As per cleaning, I do, to a point.
However, I try never to go hunting without first fouling my barrel.
Once the the barrel is fouled, usually at my final range session before hunting season, by however many rounds happen to go down the tube, I seal the end of the barrel with tightly streached black electrical tape and it stays that way until one of the following happens.
Season ends, I take a shot after which the barrel is again sealed unless I am done hunting, or if I and the rifle really get soaked.
If the latter happens, and the bore needs attention, I will try to again foul the barrel before hunting.
I do not like the fact that my rifles tend to throw the first shot or two, "out of the group" unless fouled.
Given the possibility of an extended range shot during a hunt, and knowing that the first couple shots will be out of the group, plus not knowing just where they might land, does nothing for my confidence level.
I have fired targeted groups, beginning with a taped barrel, and have never detected any case in which that first, taped shot, was out of the group.
I have however, ended up a number of times, having the muzzle of my rifle come in contact with the ground. Something which without the tape could have ended my days hunt right there.
Keep em coming!
CDOC
