When to clean

[Dusty Stevens]

I clean after every day, assuming I have unlimited sighters the next day for the first relay. If it is only a 2 sighter on the first relay for the next day, I usually do not clean and will clean after the end of the 2-day match. I do not have enough concrete documented data telling me if this is helping me or not.

I found that my 6 dasher barrel took about 8-12 rounds from a clean to really stabilize. My 284 Shehane took about the same amount of rounds.

What I like to do is shoot 8-10 shots the day before to get a zero and my velocities. Then, it is not uncommon for me to go 2-4 sighters and go for record.

+1. That should foul any barrel properly. The 60 round to foul barrels are tomato stakes

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Bsumoba's experience mirrors mine except my Dasher only takes that many after a good scrub with JB. If I do a solvent-only clean, it takes less.

My straight 284 seems to come together in far fewer rounds. Most of the time, I'm seeing solid precision in 5 shots or soardless of cleaning method.

I also like to foul my barrels before the first string (usually the day before). On a warm day, the extra sighters trying to get the barrel together can really contribute to a very hot barrel.

 

[Warren Dean]

Lilja barrels are button rifled not cut.

I guess I had forgot that. Thank you for clearing up that little error...not that it makes any difference in the discussion.

 

[matchking]

And then I've heard not cleaning regularly will speed up barrel wear?

Actually, it may be the other way around. The most "wear" is done on those clean barrel shots.; or so I've been told by a barrel maker.

 

[czim]

Why? Just curious....

I have found that when a rifle sits unused is when things like rust and barrel pitting begin to occur. If the rifle is used regularly I do not see this happening as often in rifles bore. I think it has something to due with the residue left in the bore not having as much time to dwell cause these problems as it gets blown out with each shot. This is only in my experience and ymmv.

 

[eric n]

Ive always been in the clean at the end of day camp but now I want to see how far it will go.
Do you guys who don't clean put anything in your bore after shooting or just load and go?
Thanks

 

[rogn]

My current barrel, a Brux, will flatly not shoot until its had about 20 rounds fired. S Ive had to shoot a few ,10 or so foulers the day before the match. A long time ago I was lucky enough to get 2- 6mm hummers and in retrospect I think I ruined them by constant cleaning. Ill admit the idea of not cleaning all the time has some appeal.