Re: cleaning the barrell
There is a difference between semi auto and bolt. My bolt action rifles get a wipe through wioth a powder solvent, then a few dry patches and then put away until I notice the groups ain't what they should be.
With the Semi Auto's, I clean after every use- primarily because I grew up with and still use an F.N. FAL and if you do not clean the gas parts, let things set and then shoot again, it isn't long before a) the gun stops & b) it is darn near impossible to clean the piston without sand paper!