Cleaning after shooting a few rounds?

CC268 · March 12, 2015, 07:18 PM

I haven't shot my rifle in a while and I am thinking about taking it out to the range to make sure it is still zeroed. I plan on shooting maybe 10 rounds. What sort of maintenance should I do after this? Do I need to go at the bore and clean it really well or just run an oily patch down the bore?

Thanks!

Snyper · March 12, 2015, 08:34 PM

I'd just do a patch or two with solvent, one or two dry patches, and then one oily one.

There's not much sense in scrubbing after just a few shots

NoSecondBest · March 12, 2015, 08:35 PM

Don't do anything. Just take it out and shoot it. Someone once asked Henry Ball how often he cleaned his gun and he replied, "once a year whether it needs it or not". He wasn't being literal I don't believe. His point was that they don't need to be cleaned unless they have something in them to be cleaned or they got wet or something. Shooting ten shots out of a hunting gun (or even a target gun) in itself doesn't require any cleaning.

Boncrayon · March 12, 2015, 09:08 PM

I don't clean my firearms every time I shoot. This is because I use jacketed bullets that prevents lead rounds from fouling the rifling. Of course there are two difference kinds of cleaning...one for basic bore visible action parts and finish...and the second for full take down, cleaning and oiling. Some say the more you take your firearm completely apart, the more wear and tear the parts receive from such repeated action.

I prefer to take open the action, swab the chamber and bore, and spray a solvent/lubricant over all and into crevices, and wipe down the the visible oil I see left behind. I'm a fan of Ballistol for this process because it emulsifies all moisture or weather water to prevent rust.

Big Shrek · March 12, 2015, 10:00 PM

The only caveat to the above is HUMIDITY.

If you live in a swampy area like Louisianna or Florida, clean & oil after shooting, always.
What happens inside & outside can be scary...I've seen green mold grow from fingerprints after two weeks.

If you don't have to worry about humidity, once a year

Nowadays the rule in my house is to wipe down with an oiled rag after handling.
Saves me grief...

green_MTman · March 13, 2015, 02:15 AM

2 answers

1.it would be idealy best to clean after each shooting

2.like most people you likely dont have time,so as long as the gun shoots straight the world wont end if you dont clean it for a while.

upstate81 · March 13, 2015, 05:24 AM

Im in the few times a year category. Unless im hunting in the rain or some such. On the other hand, rimfires could go YEARS between deep cleans.

Just plain dont need it.

cw308 · March 13, 2015, 08:04 AM

I clean after shooting. Only way to keep your rifle in the best condition. For that matter why change the oil in your car, just add when needed & see where that gets you. Would you buy a used gun if it wasn't clean, I don't think so.

NoSecondBest · March 13, 2015, 08:16 AM

Quote:

I clean after shooting. Only way to keep your rifle in the best condition. For that matter why change to oil in your car, just add when needed & see where that gets you. Would you buy a used gun if it wasn't clean, I don't think so.

Using that logic, I'd be changing the oil in my car every time I drove it.

Doyle · March 13, 2015, 08:31 AM

No need to clean the bore. If you feel really bad about it, run one dry patch down it and you're done. The chamber and outside can be wiped down with a rag moistened with a little CLP.

oldmanFCSA · March 13, 2015, 09:23 AM

I shoot solid brass bore-riders in my target rifle and only clean it after about 200-250 rounds. Copper projectiles require more frequent cleaning. Proper break-in of barrel helps to "smooth" a barrel for less fouling, a quality barrel minimizes the work required to prep a barrel for competition..

AirForceShooter · March 13, 2015, 09:38 AM

Wipe down the outside

AFS

jmr40 · March 13, 2015, 05:58 PM

It takes 6-10 shots through a clean barrel before things settle down and you start getting best accuracy. You don't start losing accuracy until it gets pretty dirty. That varies with rifles, but I usually go at least 100 rounds between cleaning the barrel. And 200 or more may not hurt a thing with most rifles. If accuracy starts to drop off, then it is time to clean.

I shoot a lot in summer months in preparation for hunting season. A few weeks before the season the barrels get a good cleaning. Then back to the range for about a dozen shots to check things. I wouldn't dream of touching the barrel again until after hunting season.

I'll clean the interior of the action and wipe down the exterior, but the bore gets cleaned sparingly. Been using this routine for 40 years with no rust or other issues with the barrel.

tdoyka · March 13, 2015, 11:33 PM

i used to clean every gun inside and out. i was corrupted by my dad and the army, a clean weapon is a happy weapon. i did this for 20 some years. i started hearing rumors about this guy and that guy that didn't clean their gun until accuracy started suffering. then they cleaned it.
i heared and i listened. i use cast boolits in the 444 marlin, 30-40 krag, and the 45-70 and jacketed in the 20 vartarg and 22-250 ai. i end up cleaning them about once a year. usually in the spring for the deer calibers and late fall for the varmint calibers.
i hate cleaning guns. but i do so luv to shoot them!!!

Fjblair · March 21, 2015, 12:39 AM

Im in the few times a year category. Unless im hunting in the rain or some such. On the other hand, rimfires could go YEARS between deep cleans. Just plain dont need it.

Mostly this. The gun really is getting little benefit by freak cleaning but It makes a lot of shooters something to do and makes them feel better about their rig. Nothing wrong with either approach and both approaches soothe the gun owner's philosophy. Imagine that.

Quoted for the truth. The reality is that guns do not need frequent cleaning but many gun owners over clean because it makes them fell better. Either is fine. Just shoot.

Dr. Strangelove · March 21, 2015, 02:23 AM

Quote:

I haven't shot my rifle in a while and I am thinking about taking it out to the range to make sure it is still zeroed. I plan on shooting maybe 10 rounds. What sort of maintenance should I do after this? Do I need to go at the bore and clean it really well or just run an oily patch down the bore?

This is very much how I used to shoot, and I'd deep clean every time.

Now I'd just run an oily patch down the bore, wipe the rifle down, and be done. I agree with whoever said above that incessant take downs and cleaning just add wear.

Huffmanite · March 22, 2015, 02:03 PM

I regularly go to the range to shoot, usually 2 days a week. Often take several rifles and shoot 12-16 rounds with each one.

When I return home, usually run a couple of wet patches with bore cleaner, let soak for 10-15 minutes and then dry patch with final patch having oil on it. Sometimes use a nylon brush in the bore and every once in awhile I'll use a bronze brush, but am never aggressive with the bronze brush.

Do I think this is absolutely necessary.....nope! Just like to do it and be able to spot any copper fouling building up in a bore.

skizzums · March 22, 2015, 02:41 PM

I love bore-snakes. bring it to the range, give it a couple "ropes" down the barrel before I leave. good to go. I do like to keep trigger assemblies clean and well oiled. none is probably necessary, but if I don't clean a gun after shooting it a good bit, it just "bugs" me all day

Picher · March 27, 2015, 03:40 AM

You may not need to clean it, but run a patch through with protectant like Break-Free CLP. Then, run a dry patch through it before taking it to the range.

I ruined a varmint rifle barrel because it sat in a closet for a few months without cleaning. That's why I have so many stainless barrels these days, but I still clean them...gently, with a bore guide, and always from the breech.

Brotherbadger · March 27, 2015, 07:27 AM

Quote:

I clean after shooting. Only way to keep your rifle in the best condition. For that matter why change the oil in your car, just add when needed & see where that gets you.

That analogy uses false equivalence. By your logic, you must change your oil, transmission fluid, radiator fluid, ect. every time you drive. After all, that would keep your car in the best condition. Now, in reality, you don't do that. You do it when it needs to get done. A rifle doesn't need to be cleaned every time it's shot. Groups might start to open up after 500-700 rounds, but unless you live in a very humid area there's no need for that high level of maintenance.

cw308 · March 27, 2015, 10:11 AM

If not cleaning your rifle floates your boat fine. I don't scrub the heck out of the rifle, but for me & maybe only me, If you properly clean your rifle after shooting, I feel it's best to have a well maintained rifle. I don't mine cleaning the rifle, I think the ones that get around not cleaning, don't really like to. To just wait until accuracy drops off to clean doesn't seem to good for the barrel. Sorry guys I guess I'm just one of thoes clean freaks.

emcon5 · March 27, 2015, 04:58 PM

Quote:

I feel it's best to have a well maintained rifle

I feel "well maintained" means shoots as good and constantly as possible from the first shot, not the 6th or 7th after a cleaning.

The oil change analogy is excellent. You don't change you oil every time you drive, you change it when you need to.

bamaranger · March 27, 2015, 08:09 PM

I've become a big fan of the bore snake for quick clean/lube. Couple of pull throughs with a tad of juice of your choice and done.

If a rifle is out in wet and or humid much,, kept in the truck, somewhat neglected, as in our 2-1/2 month gun deer season, you will have rust almost guaranteed, especially at muzzle, without bit of attention to the bore now and then. I've seen it in too many used guns. The Snake is good for that too.

Bart B. · March 28, 2015, 08:02 AM

"Clean" means different things to different people; it ranges from a "shiny, clean looking" bore to a bore with virtually all fouling removed.

Proper cleaning techniques done every 10 shots will not harm a barrel. Improper cleaning techniques done every 100 shots will ruin a barrel.

Some people can detect a reduction in accuracy with their stuff after 20 to 30 rounds; others cannot. Those that do will clean their bores often to maintain the accuracy level they want and can get.

There's more theories about bore maintenance than facts; a few of those theories are facts. The ratio of bore cleaning facts to theory is about the same as those about reloading and load development.

603Country · March 28, 2015, 09:16 AM

I have what you might call "active" and "inactive" rifles. The active ones only get cleaned when I see, or think I see, a reduction in accuracy. The inactive ones don't get shot much, and if they are going to sit in the safe for 6 months or a year before the next use, then I'll do a light cleaning of the barrel after I shoot it.

I was a big fan of cleaning barrels until I inherited my Dad's well used and well worn Ruger Ultralight 270. Dad, to the best of my knowledge, never in his lifetime cleaned a bore. Every couple of years I'd clean the bore on the 270, if I thought about it. When he passed, and I got the rifle, I thought it might be good to clean the bore and just see what awful condition it must be in. All those years of hunting in the rain must have done a job on the bore, or so I thought. There was still a good bit of mud caked on the outside of the rifle, and who knows how long it had been there. But the bore was fine. No pits that I could find. So I cleaned it real well, loaded up some 140 gr Sierra HPBT bullets over H4831, and proceeded to shoot little 3 shot groups again and again. The rifle is a tack driver. So now I don't worry as much about bore cleaning.

March 12, 2015, 07:18 PM	#1
CC268 Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2013 Posts: 161	Cleaning after shooting a few rounds? I haven't shot my rifle in a while and I am thinking about taking it out to the range to make sure it is still zeroed. I plan on shooting maybe 10 rounds. What sort of maintenance should I do after this? Do I need to go at the bore and clean it really well or just run an oily patch down the bore? Thanks!

March 12, 2015, 08:34 PM	#2
Snyper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 3,047	I'd just do a patch or two with solvent, one or two dry patches, and then one oily one. There's not much sense in scrubbing after just a few shots __________________ One shot, one kill

March 12, 2015, 09:08 PM	#4
Boncrayon Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Posts: 920	Cleaning after shooting a few rounds? I don't clean my firearms every time I shoot. This is because I use jacketed bullets that prevents lead rounds from fouling the rifling. Of course there are two difference kinds of cleaning...one for basic bore visible action parts and finish...and the second for full take down, cleaning and oiling. Some say the more you take your firearm completely apart, the more wear and tear the parts receive from such repeated action. I prefer to take open the action, swab the chamber and bore, and spray a solvent/lubricant over all and into crevices, and wipe down the the visible oil I see left behind. I'm a fan of Ballistol for this process because it emulsifies all moisture or weather water to prevent rust.

March 12, 2015, 10:00 PM	#5
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	The only caveat to the above is HUMIDITY. If you live in a swampy area like Louisianna or Florida, clean & oil after shooting, always. What happens inside & outside can be scary...I've seen green mold grow from fingerprints after two weeks. If you don't have to worry about humidity, once a year Nowadays the rule in my house is to wipe down with an oiled rag after handling. Saves me grief... __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

March 13, 2015, 08:04 AM	#8
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	I clean after shooting. Only way to keep your rifle in the best condition. For that matter why change the oil in your car, just add when needed & see where that gets you. Would you buy a used gun if it wasn't clean, I don't think so. Last edited by cw308; March 13, 2015 at 02:08 PM.

March 12, 2015, 08:35 PM	#3
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	Don't do anything. Just take it out and shoot it. Someone once asked Henry Ball how often he cleaned his gun and he replied, "once a year whether it needs it or not". He wasn't being literal I don't believe. His point was that they don't need to be cleaned unless they have something in them to be cleaned or they got wet or something. Shooting ten shots out of a hunting gun (or even a target gun) in itself doesn't require any cleaning.

March 13, 2015, 02:15 AM	#6
green_MTman Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2014 Location: southeastern Vermont,USA Posts: 325	2 answers 1.it would be idealy best to clean after each shooting 2.like most people you likely dont have time,so as long as the gun shoots straight the world wont end if you dont clean it for a while.

March 13, 2015, 05:24 AM	#7
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	Im in the few times a year category. Unless im hunting in the rain or some such. On the other hand, rimfires could go YEARS between deep cleans. Just plain dont need it.

March 13, 2015, 08:31 AM	#10
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	No need to clean the bore. If you feel really bad about it, run one dry patch down it and you're done. The chamber and outside can be wiped down with a rag moistened with a little CLP.

March 13, 2015, 09:23 AM	#11
oldmanFCSA Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Location: WISCONSIN Posts: 283	I shoot solid brass bore-riders in my target rifle and only clean it after about 200-250 rounds. Copper projectiles require more frequent cleaning. Proper break-in of barrel helps to "smooth" a barrel for less fouling, a quality barrel minimizes the work required to prep a barrel for competition.. __________________ OldmanFCSA = "Oldman" at www.fcsa.org FCSA Member, SCSA Member, NRA Member, & AMA Member "Oldage & Treachery will overcome Youth & Skill" Last edited by oldmanFCSA; March 13, 2015 at 09:30 AM.

March 13, 2015, 09:38 AM	#12
AirForceShooter Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: Sarasota (sort of) Florida Posts: 1,296	Wipe down the outside AFS __________________ 'Qui tacet consentit': To remain silent is to consent.

March 13, 2015, 05:58 PM	#13
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	It takes 6-10 shots through a clean barrel before things settle down and you start getting best accuracy. You don't start losing accuracy until it gets pretty dirty. That varies with rifles, but I usually go at least 100 rounds between cleaning the barrel. And 200 or more may not hurt a thing with most rifles. If accuracy starts to drop off, then it is time to clean. I shoot a lot in summer months in preparation for hunting season. A few weeks before the season the barrels get a good cleaning. Then back to the range for about a dozen shots to check things. I wouldn't dream of touching the barrel again until after hunting season. I'll clean the interior of the action and wipe down the exterior, but the bore gets cleaned sparingly. Been using this routine for 40 years with no rust or other issues with the barrel.

March 13, 2015, 11:33 PM	#14
tdoyka Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2013 Location: windber, pa Posts: 300	i used to clean every gun inside and out. i was corrupted by my dad and the army, a clean weapon is a happy weapon. i did this for 20 some years. i started hearing rumors about this guy and that guy that didn't clean their gun until accuracy started suffering. then they cleaned it. i heared and i listened. i use cast boolits in the 444 marlin, 30-40 krag, and the 45-70 and jacketed in the 20 vartarg and 22-250 ai. i end up cleaning them about once a year. usually in the spring for the deer calibers and late fall for the varmint calibers. i hate cleaning guns. but i do so luv to shoot them!!!

March 21, 2015, 12:39 AM	#15
Fjblair Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Posts: 53	Im in the few times a year category. Unless im hunting in the rain or some such. On the other hand, rimfires could go YEARS between deep cleans. Just plain dont need it. Mostly this. The gun really is getting little benefit by freak cleaning but It makes a lot of shooters something to do and makes them feel better about their rig. Nothing wrong with either approach and both approaches soothe the gun owner's philosophy. Imagine that. Quoted for the truth. The reality is that guns do not need frequent cleaning but many gun owners over clean because it makes them fell better. Either is fine. Just shoot. Last edited by Fjblair; March 23, 2015 at 11:38 AM.

March 22, 2015, 02:03 PM	#17
Huffmanite Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2006 Location: Northeast of Houston, Tx Posts: 393	I regularly go to the range to shoot, usually 2 days a week. Often take several rifles and shoot 12-16 rounds with each one. When I return home, usually run a couple of wet patches with bore cleaner, let soak for 10-15 minutes and then dry patch with final patch having oil on it. Sometimes use a nylon brush in the bore and every once in awhile I'll use a bronze brush, but am never aggressive with the bronze brush. Do I think this is absolutely necessary.....nope! Just like to do it and be able to spot any copper fouling building up in a bore.

March 22, 2015, 02:41 PM	#18
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	I love bore-snakes. bring it to the range, give it a couple "ropes" down the barrel before I leave. good to go. I do like to keep trigger assemblies clean and well oiled. none is probably necessary, but if I don't clean a gun after shooting it a good bit, it just "bugs" me all day __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

March 27, 2015, 03:40 AM	#19
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	You may not need to clean it, but run a patch through with protectant like Break-Free CLP. Then, run a dry patch through it before taking it to the range. I ruined a varmint rifle barrel because it sat in a closet for a few months without cleaning. That's why I have so many stainless barrels these days, but I still clean them...gently, with a bore guide, and always from the breech.

March 27, 2015, 10:11 AM	#21
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	If not cleaning your rifle floates your boat fine. I don't scrub the heck out of the rifle, but for me & maybe only me, If you properly clean your rifle after shooting, I feel it's best to have a well maintained rifle. I don't mine cleaning the rifle, I think the ones that get around not cleaning, don't really like to. To just wait until accuracy drops off to clean doesn't seem to good for the barrel. Sorry guys I guess I'm just one of thoes clean freaks.

March 27, 2015, 08:09 PM	#23
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	snake I've become a big fan of the bore snake for quick clean/lube. Couple of pull throughs with a tad of juice of your choice and done. If a rifle is out in wet and or humid much,, kept in the truck, somewhat neglected, as in our 2-1/2 month gun deer season, you will have rust almost guaranteed, especially at muzzle, without bit of attention to the bore now and then. I've seen it in too many used guns. The Snake is good for that too.

March 28, 2015, 08:02 AM	#24
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	"Clean" means different things to different people; it ranges from a "shiny, clean looking" bore to a bore with virtually all fouling removed. Proper cleaning techniques done every 10 shots will not harm a barrel. Improper cleaning techniques done every 100 shots will ruin a barrel. Some people can detect a reduction in accuracy with their stuff after 20 to 30 rounds; others cannot. Those that do will clean their bores often to maintain the accuracy level they want and can get. There's more theories about bore maintenance than facts; a few of those theories are facts. The ratio of bore cleaning facts to theory is about the same as those about reloading and load development.

March 28, 2015, 09:16 AM	#25
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I have what you might call "active" and "inactive" rifles. The active ones only get cleaned when I see, or think I see, a reduction in accuracy. The inactive ones don't get shot much, and if they are going to sit in the safe for 6 months or a year before the next use, then I'll do a light cleaning of the barrel after I shoot it. I was a big fan of cleaning barrels until I inherited my Dad's well used and well worn Ruger Ultralight 270. Dad, to the best of my knowledge, never in his lifetime cleaned a bore. Every couple of years I'd clean the bore on the 270, if I thought about it. When he passed, and I got the rifle, I thought it might be good to clean the bore and just see what awful condition it must be in. All those years of hunting in the rain must have done a job on the bore, or so I thought. There was still a good bit of mud caked on the outside of the rifle, and who knows how long it had been there. But the bore was fine. No pits that I could find. So I cleaned it real well, loaded up some 140 gr Sierra HPBT bullets over H4831, and proceeded to shoot little 3 shot groups again and again. The rifle is a tack driver. So now I don't worry as much about bore cleaning.