How Many Patches Used When Cleaning Your Rifle?

[CJ6]

Ouch! Hope she uses a bore guide.

Doubtful

 

[JMayo]

((( a handful of "slightly" dirty, that will get used for the crud push next time ))) You guys crazzy ?? a dirty patch never goes down my barrel .

Lol ! I'm not washing the china !
I'm cleaning the grill

 

[ArtinNC]

Lol ! I'm not washing the china !
I'm cleaning the grill

A dirty patch with carbon on it , never in my barrel . And Every time that I take the rod out of the barrel, I wipe it off before reinserting it.

 

[rwj]

A dirty patch with carbon on it , never in my barrel .

Though I understand the sentiment, what are your thoughts when firing an interference fit bullet at over 2500 FPS down a barrel coated with burnt carbon?

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Not looking for product subjections or how you do it, just how many patches you use.....thanks for playing

If you know how many, you’re doing it wrong, and we can’t be friends.

 

[JMayo]

I've seen what seems like a bag full on a table of lightly used patches...... I picked up a handful !

 

[M-61]

For me if I started counting patches, I would figure I’m in the wrong sport.

 

[Steve Donlon]

It varies depending on bore size/volume and powder capacities. My .223 shooting 90gr VLD’s takes a lot of patches and brushing (and occasionally an abrasive for hard carbon) to get respectably clean. Whereas something like a premium match grade 3 groove such as a Lilja 3G in .308 will normally clean up in just a few patches as they seem to not accumulate much fouling. The little they do foul is easily removed due to fewer corners for carbon to hide in.

It also depends on barrel hygiene/frequency of cleaning and how throrough you may or may not be when you clean a bore. If you subscribe to the mantra of “I clean when the rifle tells me I should”…aka when rifle begins grouping like buckshot, then expect a chore of a cleaning job just to make a dent in the copious amount and tenacious nature of carbon that is allowed to build and harden over time.

Inversely, if you clean reasonably well each and every time after you finish shooting for that day (and while barrel is still warm) then naturally fewer patches will be necessary. Just my experience. YMMV.

No doubt about those long 223 bullets. They are a chore.

 

[Dolomite]

I find that 5r barrels clean up very easy. Everyone has their own cleaning method so your mileage may vary.

 

[D Coots]

sooooooo

it is that time of year to order .............patches


how many are you going to order?? a couple hundred or ....

I used all my patches when covid came along and I couldn't buy TP.....Priorities

 

[Bc'z]

I used all my patches when covid came along and I couldn't buy TP.....Priorities

2" rounds or square??
Ain't no way a 1.25" 6mm patch gettin that job done..

 

[jelenko]

2" rounds or square??
Ain't no way a 1.25" 6mm patch gettin that job done..

It's called precision patching.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Does covid patching require a bore guide, just asking?

 

[ArtinNC]

Though I understand the sentiment, what are your thoughts when firing an interference fit bullet at over 2500 FPS down a barrel coated with burnt carbon?

If there was a way around it , I would do it . Why don't you thru the patches on the ground then run them down the barrel the dirt will help get the carbon out of your barrel . LOL LOL You use dirty patches why use a bore guild ? or a new cleaning rod ?

 

[jelenko]

Well, the patch is dirty the moment it enters the barrel and gets dirtier as it goes down the bore.

 

[rwj]

If there was a way around it , I would do it .

Why not clean the bore after each shot?

 

[JumboSammich]

I use about half as many as I used to when I quit using CFE 223 and Varget.

 

[DeerHunter82]

I use patches until they come out clean. It’s usually quite a few.

 

[Sandstorm]

using CFE 223 and Varget.

Yup..real dirty stuff, but man they fly so well.....my 6.5x47 target loves Varget,
clean up ....not so much..