Barrel cleaning

[Beagle boy]

Good evening everyone
I was talking to friend today who told me, that he only cleans the barrel of his .243 every 6 months or so. Or until he notices his groupings are not as good as they once were. He also said he hasn’t removed his silencer in years and hasn’t had any issues. He shoots fairly regularly maybe once or twice a week.
I on the other hand clean my 22-250 down every time I have used it, pull the barrel though with a bore snake and remove the silencer.
Am I doing to correct thing or is it fine to just leave said rifle with cleaning the barrel after every use?

Cheers Rob

 

[Cranborne]

You're doing the right thing.

 

[Drum123]

Good evening everyone
I was talking to friend today who told me, that he only cleans the barrel of his .243 every 6 months or so. Or until he notices his groupings are not as good as they once were. He also said he hasn’t removed his silencer in years and hasn’t had any issues. He shoots fairly regularly maybe once or twice a week.
I on the other hand clean my 22-250 down every time I have used it, pull the barrel though with a bore snake and remove the silencer.
Am I doing to correct thing or is it fine to just leave said rifle with cleaning the barrel after every use?

Cheers Rob

Your friend is the reason why buying a used rifle is such a gamble.

 

[Ginc]

I clean my 243win with synthetic brush and Ballistol after each shot. After 20-30 shots i switch to bronze brush and more powerful cleaner, like Robla solo mil. And once in a year- it's time for Iosso paste cleaning!

 

[Hornet]

Your friend may discover a rusted/pitted crown and possibly a rusted bore if he can actually remove the moderator.

 

[Greenmist]

Good evening everyone
I was talking to friend today who told me, that he only cleans the barrel of his .243 every 6 months or so. Or until he notices his groupings are not as good as they once were. He also said he hasn’t removed his silencer in years and hasn’t had any issues. He shoots fairly regularly maybe once or twice a week.
I on the other hand clean my 22-250 down every time I have used it, pull the barrel though with a bore snake and remove the silencer.
Am I doing to correct thing or is it fine to just leave said rifle with cleaning the barrel after every use?

Cheers Rob

If he can remove his moderator, ask him to and compare your muzzle with his. I'd go with your take on maintenance over his

 

[VSS]

You are definitely doing the right thing with the moderator. Rifle should never be stored with the mod on.
I think your barrel cleaning regime might be excessive though. In fact, I think your mate's barrel cleaning regime is excessive too

 

[Beagle boy]

Thanks for the replies lads
I’d rather be safe than sorry and get abit more life out of it. And I’m a tight git so I want everything out of it I can

 

[Beagle boy]

Your friend is the reason why buying a used rifle is such a gamble.

Do you think the same applies to 17 and 22 Rimfires aswell?
Because I clean them down after use but I doubt many rimfires get a bore snake down them

 

[Drum123]

Do you think the same applies to 17 and 22 Rimfires aswell?
Because I clean them down after use but I doubt many rimfires get a bore snake down them

22rf - leave well alone unless you get the bore wet. 17hmr will need cleaning , I scrub mine out when I see accuracy falling off, saying that all my rifles will get brought up to room temp after been out at night then the bores will be dried out with dry patches or a bore snake with the brush removed with a little dab of rust inhibitor on it.

 

[VSS]

Do you think the same applies to 17 and 22 Rimfires aswell?
Because I clean them down after use but I doubt many rimfires get a bore snake down them

Regularly cleaning a .22lr?
I don’t think I've ever heard of such a thing!
Mostly they just get a pull-through if accuracy starts to wander after 500-1000 rounds.

 

[BenBhoy]

clean my 243win with synthetic brush and Ballistol after each shot.

Each shot?? So you carry it with you in field?

 

[Ginc]

Each shot?? So you carry it with you in field?

1shot for each deer. I don't need more. And, yes- I carry oil and Otis style cleaning system in bag. Old legacy from my army service days.

 

[Beagle boy]

Regularly cleaning a .22lr?
I don’t think I've ever heard of such a thing!
Mostly they just get a pull-through if accuracy starts to wander after 500-1000 rounds.

Sorry for the stupid questions, shot a lot through the 22 over the years and never thought about cleaning it. But I’ve always cleaned my centre fires
I was going to ask about twist ratios in barrels in another thread so you’ll get plenty more stupid questions out of me

 

[Beagle boy]

22rf - leave well alone unless you get the bore wet. 17hmr will need cleaning , I scrub mine out when I see accuracy falling off, saying that all my rifles will get brought up to room temp after been out at night then the bores will be dried out with dry patches or a bore snake with the brush removed with a little dab of rust inhibitor on it.

I’ve never have done my 22lr but I do with my 17hmr, just got me thinking if I should the 22lr aswell

 

[Cyres]

My rifle smith said never ever use a bore snake or similar. If it needs cleaning do it the.proper way.
D

 

[turner.jc1]

I don’t think there’s a simple answer. If I shoot the rifle regularly I don’t clean regularly. Top competition shooters do not clean their barrel unless required (loss of accuracy). Dont over think it. The ones you don’t shoot need cleaning and oiling because of corrosion and rust etc.

 

[kenbro]

Does using lead free bullets “Dirty” barrels sooner/easier and need more frequent attention?
KB.

 

[maximus otter]

I deep clean my (stainless) Sako 85 in 6.5 x 55 SE once per annum, usually in the "slack" season, i.e. Sep/Oct.

I shoot about 10-20 deer per year, so it's cleaned about every 30 rounds (allowing for zero checks.) This is with conventional factory ammo, i.e. non-copper.

I remove the mod when it goes into the safe, after spraying the interior with WD40 Specialist Penetrant and re-taping over the end with duct tape (over the neoprene mod cover.)

I have a Napier corrosion-inhibiting sachet taped to the inside of the gun safe.

maximus otter

 

[Smellydog]

Good evening everyone
I was talking to friend today who told me, that he only cleans the barrel of his .243 every 6 months or so. Or until he notices his groupings are not as good as they once were. He also said he hasn’t removed his silencer in years and hasn’t had any issues. He shoots fairly regularly maybe once or twice a week.
I on the other hand clean my 22-250 down every time I have used it, pull the barrel though with a bore snake and remove the silencer.
Am I doing to correct thing or is it fine to just leave said rifle with cleaning the barrel after every use?

Cheers Rob

He is wrong but you may not need to clean after every use but you do need to protect the bore from coming in from the cold and having condensation form.

I usually overcome this with an oily patch on a rod and push it through.
Do remove the mod to air it out.

17hmr treat the same.
22, leave it alone. The bullet lube has to coat the bore and is essential for performance. It also protects the bore. It also protects the crown so mod removal isn't as crucial.