When to Clean The Bore

[gilream]

When working up test loads, how often do you guys clean the bore. I like to load in 5 shot groups for my 22 PPC when testing for powder charge, seating depth etc. I've always fired a fouling shot before testing but i'm not sure at what point to stop and clean the barrel again; after 5 shots, 10 shots, 20?

Soon I'll be getting my 7 mag back with a new barrel and I'll be working up a new load for it as well. Thanks
Mike

 

[LHSmith]

I let the barrel dictate when to clean.....some guns don't seem to need a fouler, others take several shots. Some barrels can shoot a long string of shots before accuracy falls off. My one hard and fast rule is to clean the bore before switching to a different powder.

 

[Preacher]

If I'm using the same components while working up a load I don't clean until I'm finished. On the other hand if the work up has me shooting different powders or whatever, I'll clean before shooting a different powder or whatever again.....

 

[hedditch]

It is going to depend on your rifle. I shoot Danzac coated bullets. I will go to the range and group my rifles before going on a prairie dog or ground squirrel shoot and have over 300 rds down the barrels after I return. I will then go back to the range to see how the rifles are grouping before I clean them. I have not seen any noticeable difference in group size from start to finish.

 

[wwbrown]

I used to clean after every trip to the range. About two years ago I decided I was good enough at cleaning so I could quit practicing cleaning and work strictly on my shooting. I just shot a 200 - 14 x at 300 m on the international target and when I started the 20 round string I had 299 rounds down the tube since last cleaning. I will not clean the barrel yet and may shoot in a 60 round match this Sunday.

wade

 

[fdshuster]

Mike: As mentioned above, let the barrel tell you when it needs cleaned. That's one of the "tests" I usually do with a new barrel. Take it out & shoot it, 5 shot groups at 200 yd., and keep shooting 'til the groups start to open up. My hand-lapped Hart's,Shilen's, & Krieger's all seem to need a little cleaning after 20 rounds, but my factory Remington's and Savage barrel's could go as many as 60 to 80 rounds, the groups actually getting smaller as the barrels became dirtier. Guess all the reamer marks & defects in those barrels were filling up with fouling and becoming "smooth"? All barrels are different- no set number. Of course, when switching powder, again, as mentioned above, cleaning is required.

 

[Longtrain]

I clean at no more than 200 rounds, but never shoot a match with a clean bore, I need about 10 rounds for my F class rifle to settle in to it's groove.

Tony

 

[SS427]

Why is it important to clean when you switch powder? I've heard it before but never understood the dynamics of why it matters.

 

[necchi]

Good advise above,,My handis tend to like 10 down the tube to settle down, then it's good for 100-150 before it opens up. I did have a suprise when I tested Barnes TTSX, a normal fouled bore (10 shot's with plain jane jacketed) completely fouled after 35 shots.!

 

[fdshuster]

Otter: I'm no authority on powder, but have tested and compared results when switching powder, both on purpose and "accidently". Several times over the years, while working on 5 shot groups at 200 yd (my usual standard), was getting consistant sub moa groups, when suddenly the next 5 shots opened up noticeably. Could not figure out why, then checked load information on the box of 20 being used--- they had been loaded with a different powder. example: Varget previousely, then "accidently" with N135, all with 6BR, other components identical. It only takes a minimum cleaning effort (powder fouling is easy to remove, compared to copper & carbon), so for me, it's no big deal.

 

[k80skeet]

I second or third or what ever on cleaning when changing powder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a Broughton 5C in 30 caliber that shoots in one little hole if I don't clean it before changing powders group size will increase 5 or 6 times as big and it won't shoot anthing good until it has been cleaned.