how often does one clean a .22 bore...?

[CT10ring]

I am used to cleaning centerfire caliber rifles fairly often, certainly every time I shoot...

I have 2 auto loading .22's. T/C Benchmark 22LR & Volquartsen .22WMR. I am shooting at paper from 50 - 75 yds, for fun of it...The breech area, bolt, guide rods are pretty obviously quite dirty from ejecting the just fired brass...but what about the bore-how often does it have to be cleaned? Use a brush? I cleaned with patches/brush & TM cleaner, etc. & the next groups shot afterwards,22lr) really opened up, then began grouping smaller after 15-20 rounds thru tube. Any rule of thumb, info. I see that the SK match bullets I use are lubed/waxed, so it must protect the bore...Any particular method of cleaning recommended...? Thanx..

 

[222Rem]

Rule of thumb very rarely .Once a year or not till grouping start to diminish.

 

[Travelor]

First, use a solvent that is made for 22 RF's not centerfire guns as there is no copper jacket fouling to clean out. I use Rimfire Blend from Bore Tech at the recommendation of the BR smith that built my rifle.

Next the frequency of cleaning. This is pretty much up to your gun telling you when to clean. Some gun/ammo combo's have more tendency to form a lead/carbon ring just in front of the chamber faster than others. Watch your group sizes and the gun will tell you when to clean.

The inital groups opening after cleaning is the lube spreading from the mouth of the cartridge down the barrel. When there is a even coat of lube from the bullet down the barrel- the groups tighten up. Some guns with premium barrels get there sooner than others. My Anschutz 1712's usually need only one round to get there.

George

 

[CT10ring]

Gents, that's helpful. I feel guilty not cleaning my barrel every time I shoot, but I will get over that with the .22's. If anyone else wants to add cleaning info, it is appreciated.

 

[treeman]

CTshooter,22lr rarely need to be cleaned unless they are leading. but your 22 mag is a diffrent story. it uses more powder and will foul quicker 222rem's advice is good for this one when groups start to open up. good shooting, Treeman

 

[benchrest47]

You can take this for what its worth. I shoot ARA and clean after every card. One wet patch and then I run a brush at least 4 times,wet) then another wet and 3 or 4 dry. I have found that my guns will shoot more consistent with this cleaning regiment. I use Shooters choice lead remover.Sounds like a lot of cleaning but it works for me. Clean is better!!!!

 

[RichinKansas]

I agree with Mike. If you are looking for the utmost accuracy in a competition such as ARA, IR 50/50 etc. you must clean frequently. But this only applies if you are using the best ammo and have a very good bench gun. Not all rimfires respond the same to cleaning not even two identical bench guns. As an example, most custom barrels such as Lilja, benchmark, shilen etc. only take a couple of rounds to settle when clean. Maybe four shots and the lube is in the barrel and they start shooting. But many factory barrels may take a bunch of rounds before they get their accuracy back. That is why many don't like to clena their guns often. As far as accuracy falling off, after maybe 75 rounds a top rifle will no longer shoot .2 inch 5 groups CTC. Your factory barrel shooting 3/4 inch groups may do that well for hundreds of rounds. But they won't win any matches. Yea, you can probably tell me of some rifle that shoots .2 inch groups after 3,000 rounds. I'd have to see that. But remember this is generalities as how often to clean can vary not only from rifle to rifle but depending on what ammo you use and even what cleaning solvent.

 

[BHarvey]

After each score target in RBA,ARA,PSL, or IR5050, which is about 50 rounds. The buildup of fouling gets very hard if you don't clean it out while it's still warm.

But, each person has their own beliefs on how and when to clean a rimfire.

Who is right?

Well, you can repeat clean, but you can't repeat 'sort of' dirty.

 

[RichinKansas]

http://68.98.206.114/acgc/Articles/Articles.asp

I wrote an article for my club web site on testing a rimfire for best accuracy, how to determine when to clean etc. Not the best writing and no guaranties. It is not written for bench shooting but for somebody wanting to get the best accuracy of their sporter.

 

[tiny]

i shoot .22 prone rifle and before i start i clean the barrel then when i have finished shooting for the day i then clean it again it is a routine i have got into and it works ...... for me anyhow

 

[CT10ring]

Well, many differing views & helpful. Think I will remove bolt assy, etc. each session & clean breech etc, and leave bore alone until it begins to shoot poorly. I will try the rimfire blend, as well. Happy shooting.