How often should a barrel be cleaned with wire bore brush? I know there are many variables but in general. I clean mine after every shooting session, is this too much?
Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
- Thread starter komifornian
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Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
One of our very own members can be quoted as saying "Cleaning a barrel before accuracy drops off is equivalent to wiping your ass before you shit."
This is generally considered good advise.
One of our very own members can be quoted as saying "Cleaning a barrel before accuracy drops off is equivalent to wiping your ass before you shit."
This is generally considered good advise.
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
Hmm - that's interesting, I was taught that a clean rifle is an accurate rifle. I guess he was wrong. I do know however that a clean ass smells better
Hmm - that's interesting, I was taught that a clean rifle is an accurate rifle. I guess he was wrong. I do know however that a clean ass smells better
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
When you say a wire brush, I assume you mean a bronze bore brush and not one of the stainless steel brushes, as I do not consider the stainless steel ones suitable for anything other than something like a chrome lined bore.
It also depends on your barrel - if you have something like a premium stainless barrel (Krieger, Bartlein, Brux, etc.) then going easier rather than harder is the order of the day because the internal finish of the bore on them is such you do not need much brushing.
I pretty much clean and brush after every range session but I do not brush a lot and I am very careful coming back through the crown area. Some do not like pulling a brush back through the crown, but I find it a pain (with some laziness built in there) to take the brush off each time, so I pull it back.
I guess the answer is, don't be afraid to use the brush, but keep it good and wet with solvent and you typically don't need to brush a lot.
Just my opinions on the matter for what they are worth.
When you say a wire brush, I assume you mean a bronze bore brush and not one of the stainless steel brushes, as I do not consider the stainless steel ones suitable for anything other than something like a chrome lined bore.
It also depends on your barrel - if you have something like a premium stainless barrel (Krieger, Bartlein, Brux, etc.) then going easier rather than harder is the order of the day because the internal finish of the bore on them is such you do not need much brushing.
I pretty much clean and brush after every range session but I do not brush a lot and I am very careful coming back through the crown area. Some do not like pulling a brush back through the crown, but I find it a pain (with some laziness built in there) to take the brush off each time, so I pull it back.
I guess the answer is, don't be afraid to use the brush, but keep it good and wet with solvent and you typically don't need to brush a lot.
Just my opinions on the matter for what they are worth.
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
There are a few other current threads on here about cleaning.
The response you got here is about the same you will se other places.
I will add that if I will not be shooting a rifle for an decent amount of time I will clean it before it is stored.
There are a few other current threads on here about cleaning.
The response you got here is about the same you will se other places.
I will add that if I will not be shooting a rifle for an decent amount of time I will clean it before it is stored.
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
I did not seen any added benefit to cleaning after every session except that it took away from time that I could be shooting more or doing something else. Likewise, I have not seen any change in accuracy by not cleaning all the time. In fact, I think sometimes it helps accuracy by not cleaning. One of my 308 bolts guns is at 600 rounds currently with no cleaning and the other is somewhere around 1200. They are both shooting great. In fact, trip before last, the one with 600 rounds on it now put 4 of 5 rounds in the same hole at 100yds. When accuracy falls off, then I will clean them. I am experimenting with the one with 1200ish rounds down it right now just to see how long it will maintain accuracy before I clean it.
I would try cleaning with a nylon brush before you start running a wire brush through the bore. I don't think that is going to do the bore any favors.
I did not seen any added benefit to cleaning after every session except that it took away from time that I could be shooting more or doing something else. Likewise, I have not seen any change in accuracy by not cleaning all the time. In fact, I think sometimes it helps accuracy by not cleaning. One of my 308 bolts guns is at 600 rounds currently with no cleaning and the other is somewhere around 1200. They are both shooting great. In fact, trip before last, the one with 600 rounds on it now put 4 of 5 rounds in the same hole at 100yds. When accuracy falls off, then I will clean them. I am experimenting with the one with 1200ish rounds down it right now just to see how long it will maintain accuracy before I clean it.
I would try cleaning with a nylon brush before you start running a wire brush through the bore. I don't think that is going to do the bore any favors.
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Oodin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One of our very own members can be quoted as saying "Cleaning a barrel before accuracy drops off is equivalent to wiping your ass before you shit."
This is generally considered good advise. </div></div>
Maybe I do not understand the logic there, since with some of the matches I have shot, if you drop one point on the day you can lose the match and aggregate for the day (been there, done that) so I am generally going to employ a cleaning routine that keeps my rifle where I feel it's 100% and not wait until it drops off and I lose in order to clean it.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Oodin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One of our very own members can be quoted as saying "Cleaning a barrel before accuracy drops off is equivalent to wiping your ass before you shit."
This is generally considered good advise. </div></div>
Maybe I do not understand the logic there, since with some of the matches I have shot, if you drop one point on the day you can lose the match and aggregate for the day (been there, done that) so I am generally going to employ a cleaning routine that keeps my rifle where I feel it's 100% and not wait until it drops off and I lose in order to clean it.
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rcw3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Oodin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One of our very own members can be quoted as saying "Cleaning a barrel before accuracy drops off is equivalent to wiping your ass before you shit."
This is generally considered good advise. </div></div>
Maybe I do not understand the logic there, since with some of the matches I have shot, if you drop one point on the day you can lose the match and aggregate for the day (been there, done that) so I am generally going to employ a cleaning routine that keeps my rifle where I feel it's 100% and not wait until it drops off and I lose in order to clean it. </div></div>
I understand what you are saying but...
A good DOPE/Log Book can help you track when you need to clean your rifle. Lets just say it starts dropping accuracy at 500 rnds. Note this, and mark on your round count page when you clean.
Your prepping for a comp and you notice your current round count is 440. Well then clean before your comp and you can still have time to give the rifle some rounds so it will settle.
This allows you to go into a comp in the rifles sweet spot.
Just an option. One I enjoy.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rcw3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Oodin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One of our very own members can be quoted as saying "Cleaning a barrel before accuracy drops off is equivalent to wiping your ass before you shit."
This is generally considered good advise. </div></div>
Maybe I do not understand the logic there, since with some of the matches I have shot, if you drop one point on the day you can lose the match and aggregate for the day (been there, done that) so I am generally going to employ a cleaning routine that keeps my rifle where I feel it's 100% and not wait until it drops off and I lose in order to clean it. </div></div>
I understand what you are saying but...
A good DOPE/Log Book can help you track when you need to clean your rifle. Lets just say it starts dropping accuracy at 500 rnds. Note this, and mark on your round count page when you clean.
Your prepping for a comp and you notice your current round count is 440. Well then clean before your comp and you can still have time to give the rifle some rounds so it will settle.
This allows you to go into a comp in the rifles sweet spot.
Just an option. One I enjoy.
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
I cannot say I have ever found rifle barrels to be predictable as to exactly when they need to be cleaned before the accuracy falls off, especially if different powders and bullets are employed at different times and in different matches in the rifle. If I am shooting a diet of VihtaVuori or some IMR or some Alliant powders in a rifle that's one thing, but most Hodgdon powders are way different than the other three noted and I would always clean more with the Hodgdon powders as they tend to leave that caked on hard carbon fouling justforward of the throat that starts to constrict the bore if ignored.
I cannot say I have ever found rifle barrels to be predictable as to exactly when they need to be cleaned before the accuracy falls off, especially if different powders and bullets are employed at different times and in different matches in the rifle. If I am shooting a diet of VihtaVuori or some IMR or some Alliant powders in a rifle that's one thing, but most Hodgdon powders are way different than the other three noted and I would always clean more with the Hodgdon powders as they tend to leave that caked on hard carbon fouling justforward of the throat that starts to constrict the bore if ignored.
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rcw3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I cannot say I have ever found rifle barrels to be predictable as to exactly when they need to be cleaned before the accuracy falls off, especially if different powders and bullets are employed at different times and in different matches in the rifle. If I am shooting a diet of VihtaVuori or some IMR or some Alliant powders in a rifle that's one thing, but most Hodgdon powders are way different than the other three noted and I would always clean more with the Hodgdon powders as they tend to leave that caked on hard carbon fouling justforward of the throat that starts to constrict the bore if ignored.
</div></div>
It appears that our experiences have been different. To each their own.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rcw3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I cannot say I have ever found rifle barrels to be predictable as to exactly when they need to be cleaned before the accuracy falls off, especially if different powders and bullets are employed at different times and in different matches in the rifle. If I am shooting a diet of VihtaVuori or some IMR or some Alliant powders in a rifle that's one thing, but most Hodgdon powders are way different than the other three noted and I would always clean more with the Hodgdon powders as they tend to leave that caked on hard carbon fouling justforward of the throat that starts to constrict the bore if ignored.
</div></div>
It appears that our experiences have been different. To each their own.
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
I use blue IOSSO blue brushes for bore and chamber. However, my chamber is rarely dirty like the bore. I also use one of those action cleaning kits offered on Midway, works great, and use medical q-tips, the long ass ones.
I use blue IOSSO blue brushes for bore and chamber. However, my chamber is rarely dirty like the bore. I also use one of those action cleaning kits offered on Midway, works great, and use medical q-tips, the long ass ones.
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: netranger6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use blue IOSSO blue brushes for bore and chamber. However, my chamber is rarely dirty like the bore. I also use one of those action cleaning kits offered on Midway, works great, and use medical q-tips, the long ass ones.</div></div>
Yup, the long medical swabs work OK, but whut's the bore wire brush this OP is talking about?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: netranger6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use blue IOSSO blue brushes for bore and chamber. However, my chamber is rarely dirty like the bore. I also use one of those action cleaning kits offered on Midway, works great, and use medical q-tips, the long ass ones.</div></div>
Yup, the long medical swabs work OK, but whut's the bore wire brush this OP is talking about?
Re: Cleaning the bore with a wire brush
I have significant doubts about whether a wire brush is all that effective at removing stubborn fouling. If we're expecting the brush to abrade the deposits, we may be expecting too much.
I envision the brush as a solvent application enhancement tool. I saturate the bore with solvent, then use the brush to spread it evenly and deeply into the rifling. This is followed by a pause to allow the solvent to do its work. For these purposes, I suspect the nylon brush is as effective as a wire brush.
For my intents, the real work is done by the solvent over time.
Greg
I have significant doubts about whether a wire brush is all that effective at removing stubborn fouling. If we're expecting the brush to abrade the deposits, we may be expecting too much.
I envision the brush as a solvent application enhancement tool. I saturate the bore with solvent, then use the brush to spread it evenly and deeply into the rifling. This is followed by a pause to allow the solvent to do its work. For these purposes, I suspect the nylon brush is as effective as a wire brush.
For my intents, the real work is done by the solvent over time.
Greg
