foxbuster Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 Evening all. Just wondering which is the best way to clean and maintain centrefire rifle bores. Do you guys just use a bit of oil or do you use cleaning solvents too. I personally just use some oil and a pull through, but wondering if this is enough to keep bore in tip-top condition? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 A subject that doesnt have one answer, I clean my 243 with brunox and run patchs through till clean each time I use it. A friend of mine who has been shooting for 40 years just runs a nylon brush through to get rid of any primer metal and gives the barrel a good clean once a year. Another chap I was talking to who claims to shoot 4inch balloons at 500yds reckoned he didnt clean his 223 until it started loosing accuracy. So who knows what the answer is, maybe its a balance between barrel life and accuracy. My view is that a barrel needs to be cleaned to remove primer metal and protect it against corrosion, if it shoots well from this condition each time then surely thats the best. If it throws a few wild ones out of a clean barrel and your using it for hunting then maybe its best left dirty and then give it a good clean when you know that your zeroing on the next outing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 I use Parker Hale 009 cleaner.It might have a (very) strong smell,but its fantastic at cleaning my old service rifles when i've used 60 year old corrosive milsurp ammo.Its also very good on shotguns too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 Hoppe's 009 and elbow grease at least a dozen srokes with a bronze brush to remove the copper fouling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 Lots of views and no specific answer. I clean all my centrefires EVERY time I use them, I clean them thoroughly and then they work, no wasted shots, no settling down, no accuracy issues, and this even includes a full strip and clean of my P8 Compacts every time as well. Cleaning is NOT a 5 minute wonder, it is dedication, but it does work and pays dividends for me if you do it properly! A clean barrels shoots straight, dirty barrels do not, there is simply no debate, it just comes down to each individuals interpretation of accurate and their expectations! THis lot also happen to shoot remarkably well with the cheapest available factory ammo, and unbelievably well with good ammo! ATB! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 Lots of views and no specific answer. I clean all my centrefires EVERY time I use them, I clean them thoroughly and then they work, no wasted shots, no settling down, no accuracy issues, and this even includes a full strip and clean of my P8 Compacts every time as well. Cleaning is NOT a 5 minute wonder, it is dedication, but it does work and pays dividends for me if you do it properly! A clean barrels shoots straight, dirty barrels do not, there is simply no debate, it just comes down to each individuals interpretation of accurate and their expectations! THis lot also happen to shoot remarkably well with the cheapest available factory ammo, and unbelievably well with good ammo! ATB! EDIT PS Pull throughs, and a bit of oil has no chance of cleaning a barrel. Solvents, scrubbers, patches, oils are required in appropriate proportions to clean a barrel ......and it takes time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milligan Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 Evening all. Just wondering which is the best way to clean and maintain centrefire rifle bores. Do you guys just use a bit of oil or do you use cleaning solvents too. I personally just use some oil and a pull through, but wondering if this is enough to keep bore in tip-top condition? Cheers. Certainly wouldn't advocate using oil in a barrel unless it's being stored for a while and even then it should be patched out before firing. As mentioned there are lots of varying opinions on this but at the very least you need some solvent, bronze brush, jag, patches and (I would say) a bore guide... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plonker Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 I clean mine with solvent,brushes and patches,but my .223 always needs 2 fouling shots to get back to zero i just can't bring myself to not clean it. Oil is a no no down your barrel unless your storing it away for a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 I always oil my barrels because I keep my guns in the attic. Always patch before firing though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 I use bronze brush to loosen things up, patch with hopps 009, run a mop through with hopps 009 to leave a nice corrosion resistant coating then a spray and wipe over the barrel etc with napier spray. Belt and braces is what i say especially with the weather going the way it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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