To be honest Mack, I've been afraid too answer. Your example of a weeks hunting and shooting is fairly typical,,common, albeit. Yet there are a few variables left out of the story that can determine what I call a "camp cleaning" vrs a "complete cleaning" being needed to protect your gun and maintain proper accuracy through that week of hunting. How you shoot and accuracy is most important during the hunt, Right?
1. Powder make and grade,
2. Your Patch lube and wiping technique,
3. And believe it or not the weather,,is it hot and dry? or is it raining?
4. Is it Cold outside and warm in the house?
5. The Cap's we use deposit a nasty amount of fouling too the nipple and breech area,,,so ya gotta clean that part !
See? CF did give good advise,,"clean it till the wipe is white". Black patches are a bad thing. that means powder fouling is still in there. Powder fouling has some nasty chemicals in it..Mixed with the moisture in the air and/or condensation from temperature changes powder fouling can reek havic on a rifle bore real fast!
so too your question #1. "has this hurt the rifling,gun shoots ok with conicals but not great,,,,,"
I'd say Yes.
How can I answer questions after that?
The last Renegade I had, was punching 4" roundball groups off-hand at 100 yrds,,,,, :wink: