SEMI-AUTO PRECISION RIFLE- BORE CLEANING QUESTION.

[10ring'r]

Well, tried to search this and got numerous unrelated topics.
Over the years, I have always gotten into the habit of cleaning my rifles/handguns, after each range session, no matter how many rounds went down the pipe. During deer/elk camps, if it was a rainy day/week, each night, we would oily patch our bores and wipe the rest of the metal down. Now, I d/n do much of that anymore, but, I still shoot about 50-100 rounds (group/steel type), per session, then when the next day rolls around, I brush, mop, patch, the bore and wipe the rest of the gun down. Questions I have are....
Also to add, the rifles have S.S. Heavy profile (Bull) barrels.
1) Is this too much/too often?? My cold bore shots, usually hit .5-.75" high, but then the groups stay pretty consistent after that, as long as I do my part.
OR...
2) Do you just wipe the BCG down and mop/brush the chamber out?
According to some books and other forums, I think I've developed a bad habit, that I'm finding hard to break. So I want to trust the Hide on this.
Thanks to all that provide info./answers to this. Mac

 

[Bigjake83]

2) Just wipe the BCG down and mop/brush the chamber out.

This.^^^^.. just wipe down the inside of the upper, clean the BCG and chamber.

Once the initial barrel break in is complete I shoot until I start to see my groups opening up, unless it gets water or dirt/sand inside then it's best to do a full clean. If I have to go full retard on cleaning, I'll fire 5 Fouling shot then run a dry patch down the bore and put them away.

 

[flyright]

Leaving a barrel fouled, even for long periods, has never given me any issues stored in a climate controlled environment. I bore scope them periodically. Now, if I'm planning on not shooting it for a long period, I'll patch it out. I got away from full Copper removal type cleaning a couple of years ago and now do what Jake said with consistent results. I will do a thorough cleaning prior to groups opening if I know when to expect it on a particular rifle. I have a newer rifle that I've seen groups opening around 60 rounds. It has only about 150 rounds through it and I'm going to push that 60 rd limit now since it has sped up and smoothed out. I have a friend that can go 300 rds before his groups open and it is a solid .7 gun. I've definitely moved into the less cleaning (within reason) camp. My .03.

 

[10ring'r]

This.^^^^.. just wipe down the inside of the upper, clean the BCG and chamber.

Once the initial barrel break in is complete I shoot until I start to see my groups opening up, unless it gets water or dirt/sand inside then it's best to do a full clean. If I have to go full retard on cleaning, I'll fire 5 Fouling shot then run a dry patch down the bore and put them away.

At this time, all my uppers/barrels are broke in, so that's not an issue. I do have some "Anal Compulsive" issues with some things and firearms are one of them. Compared to some of the guys I shoot with, I'm a clean freak, LoL! My gen. purpose uppers/barrels, I don't clean as often, but, my target/precision uppers, I think I overdo them. What you said about wiping the bcg/chamber down and out, would be the smart way to deal with this. I will mention, all my gun maint. is done at home and not at the range, so, don't have the option of firing the fouling shots.
Old habits are PITA to break.
Thanks for your suggestions and for replying. Mac

 

[10ring'r]

Leaving a barrel fouled, even for long periods, has never given me any issues stored in a climate controlled environment. I bore scope them periodically. Now, if I'm planning on not shooting it for a long period, I'll patch it out. I got away from full Copper removal type cleaning a couple of years ago and now do what Jake said with consistent results. I will do a thorough cleaning prior to groups opening if I know when to expect it on a particular rifle. I have a newer rifle that I've seen groups opening around 60 rounds. It has only about 150 rounds through it and I'm going to push that 60 rd limit now since it has sped up and smoothed out. I have a friend that can go 300 rds before his groups open and it is a solid .7 gun. I've definitely moved into the less cleaning (within reason) camp. My .03.

I'm so anal with my firearms, that since I live in some pretty serious humidity during the summer here in Wisc., that I do the full meal deal after a range session. I'll do the copper solvent/ patch till clean/run an oil patch on the final pass-thru, then wipe the rest of the gun down, then it goes in the safe, because, sometimes, depending on the weather, I don't know when the next time I'll be headed to the range. Next time I'm going to shoot some groups, with a clean bore, then wait until I get 60-100 rounds down the pipe, then shoot groups again, and see how much spread I have. If I see no change, then I will know that I've been wasting time and effort. Both my precision uppers, have between 2200 to 2400 rounds thru them, but, I still get .48 to .89 inch groups (5 shot/100yds.), I know, pics or it didn't happen, when I have the conditions and do my part.
Thanks for the reply. Mac

 

[10ring'r]

I've started using this method for cleaning my rifles that detailed in this video by lowlight...

Yup, that made a lot of sense. One thing I noticed Frank doing, was when he used the brush, he pulled/pushed it thru the bore. I'm so F'n bad, I'll push the brush towards the muzzle, then I unscrew the brush, pull the rod out, install the brush, then push it to the muzzle again, for a total of 3-4 times. What he says makes sense.
I'm getting the feeling, that I've put a lot of wear and tear on my barrels, that I needed not to have done.
Thanks for the Vid. and for replying. Mac

 

[bfoosh006]

If your environment is damp... and you store your firearm , consider VCI bags for storage > Polygun Bags.com sells nice thick mil plastic ones.

As for lube, what are you using ?

 

[10ring'r]

If your environment is damp... and you store your firearm , consider VCI bags for storage > Polygun Bags.com sells nice thick mil plastic ones.

As for lube, what are you using ?

I do run a dehumidifier where I store my guns and also throw a couple of desiccant bags in the safe.
As far as lube goes, Mobil 1(bcg), CLP & EWL(bore & receivers). I've never had an issue with rust. Only time I've ever had to deal with corrosion, was when accidently getting blood on the metal of a firearm. Most of my hunting days, was when I lived in Oregon and was stationed in Wash., so with the wet wx of those states, I got in the habit of oiling everything. At a bare min., oily rag in a freezer bag. So the habit never stopped. Thanks for the reply. Mac

 

[bfoosh006]

So it sounds like zero rust issues... so your cleaning is working. I don't think you are over cleaning your parts , those same parts are pretty durable.

As long as you aren't scotchbrite / wire brush cleaning everything,.. just rubbing parts clean is fine... and then re-oil.


And since you lived in Oregon / Washington... IMHO, keeping your "car / truck" clean is a good example of how much cleaning to do....

You can wash it one day, and the weather will rain, and make it filthy the next day. ...So , keeping it clean is a chore.

But, Appyling a good protective coating, car wax, to it extend its useful "painted / parts life" is prudent... for me the same can be said about your oiling / cleaning of the firearms.

Any Oregon / Washington car owner doesn't wax after every down pour.

I can't speak about brushing a bore to much. I have moved to the "VFG Felt Pellets" for bore cleaning. ( https://www.brownells.com/gun-clean...ts/weapons-care-system-pellets-prod13839.aspx ) Order the Kroil and JB Bore bright during a free shipping / hazardous chem free shipping Brownells coupon

This, BTW.. is where my OCD shines... the bore is the most important to clean for me.
And use a bore guide when bore cleaning, this is important.... good bore to cleaning rod alignment matters.

The VFG Pellets and cleaning rod adaptor , combined with Kroil and JB Bore Polish... some of my best groups have been fired after the VFG, Kroil and JB Bore Bright. ( Not the JB Bore Cleaner )






I also have used NuFinish car wax on the exterior of SS (and Blued ) barrels ... ( also great as an additive in walnut shells for cleaning brass )
NuFinish is pretty durable , and helps with my random sweaty grimy paw prints... and helps keep the water at bay.

I have to admit, I also don't clean the BCG as often as I used to ... I'll wipe it down and reapply ALG Go-Juice, in my experience.. keep it lubed and it could be so crazy filthy will still run. ( Filthy 14 )

Anyway.... maybe some of those suggestions will help alter some of your concerns.

Lol, we all "over-think some of our habits"... so IMHO, "don't sweat the small stuff"... if you were causing early wear , you probably would have seen the results all ready.

I realize ( personally ) that the "don't sweat the small stuff isn't really OCD... it is more of the whole "if I am going to do it, then I'll do it right"... but your parts will be A-ok if you skip a thorough cleaning once in a while.
Or continue with what is working for you.

 

[thehun]

I just use a barrel snake with some CLP ... I don’t go too anal.

 

[10ring'r]

So it sounds like zero rust issues... so your cleaning is working. I don't think you are over cleaning your parts , those same parts are pretty durable.

As long as you aren't scotchbrite / wire brush cleaning everything,.. just rubbing parts clean is fine... and then re-oil.


And since you lived in Oregon / Washington... IMHO, keeping your "car / truck" clean is a good example of how much cleaning to do....

You can wash it one day, and the weather will rain, and make it filthy the next day. ...So , keeping it clean is a chore.

But, Appyling a good protective coating, car wax, to it extend its useful "painted / parts life" is prudent... for me the same can be said about your oiling / cleaning of the firearms.

Any Oregon / Washington car owner doesn't wax after every down pour.

I can't speak about brushing a bore to much. I have moved to the "VFG Felt Pellets" for bore cleaning. ( https://www.brownells.com/gun-clean...ts/weapons-care-system-pellets-prod13839.aspx ) Order the Kroil and JB Bore bright during a free shipping / hazardous chem free shipping Brownells coupon

This, BTW.. is where my OCD shines... the bore is the most important to clean for me.
And use a bore guide when bore cleaning, this is important.... good bore to cleaning rod alignment matters.

The VFG Pellets and cleaning rod adaptor , combined with Kroil and JB Bore Polish... some of my best groups have been fired after the VFG, Kroil and JB Bore Bright. ( Not the JB Bore Cleaner )






I also have used NuFinish car wax on the exterior of SS (and Blued ) barrels ... ( also great as an additive in walnut shells for cleaning brass )
NuFinish is pretty durable , and helps with my random sweaty grimy paw prints... and helps keep the water at bay.

I have to admit, I also don't clean the BCG as often as I used to ... I'll wipe it down and reapply ALG Go-Juice, in my experience.. keep it lubed and it could be so crazy filthy will still run. ( Filthy 14 )

Anyway.... maybe some of those suggestions will help alter some of your concerns.

Lol, we all "over-think some of our habits"... so IMHO, "don't sweat the small stuff"... if you were causing early wear , you probably would have seen the results all ready.

I realize ( personally ) that the "don't sweat the small stuff isn't really OCD... it is more of the whole "if I am going to do it, then I'll do it right"... but your parts will be A-ok if you skip a thorough cleaning once in a while.
Or continue with what is working for you.

I have never used any bore polishing compounds. Just used Hoppe's #9, let it soak for 10 min., use a nylon brush, then patch out. I will admit, I disassemble the bcg, soak, brush/scrape, reassemble, lube, reinstall. That's it. Then, I use CLP on a rag, wipe down, then throw it in the safe. Handguns, the same. Thanks for the reply. Mac

 

[10ring'r]

I just use a barrel snake with some CLP ... I don’t go too anal.

I use that method on my handguns and I will do it at the range, so I can fire a couple of rounds, just to make sure it runs, before I re-holster it. Mac