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guncollector Member
Joined: Apr 25, 2006 Posts: 68 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:11 pm Post subject: How often to clean |
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How often do you clean your hunting rifle during hunting season? When at the range, the best accuracy is obtained after a fouling shot and for 10-20 additional shots in most rifles. Typically I will practice a bit at the range, clean the rifle, take a fouling shot, run a dry patch through the barrel and be ready for hunting.
What I'm wondering is what happens when you take 2 shots opening weekend, 2 more 2 weeks later, 1 more the following week and find yourself at Christmas with a rifle that hasn't been cleaned since October but has only has had 6-7 shots through it. Is it time to clean it? Is it a good idea to run dry patches through between weekend hunts? Obviously a good cleaning plus a fouling shot is probably the ideal but is it worth it if you've only shot a couple of times?
What do you do?
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Shipster Member
Joined: Dec 15, 2006 Posts: 26 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:33 pm Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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guncollector the number of rounds doesn't really dictate to me when to clean a gun during a hunting season as much as the weather does. Like you said best accuracy follows fouling shots, so why would I waste all that money cleaning my rifle then have to go through the process of fouling the bore. What I do is after my initial pre-season zero check I will take electrical tape and tape over the end of the muzzle to protect the bore from the elements. Then it's just a matter of protecting the outside of the rifle and wiping it down and keeping it clean and protected. After the season is over it gets stripped down and cleaned re-oiled and put back together. Ready for next year.
_________________ Shipster
Relaxation Technique: deep breath in; exhale; deep breath in; exhale slowly, hold.... and squeeze..... |
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11390 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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And where Shipster hunts It's wet. I know as I have hunted both Oregon and Washington Cascades and Coastal Range...
I sight my rifle in at the range. Clean and inspect. Then just before opening day I fire three fouling shots and it gets wiped down in the evening when in hunting camp and cleaned after hunting season closes. I only disassemble the rifle every 2 years unless it has gone through hell...
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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Dimitri Super Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944
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Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:19 am Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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Humm,
In my opinion a rifle can never be too clean. If I shoot even a single bullet that day I clean it out, do a full inspection after field stripping the rifle, reoil and re-grease everything and put it back together.
And nothing wrong with giving your firearm a rub of oil every now and then when its in the safe to keep it from rusting up.
Dimitri
_________________ A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow. |
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Gil Martin Super Member
Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 1837 Location: Schnecksville, PA
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Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 6:15 am Post subject: It depends |
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I clean my firearms after every use or encounter with wet weather. After handling them, they get wiped down with a 50/50 mixture of gun oil and gun grease on a cloth. All the best...
Gil
_________________ Gil |
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kbis Super Member
Joined: Apr 05, 2005 Posts: 312 Location: East, Texas
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:22 am Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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After I have confirmed that the gun is still zeroed in with a few shots, it stays fouled until after deer season. The outside does get wiped down after every outing.
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1895ss Super Member
Joined: Jul 21, 2005 Posts: 2612 Location: Not Here...!!
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:42 am Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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My gun/guns get wiped down daily with eezox gun oil but the bore doesn't get cleaned until the season is over unless I'm hunting in wet weather. Then the bore gets cleaned daily as well.
_________________ A cruel truth is much more desirable than a really nice lie.
'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd or an a**hole going the wrong way. |
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15704 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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Handloader Super Member
Joined: Aug 22, 2005 Posts: 1032 Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 12:07 am Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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Cleaning is performed to restore accuracy and/or prevent rust. Conditions dictate how often this needs to be performed, IMO. Hunting in wet conditions dictate a patch with a light amount of Rem Oil or Break Free followed by a dry patch. The exterior may need a wipe down, too, but, as much emphasis as we place on anti-scent clothing and materials, most lubricants carry their own smell. Whenever possible, after the requisite fouling shots, the rifle isn't cleaned until the hunt ends.
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Joe Boleo Super Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2006 Posts: 427 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 6:13 am Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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Like some of you here, my preference is to clean guns after every use. This is especially true with my muzzleloaders. Deer rifles get cleaned and wiped down after shooting them. My other guns get wiped down every time I handle them. Seems to work OK.
Joe
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Dimitri Super Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 10:14 am Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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Welcome to the forums Joe Boleo!
Dimitri
_________________ A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow. |
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Crackshot Super Member
Joined: Oct 23, 2005 Posts: 1693 Location: Mich
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Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:02 am Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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I have never found that fouling shots made that big a difference, so I clean when I deem it needs done.....after a hard day sloging through the swamps or a long shooting session at the range. It all depends on you.
_________________ The human mind is the weapon, the gun is just one of its tools. |
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fb41 Rookie Member
Joined: Jan 02, 2007 Posts: 22
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:25 am Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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I clean my rifles before I put them away for the season; during the season, only the exterior gets wiped down with silicone.
I use a product called Metal Treat on all my rifles. It keeps the bores rust free, even after shooting. Florida has a high humidity year round and rust can be a real PITA.
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PaulS Super Member
Joined: Feb 18, 2006 Posts: 4330 Location: South-Eastern Washington - the State
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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I clean my rifles between shots just to give them time to cool down. After a day at the range I do a comprehensive cleaning. I clean them before I leave for the range. My revolvers are thoroughly cleaned after using them. Shotguns are cleaned after a day of use. Like the revolvers it is a comprehensive cleaning with field stripping the action, cleaning all parts including the barrel and then judicious lubrication as they are reassembled.
_________________ Paul
__________________
Speer, Lyman, Hodgdon, Sierra, and Hornady = reliable loading data
So and So's pages on the internet = NOT reliable loading data
Always check data against manuals
NEVER exceed maximum listed loads |
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4rum Member
Joined: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 211
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Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: How often to clean |
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Dear guncollector;
Gun cleaning habits, supplies and methods will vary greatly. You show a common concern about the proper care of your hunting rifle(s). There are many excellent how to's and suggestions already posted. I personally use several of the products and procedures already listed.
My one suggestion would be carefully monitoring of your rifles/guns at all times. Look at them. Inspect for water, debris, rust, copper fouling (in the bore). When ANY of these conditions exist, clean thoroughly. The life of your weapon is worth the effort to clean and check the zero. You will develop limitations on routine cleaning during hunting season. Learn to clean properly with a good rod. Many bores have been ruined by good intentions. A poor quality, jointed rod will scrape and marr your rifles bore. If improperly cleaned with such rod, irrepairable damage can result.
Best of luck... an' whack a big'n.
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