Cleaning a .22

[60723]

I might have missed this in previous posts. I shoot only Eley ammo in a Vudoo and a Kidd. The only thing I have seen is from Eley. It said to soak the carbon ring with C4 and brush the ring area. Then 1 patch down barrel and then dry patches. I am fairly new to .22 Benchrest. What is current thinking on this? Should I be cleaning more like my center fire rifles?

 

[jpx2rk]

Cleaning routines have been discussed numerous times, and it all comes down to what works for you, your gun(s) and the results on target. If you don't have a bore scope, then you will never know if you have a carbon ring or not, or if your cleaning process is working, or not.

I have a V22-s, and if shooting Eley Black Box, a carbon ring starts to form very quickly. I usually soak the ring area in between cards but not always. I usually just push two wet patches thru, the first to take the mud/crud out, and the 2nd is usually just slightly dirty/gray colored. I usually scrub the ring area with the 2nd wet patch with a careful back & forth motion before pushing the 2nd wet patch all the way to the muzzle. Then I push 2 dry patches thru, dry the chamber area and I'm ready.

If shooting CX, I seldom if ever have a carbon ring, after a match.

This routine holds true for both the V22-s and the Turbo V1, both with Shilen RO barrels.

 

[houligan]

Any ideas why the Eley starts to form the ring early on? Is it just the black box Eley or does it do it with Tenex as well? How about SK ammo.

 

[Tim Slater]

Is it just the black box Eley or does it do it with Tenex as well?

As far as I'm aware Match and Tenex share components, so should behave in the same way.

 

[JMayo]

I Clean mine like i clean a CF.

 

[jpx2rk]

Any ideas why the Eley starts to form the ring early on? Is it just the black box Eley or does it do it with Tenex as well? How about SK ammo.

I'm a bit suspicious that it's the combo of lube and powder mix Eley uses, but nothing concrete, JMO. I've shot maybe one full box of 10x in either of my guns so can't say.

SK level ammo has not formed the carbon ring but I only use it for foulers when shooting CX.

 

[TRSR8]

Any ideas why the Eley starts to form the ring early on? Is it just the black box Eley or does it do it with Tenex as well? How about SK ammo.

It’s not that it’s early, Lapua is simply longer.
ELEY slug base is unlubed so it’s bare lead that expands hard into throat….. grabs fouling.