Author Topic: Barrel cleaning? (Read 1400 times)

Power · « **on:** June 15, 2003, 12:31:20 PM »

Please post your methods for cleaning your barrels between groups. I'm only into hunting for now but I'm starting to get serious about accuracy in case that 400-500 yard shot presents itself and I'm trying to get my new Tikka as good as it gets. She already shoots sub-MOA out to 300 yards but I want to make sure I'm cleaning the barrel right between groups.

Thanks for the input.

Jose Grande · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2003, 05:12:58 PM »

A wonderful question !!! With many right answers.
From your post I'll assume the barrel is "broke in".
After your 5 or 10 shot group,swab the barrel with HOPPES #9 BENCHREST. Then dry patches, (2,3,maybe even 4) to clean the barrel.No brush. Allow the HOPPES 4-5 minutes to work,then get it out of there.If there is no green on the patches,then there is no copper build-up in the barrel. If this is the case,don't worry about cleaning it for a bunch of shots.
Like 50-60. Where ever the accuracy starts falling off.
On a 80 shot NRA High-Power match,I don't clean the bore till the end of the day. That's around 90 shots with sighters.
My M-1 will shoot into 1 1/2 in. or less at 100yd.

Last,don't oil the bore except for long term storage.
Feel free to ask more if I'm not clear on this confuser. :grin:

Almost forgot,if there is copper use your brush with solvent,& make 10 passes in& out with it. Be sure you use a bore guide. Then patches again.

Power · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2003, 07:18:35 PM »

Thanks Jose. The patches are coming out with just black on them, no green. I wonder what the black is from. Is it different with Stainless steel barrels as that is what I have?

Jose Grande · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2003, 02:03:48 AM »

I've noticed that myself on a .300 mag stainless. I don't know the answer to why it's black on the patch. It must be a stainless thing.

I can't imagine anything other than fouling though.

Power · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2003, 05:43:50 AM »

I'm kind of wondering if the Hopps is reacting with the stainless steel. Anyone know?

redial · « **Reply #5 on:** June 18, 2003, 04:09:18 PM »

In my experience, Hoppes doesn't react with stainless that I can tell. I've often left #9 in the bore weeks longer than some others would recommend. :shock:

To answer your original question, my cleaning method is very simple but may not work outside target shooting applications.

Shoot moly bullets.
Run a wet patch or two.
Run a dry patch before firing.
Shoot more moly bullets.
Repeat the patch thing.
JB after every couple hundred moly bullets.

Redial

Jose Grande · « **Reply #6 on:** June 18, 2003, 07:57:17 PM »

redial, is that #9 or #9Benchrest. They are very different yuh know.
#9 won't hurt anything as far as I know. #9 Benchrest will if left in a long time.

redial · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2003, 11:34:03 AM »

Oops! Hadn't considered that!

FWIW, it's just boring old Hoppes #9, not the BR stuff. Sorry for the confusion.

Redial