I am always interested to hear what other regular shooters put in their cleaning "Gun Box" and also what routines they use.

Now don’t get me wrong I think there are reasons for 1 shot clean technique but I have heard lots of people also saying that’s complete Overkill. Keep in mind that I am an avid shooter with little time to do it so when I’m out I hate to waste time cleaning so I just plain don’t worry about it.

I have 1 day a year that I SCRUB every weapon I have but in general I only run a Bore Snake down the tube after shooting and a few pushes with the rod before they go back in the safe until my SCRUB day. Is this a common practice? Am I under Cleaning and if so is this doing long term damage to my weapon? Is what I do average?

The reason I love this site is I can get multiple answers from both sides of the fence. Some avid CLEAN FREAKS and some NEVER CLEAN FREAKS...

Let me know and also include what steps you take and what you use so that everyone can benefit from a good heated debate on what "WORKS" and what "DOESNT" and what’s "OVERKILL" and "INADEQUATE"...

Additionally has anyone considered making a subject like this a Sticky so that other interested parties might use it as a starting point to build from? I know that there are hundreds of extremely knowledgeable participants on this board and I'm sure there are 100 Beginners for every Expert also so it might be interesting to consider should a moderator think it wise.

Thanks in advance for everyone that participates...

Detail clean as required. Hoppes #9, Butch's Bore Shine and then lube with Militec1 and TW25b.

Bolt and receiver gets wiped after every session. Rifle gets pulled from the stock anytime it's been soaked.

I am starting to use the boresnake for in between real cleaning, but I need to do some cold bore confirmation before I make it a standard procedure.

I normally run a couple patches of Hoppes #9 down the barrel at about 600 rds. And make a couple passes with a brush. If i have been out in the rain ill push a patch of hoppes down the bore then dry patch it then send a little oil down the tube to prevent rust. Ill clean the raceways and lug recesses out about every 200 rds. wipe the bolt down after each range session and lube the backsides of the lugs

I like to clean whenever I feel like it. I usually let the firearm dictate that to me. I am begining to use a bore snake a little on my .22 rifles, but have yet to buy one for anything bigger. I also just recently discoverd Butch's Bore Shine. Good stuff!

My personal opinion. A boresnake is a good "carry" cleaner. And is fine to use in the field or after a day in the woods. But I don't think it should ever replace a quality cleaning rod.

I know some will say I'm crazy. But I prefer to be able to push or pull a jag or brush through the barrel.

When I go to the range for an extended day of shooting, I take a medium size tool box full of nothing but cleaning solvents and other related gear. I usually have at least 2, 42" Dewey coated rods in a carrier as well.

Could you expound on the Dewey Coated rods? Not sure I have ever heard of this and I dont want my lack of knowledge to keep me from something that works.

Search Brownells for Dewey rods. The coated version just have a vinyl coating to keep them off the bore.

Bore guides are also beneficial (Lucas is my choice).

My "Anal" cleaning session goes something like this:

Brush/Swab chamber clean
Insert bore guide
20 oz. bottle over muzzle and elevate buttstock
Brush several times back and forth with a nylon brush soaked with Hoppes #9
With a Dewey coated rod and Parker Hale jag I punch the bore with a patch soaked with Hoppes #9.
Wait a few minutes, then repeat four more times (total of 5 patches)
Punch bore with 5 dry patches.
Run swab through chamber
Wipe out receiver, wipe down bolt.
Re-lube everything.

I pull the bolt apart and wipe off the firing pin and inside of bolt every other cleaning (or if it gets really wet). If the rifle gets really wet, then I pull it out of the stock and clean the trigger assy.

Remember we aren't trying to get it spotless or to clean out all the copper. We are just getting out the big stuff that hinders accuracy. I couldn't give a crap what it looks like. I go about 500-600 rounds between cleanings.

I am now starting to pull the bore snake through once after every session to just knock out the carbon.

Great into LoneWolf. Thanks for contributing...

For precision rifles I do this at the end of each day:

Rifle in cradle
Secure optics
Insert chamber guide
Run a web brush through it 10-ish times
Wet patch until they come out clean
Run a web brush through it 10-ish times
Clean bolt (only strip bolt 1-2 times a year, “unless”)
Clean/lube action, clean chamber magazines and optics
Wet patch until they come out clean
Dry patch until they come out clean
Clean muzzle/crown

Whole operation takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.

Dewey coated rod, jags and brushes.
Shooters choice.

My technique is remarkably similar to Triad's with a few exceptions: I do my cleaning every 50-100 rounds except when the rifle gets wet....Then I do a full cleaning, no matter how many rounds have been fired..

Rifle in cradle
Secure optics
Insert chamber guide
Run a Dry bronze brush through it 10-ish times
Wet patch with Shooter's Choice until they come out clean
Dry patch until they come out clean
Wet Patch with Barnes CR-10, wait 10-15 minutes....
Dry patch until they come out clean
Clean bolt (only strip bolt 1-2 times a year, “unless”)
Clean/lube action, clean chamber magazines and optics
Clean muzzle/crown, and wipe down entire exposed barrel and action with Birchwood Casey Sheath

Whole operation takes about 20-25 minutes from start to finish, but 10-15 minutes are waiting time.

Ditto Dewey coated rod, jags and brushes.
Ditto Shooters Choice, Barnes CR-10 and Birchwood Casey Sheath.

Bob