squeaky clean barrel before a match

[marchx]

Does it make sense?
1. My last training before a match takes place a day before. Usually 20 rounds to make last scope adjustments. So, there is a little fouling in the barrel after that.
2. If I clean my barrel after that, next day during the match my scope adjustments are not valid anymore. There is usually 2clicks difference and in case I am not allowed sighters that means a difference between 10 and 9.
3. Isn't that the case that different match rules require a little bit diferent approach to cleaning routine before a match?
And I am not talking 200shots fouling vs clean but last training fouling vs uberclean.

 

[jelenko]

What discipline is the match in?

 

[marchx]

It's a local match with nonesense rules. No sighters and targets are smaller than f-class targets.

 

[Warren Dean]

NEVER shoot a match without at least some fouling in the barrel and then you won't have to worry about it.

 

[Shooter13]

Are your rounds counted as you fire? I'd throw 3-4 into the dirt somewhere if I cleaned the night before.

 

[marchx]

Are your rounds counted as you fire? I'd throw 3-4 into the dirt somewhere if I cleaned the night before.

you are allowed to have only permitted number of rounds with you. So, if you have 3-4 rounds more in the box and you get controlled by range officer, you get DQ. So, your idea is a good one, but cannot be applied under the specific match rules.

 

[marchx]

NEVER shoot a match without at least some fouling in the barrel and then you won't have to worry about it.

Thank you, Sir.

 

[Martin52]

......If I clean my barrel after that, next day during the match my scope adjustments are not valid anymore.

After cleaning and before shooting again try patching out any residual oil/solvent with acetone.

Then patch with 2-3 drops of Lock Ease and let dry with bore pointing down.

This generally gets the first shot in the group. May work in your case.

 

[shoobe01]

It's a local match with nonesense rules. No sighters and targets are smaller than f-class targets.

Oh, I was gonna ask this. I don't shoot 1% of the matches most of you do but every one I have been in where you need to shoot over about 200 yds they either explicitly give everyone a few minutes to fire a few rounds, or do a sort of (often secret, it's the "easy first stage") qualifier to make sure no one will be a menace AND to let everyone foul, check their gear, etc.

I assumed +/- everyone did that but shrug.

 

[Delfuego]

My barrels come back to full speed within 3-4 shots. I fully clean after every match. I have run this test with magnetospeed and lab radar. I run 6br, not sure about other calibers.

 

[BoydAllen]

The question is whether your rifle will hold accuracy if you don't clean it after your 20 round sight in. If it will, then you should not be cleaning it before the match. Another question is why does it take 20 rounds to adjust your scope, and why does it require readjustment before every match. What kind of rifle are you shooting? Has the action been bedded? Is your scope base a good fit on your action, or does it need to be bedded?

 

[Rwfish]

If your testing Prior to the match then why not clean then at the range and then fowl the barrel with a few rounds and recheck zero. Then, leave it alone till match.

 

[Dimner]

you are allowed to have only permitted number of rounds with you. So, if you have 3-4 rounds more in the box and you get controlled by range officer, you get DQ. So, your idea is a good one, but cannot be applied under the specific match rules.

This is one of those situations where people can take something that is a bunch of fun and make it no fun at all. You said it right. It's nonsense rule, offers no benefit at all and doesn't enforce anything other than inconvenience.

If I had to shoot in this type of competition (like if it's the only one available to me) I would do the following.

Spend the day before as you already mentioned. Dial in your scope to where 95% of your shots are going to land. Then let your rifle sit for 20 to 45 minutes (depending on your weather/temp). After that. Your rifle will mimic your first couple shots at the competition. Shoot two shots dead on, no hold overs. Just shoot where you have your scope set to. If you can, do this on the same targets you will be shooting tomorrow.

Take a picture and make note of the impacts. Note how many shots it takes to get back to the impact where your scope is set. Wait another 20-45 minutes. Do this a second time to verify consistency.

Now, repeat the whole process but practice hold overs on those 1-3 cold shots so they score in the X. The whole process above could be done over a few days at the range. If you had extra time, you could also see how cleaning impacted while you are waiting the 20-45 minutes.

Personally, i wouldnt clean before the match if fouling towrards the end of your round count is not an issue.

I feel your frustration, but that's about all you can do with idiots who make idiot rules.

 

[CharlieNC]

You need to do a bit of homework to understand how the first shots perform to determine the best cleaning and prep option. Until then I would clean thoroughly at the range and shoot a few foulers.

 

[Ned Ludd]

In my mind, the answer to this question boils down to whether you can arrive early and put a few rounds into the dirt to foul the barrel, either on the same range, or a different range within the facility. If so, I'd clean it thoroughly after shooting the day before. If not, I'd leave the fouling from the ~20 rounds in the barrel.

 

[marchx]

@Dimner I cannot arrive at the range earlier and train. It's a military facility and with Ukraine war around the corner security checks are crazy here. Yes, there are new types of shooting competitions which mainly aim at taking your comfort away.
@CharlieNC I cannot clean my rifle at the range. It's a local variation of f-class.
@NedLudd I cannot traing at the same range, the club has an agreement with the military limited only to holding the match there.
Thank you to everyone on this thread. The match is next weekend, so I will let you know. The mirage should be huuge.

 

[Texas Solo]

Sounds like a BS rule to me.
I clean my rifle after every use.
But I know it only takes 2 rounds to come back to zero. So I shoot 2 sighters, then 1 more to confirm. My 1st shot for score is always a 10.

 

[marchx]

The question is whether your rifle will hold accuracy if you don't clean it after your 20 round sight in. If it will, then you should not be cleaning it before the match. Another question is why does it take 20 rounds to adjust your scope, and why does it require readjustment before every match. What kind of rifle are you shooting? Has the action been bedded? Is your scope base a good fit on your action, or does it need to be bedded?

Boyd, it's the same rifle you saw me shooting on video. My training day before starts with an uberclean barrel, so 3 foulers and then 3-5 shots at every distance. During a match I am shooting 3 distances. So, confirming my scope adjustments on 3 distances is 15-20 shots in total.
No, the action is not bedded. It does not have to be in a chassis.

https://support.mdttac.com/hc/en-us/articles/360024284271-Do-I-need-to-bed-my-chassis-

 

[Dimner]

@Dimner I cannot arrive at the range earlier and train. It's a military facility and with Ukraine war around the corner security checks are crazy here. Yes, there are new types of shooting competitions which mainly aim at taking your comfort away.
@CharlieNC I cannot clean my rifle at the range. It's a local variation of f-class.
@NedLudd I cannot traing at the same range, the club has an agreement with the military limited only to holding the match there.
Thank you to everyone on this thread. The match is next weekend, so I will let you know. The mirage should be huuge.

If you can train at a different range the day before, I would go there and work with with the 20-45 minute cool down periods and practice your first 1-3 shots.

 

[CharlieNC]

F-class with no blow off round or sighters sounds pretty tough; good luck with the match.