Cleaning .17 HMR for Best Accuracy?

[Buck Wilde]

How often should I clean a .17 HMR barrel if I want top accuracy?

It's amazing how complex shooting is. A year ago, I had no idea different calibers responded differently to cleaning. I took a class this year, and my instructor said he didn't clean his 6.5 Creedmoor barrel until the groups started opening up. He said he had cleaned it about three times. Now I'm hearing that .17 HMR should be cleaned very often, like once per box or even more frequently.

What's the deal?

Also, if I start cleaning it during shooting sessions, will a Boresnake be enough to restore accuracy, or do I need to take something like a jag?

 

[Kisssofdeath]

For me, I prefer to not let the copper fouling sit. Everyone is different. I say do what works best for you and what you have confidence in.

 

[justin amateur]

Buck, I clean when a crust ring forms at the muzzle.
That's usually about 200 to 250 shots fired.
The crust is an irregular shaped deposit formed by condensing moisture
and burnt/unburnt primer/powder residue. It affects accuracy
by changing how pressure releases as the bullet exits.
Uneven pressure release causes bullet tipping and trajectory shifts.

 

[Buck Wilde]

Now I have to go look at my muzzle.

 

[Buck Wilde]

I took a look at my muzzle, and it was nasty. I'm amazed that it shot as well as it did.

I have never heard of this problem before. Trying to get the crud off with Eliminator, Q-Tips, and my fingernails. If you have a method to recommend, I would love to hear it.

 

[justin amateur]

Hoppes 9 and a q-tip or patch, let it soak.

 

[Buck Wilde]

I just learned that my fancy Tipton bore guide will not fit a Savage 93R. Nothing is simple.

The crust is gone. Happy about that. Is this problem peculiar to .17 HMR? I have never seen it on other muzzles.

 

[justin amateur]

All my magnum rimfire show it.
No big deal, clean when needed.

 

[Buck Wilde]

I really appreciate the tip. That stuff was like rock.

 

[JimTN]

This works pretty well on a 93R 17hmr

Bore Guide For The 17hmr Rifle... | RVB Precision

PROPER 17HMR BORE GUIDE! When Hornady developed the 17HMR rimfire cartridge, they really hit a home-run! And the rifle manufacturers turned out a plethora of rifles to chamber it. But unlike the 22RF cartridge, which many seasoned shooters will tell you, might never need to have the bore...

rvbprecision.com

 

[~JM~]

Here are a couple of replies I received on a similar type of question. The PDF below is fairly detailed. 17 caliber info on page 40.

I shoot competitive bullseye and used to run a team, still associated with the team but...........anyways.........

I shoot a lot of rimfire every year. A real lot. Plus I assist newbies getting their guns ready for competition and have cleaned many a neglected firearm.

First off, when I get a new to me used firearm, the first thing I do is plug the barrel and fill it up with bore tech rimfire blend and let it set.

dump it and run a couple patches through the barrel.

Then I will take a can of aerosol wipe out and use that on the barrel. It foams up and you let it set for half a hour or so, what ever it says on the can.

You would be amazed at the amount of gunk that will come out of neglected rimfire barrels!

At this time, the bore should be down to bare metal and I clean it with one of the high tech cleaner, lubricant, protectant wonder fluids. Personally I like Ezzox and a local product called Gunzilla. I also have and use a product from Anschutz called a ceramic CLP. They are all pretty darn good from what I have seen. Anyways, when using these products, I swear that the microscopic atoms penetrate into the metal of the bore and make them super easy to clean next time. The more often you use them, the less patches is required to clean the bore. Couple patches is all that is needed once the bore is seasoned.

Recently, Pardini USA has started carrying Iosso products. I am going to ask Pardini about Iosso stuff when it comes time to resupply.

As for rods, I have a bunch of dewey pistol length rods that I use on my pistols. Keep the patch on the end and replace it when necessary. for my rifles I use a patchworm. I have a couple of brushes in my cleaning box but it has been a while since I have used those.

the patchworm seams easier to use on the rifles, the pistol rods are more convenient for my pistols.

 

[FALex]

I had just a hair over 3000 rounds through my Marlin 917VT before she started acting up. That rifle is one of my favorites. Extremely accurate and the caliber itself is an absolute blast on varmints.