --I have learned some things
I always go back to my first match experiences when I was asked how did it go? I reported they had a cleaning match and some shooting broke out.
Stripping the "seasoning" out of my barrel has not worked for me. At any rate...we have 4 more ARA matches before years end--By then I sure hope to have a better handle on it so I can start next season off on the right foot. This year was learning the ropes, getting bags and rests all settled in--swapping scopes--moving scopes back and forth, finding the right stool, etc etc
We shot unsanctioned two card matches all year until we discovered the ARA was back in our area so I really started having issues when we went to the 5 or 6 card format. I have only shot 3 true ARA matches so far so....
Thanks again to all on here for helping me out and helping me progress!
Dave, I appreciate what you've done here.
I, myself am a bit like you. I shot my first ARA factory shoot this year.
Learning as I go.
Thanks for the time, effort, expense, and all the trouble you went through for some of us factory ARA shooters like myself that have been on the fence with this topic.
I, myself am a bit like you. I shot my first ARA factory shoot this year.
Learning as I go.
TRSR8
Silver $$ Contributor
Well, it seems you simply have one of those barrels. That said, it also seems that you have taken an approach that works.
The danger seems to come with lots of guys with a base line mentality “I read it on the internet” view and it would seem the regular cleaning regime should be the default position most times factory or custom.
That said, frankly, the 100’s of rounds to come in would concern me personally……nothing should take that long.
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
OK Lets talk about the latest developments..
When you see my scores you will know this is not bragging Hahaha..
I have just finished my first year of 22 bench rest 50 yards
Started at local "outlaw" club where factory means whatever they say it means ( and it ain't factory)
They shoot two cards I finished 6th or so on the year out of about 17 shooters--I won 1 match
Tough Crowd! They shoot a target about like ARA factory class but score it 10 per bull not 100 so two cards of 25 you can do 500--a nick is a hit so easier than ARA I won with a 500 32 X
Usually I was 497-498-15 to 25 X zone and would be mid pack--it took a 500 to be in top 3 all the time
So then late in this year we discovered ARA Factory--well OK !!! My first was 5 cards outside--wind was Tough! First card sucked then I pulled it together finished mid pack in a big field with a 2275 agg on 5 cards Did I mention the Wind?
Since then I have done 3 indoor matches--average agg 2364 all with a CZ 457 MTR bone stock , bipod, Protektor rear bag and SK Red Rifle Match
Along the way I have been baffled with rifle barrel cleaning---as you have followed --Clean every match? Run her dirty? Wow--Cleaning threads are like stepping on a land mine!!!!
So I started running ONE dry patch after every card --no solvent down the barrel for over 1000 rounds now except what C4 was pushed down after chamber cleaning
Over the week end I shot a 2450 a couple 2400's and did ok Mid pack in a state match
The season is over---I have 14 ribbons and one trophy and a big smile on my face--have had a ball!!
I think For Me --stripping the barrel of the "seasoning" with a big clean every time is not for me at the moment--for the next testing I do I am starting clean and doing the experiment all over again---
For what its worth the winner shot all 2500's except for one 2450--He hit that barrel in his CZ with a bronze brush and One Step HARD between each and every card--I mean he went to town on it after every single card---he also had a home made rest that was like two black smith anvils--was as precision as a Nascar engine bottom end--had a trigger that would have been right at home on the Top Unlimited rifle ( I tried it ) and no doubt had pulled his MTR from many candidates at that point--But he was an Awesome guy--shared every single thing he could with us rookies--He was the spirit of welcoming and helpful like it should be
So...that is my first year---It has been wonderful fun--I have learned that I don't know much at all about this yet plan for a big year year next season with as much effort as I can manage
Thanks to all on this site for being so helpful but.... I am NEVER mentioning barrel cleaning again LOL!
When you see my scores you will know this is not bragging Hahaha..
I have just finished my first year of 22 bench rest 50 yards
Started at local "outlaw" club where factory means whatever they say it means ( and it ain't factory)
They shoot two cards I finished 6th or so on the year out of about 17 shooters--I won 1 match
Tough Crowd! They shoot a target about like ARA factory class but score it 10 per bull not 100 so two cards of 25 you can do 500--a nick is a hit so easier than ARA I won with a 500 32 X
Usually I was 497-498-15 to 25 X zone and would be mid pack--it took a 500 to be in top 3 all the time
So then late in this year we discovered ARA Factory--well OK !!! My first was 5 cards outside--wind was Tough! First card sucked then I pulled it together finished mid pack in a big field with a 2275 agg on 5 cards Did I mention the Wind?
Since then I have done 3 indoor matches--average agg 2364 all with a CZ 457 MTR bone stock , bipod, Protektor rear bag and SK Red Rifle Match
Along the way I have been baffled with rifle barrel cleaning---as you have followed --Clean every match? Run her dirty? Wow--Cleaning threads are like stepping on a land mine!!!!
So I started running ONE dry patch after every card --no solvent down the barrel for over 1000 rounds now except what C4 was pushed down after chamber cleaning
Over the week end I shot a 2450 a couple 2400's and did ok Mid pack in a state match
The season is over---I have 14 ribbons and one trophy and a big smile on my face--have had a ball!!
I think For Me --stripping the barrel of the "seasoning" with a big clean every time is not for me at the moment--for the next testing I do I am starting clean and doing the experiment all over again---
For what its worth the winner shot all 2500's except for one 2450--He hit that barrel in his CZ with a bronze brush and One Step HARD between each and every card--I mean he went to town on it after every single card---he also had a home made rest that was like two black smith anvils--was as precision as a Nascar engine bottom end--had a trigger that would have been right at home on the Top Unlimited rifle ( I tried it ) and no doubt had pulled his MTR from many candidates at that point--But he was an Awesome guy--shared every single thing he could with us rookies--He was the spirit of welcoming and helpful like it should be
So...that is my first year---It has been wonderful fun--I have learned that I don't know much at all about this yet plan for a big year year next season with as much effort as I can manage
Thanks to all on this site for being so helpful but.... I am NEVER mentioning barrel cleaning again LOL!
Attachments
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Just so you know....I've enjoyed reading this thread you started and thanks for sharing your experience.
I've never cleaned between cards but will clean my chamber/carbon ring between matches. Sometimes I will go a couple matches.
I've never used a brush of any kind in my barrel and have only used C4 and patches to remove the carbon ring followed up with an oil patch. I'm over 20,000 rounds and all is good.
Glad to see you are having fun....it's the bottom line!!
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Congrats on your first year!!
LOL....never heard it called an "outlaw" club before. It is definitely a tough crowd. Blake and his posse are a competitive bunch. Some pics from years ago when they used to shoot 4 targets and the place was less "finished"
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
here are pix of The Barn Aquadale NC just south of Albemarle and east of Charlotte---two side by side poultry buildings --11 lanes each with tunnel between--all concrete floors all the way down Tons of tables in the pits--well lighted--Excellent facility--has been around a long time but just reopened for ARA through about April is the word--See the ARA website for match info.
Nice place! Hope it is more active this coming year but so far second wkend of the month is on schedule
Pictures from member Rockingham ( above post) are of Riverside Gun Club in Richfield NC 11 benches, dirt floor
First Sat of each month is rimfire with Unlimited, Vintage, and "factory" class
The factory class is NOT factory as you may know it from other sanctioned clubs--they are allowing built rifles Well run, correctly scored but if you are factory shooter I don't know what to tell you except you will be up against some built units and yours may or probably not be accepted as legal
The jury is out on all of that hope to see clear rules for next season soon.
Nice place! Hope it is more active this coming year but so far second wkend of the month is on schedule
Pictures from member Rockingham ( above post) are of Riverside Gun Club in Richfield NC 11 benches, dirt floor
First Sat of each month is rimfire with Unlimited, Vintage, and "factory" class
The factory class is NOT factory as you may know it from other sanctioned clubs--they are allowing built rifles Well run, correctly scored but if you are factory shooter I don't know what to tell you except you will be up against some built units and yours may or probably not be accepted as legal
The jury is out on all of that hope to see clear rules for next season soon.
Attachments
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
OK here we are months later and I am crying UNCLE! I will admit that many of my observations were Wrong or at least not my final decision-- Why would I bring this back up? And maybe look like a dummy? Well...To help other new shooters --I freely admit I am a rookie--I just want to learn and at times the price to do that is not pretty Learning is not free nor without some pain
I have finally decided that starting with Squeaky Clean barrel and Keeping it that way is the best path forward.
Looking back I think I was cleaning but not as good as I thought.
I started over--and I cleaned my CZ barrel like never before--had to charge my bore scope battery several times--I mean I got it as perfect as I could --zero residue or trace of any and found...That it did take as many as 10 and most times as little as 3 fowlers to start shooting.
My scores going forward from that have not gone up much but things are more consistent ( I will blame the wind hahaha) and I just feel like I am now on a better path--
Going forward it looks like starting from very very clean I can shoot two cards easy--at around 90 rounds it likes to get cleaned again--so the task going forward is how best to Manage the rifle during a 5 or 6 card match--so far I am leaning toward a wet patch between each card
Time and targets will tell.......
I did win a 2 card match yesterday--score was not impressive but did get the ribbon
It could all boil down to a mediocre factory barrel
This is going to be a my second season fighting a 22 rimfire ( and my self ) Wish me luck!
I have finally decided that starting with Squeaky Clean barrel and Keeping it that way is the best path forward.
Looking back I think I was cleaning but not as good as I thought.
I started over--and I cleaned my CZ barrel like never before--had to charge my bore scope battery several times--I mean I got it as perfect as I could --zero residue or trace of any and found...That it did take as many as 10 and most times as little as 3 fowlers to start shooting.
My scores going forward from that have not gone up much but things are more consistent ( I will blame the wind hahaha) and I just feel like I am now on a better path--
Going forward it looks like starting from very very clean I can shoot two cards easy--at around 90 rounds it likes to get cleaned again--so the task going forward is how best to Manage the rifle during a 5 or 6 card match--so far I am leaning toward a wet patch between each card
Time and targets will tell.......
I did win a 2 card match yesterday--score was not impressive but did get the ribbon
It could all boil down to a mediocre factory barrel
This is going to be a my second season fighting a 22 rimfire ( and my self ) Wish me luck!
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CharlieNC
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm planning on trying the Barn soon and hopefully learn the ropes!
My CZ VPT is very similar, and I keep it clean and foul it in just before a match now.
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
TRSR8
Silver $$ Contributor
Well Dave, the big plus is that you have an open mind and are willing to adapt.
Really helps to not be your own adversary.
Remember though, keep it fun, it’s a long term learning process, production gun, new shooter, never ending ammo selection, lots of variables there buddy. Remember, primarily you’re shooting against yourself.
Next match is looking like October.
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
well.....The Barn had been closed for a long time---US Championships were shot there back in like 2010 or so --it used to go full throttle--So it had been sitting and Phil Dorman made a deal to shoot his ARA there during the winter months--Phil usually runs his deal from Green Sea SC--a Nice outdoor only set up. Phil and his team have been really good to us rookies--very welcoming! We hate to see it end as well--is just 7 miles from my home You will have to wait until fall to try it --Great place!
Thanks for all the experience and information that you've provided. I'll be shooting in my first ARA match in about 4 weeks. Still haven't been able to put my MTR on paper, as it's been either too windy, too cold, or both, here in Ohio. It should get a lot better from here on out. I'm hoping that the SK Rifle Match does well. The MTR has been pillar and glass bedded, and the factory trigger worked over and Trigger Shims installed. It breaks at a safe and consistent 9oz.
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