Author Topic: a loaded question (Read 1251 times)

chunter · « **on:** June 27, 2003, 10:39:11 PM »

I just wanted to get a feel for other peoples rimfire cleaning practices.

I shoot Anshutz rimfires and according to the manual that came with the guns it doesn't say to clean very often (around 500-1000 rounds) and to only clean with gun oil. However, I can't sleep thinking that a rifle of mine could be sitting in the safe, dirty. So I have plucked all of the copper wires out of a .22 cal "bore snake" to make it more friendly. I run this through my gun with oil and rust prevent 3-4 times and call it clean after shooting.

Many people at the range see me doing this and I get a wide range of responses. Such as :
"why would you clean a .22 anyway" (snicker)
"you had a better use solvent and a brush or that thing will never be clean"
"where can I get a snake without the brush on it"
" I only clean with electrolysis kit, its the only thing that works"

I just wanted to get an idea on how other people clean there rimfires and what you think that best practices are with these types of rifles.

eroyd · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2003, 05:33:06 AM »

I clean my gun every few hundred rounds. Can't stand the idea of having crud in the barrel. My CZ likes T22's which tend to be dirty, some having lead or lube smears on the cases. I have had shells fail to extract due to this so the best way to clean the chamber is to do the whole bore. I use a bore guide and I don't get carried away. Just get the thick out.

Another factor in my area is moisture. We've had matches where the rams were totally unseeable due to heavy downpoor. Crud in the action or bore seems to attracts moisture.

shootingpaul · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2003, 07:27:17 PM »

i found that cleaning depends on the ammo that you shoot, ex some ammo has dirty powder, some has soft lead etc -- this ones will require cleaning more often. other can be shot 2000 rds and be OK.
I like to clean whenever I think it needs it.... its mean sometime s it is hard to eject empties (match chamber), or group opens up, or my girl says it is dirty, or .............
I use shooters choice and bronze brush.

On the other hand there are shooters that never----- YES___ NEVER clean their 22s, they only clean the chamber. I am talking about top shooters....

well I am not one of them.....
s-paul

yankee · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2003, 04:26:08 PM »

One dry patch between matches. Might want to short stroke in the chamber a couple times. Maybe a little solvent on a patch when storing for the winter. Brush, one stroke once every couple years.

PAndy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2003, 10:14:35 AM »

An old friend of mine has done a lot of smallbore shooting around the world with the US team. One trip they stopped by Anschutz factory to try out some new rifles or something. After the Americans were done shooting, they broke out the cleaning rods, etc. The Germans just stared at them.
During my target shooting days we always cleaned, but found it very difficult to notice whether it 'helped' or not. Of course rimfires are finicky with ammo, etc. and different ones will behave differently. Cleaning the bolt face, firing pin, etc. is obviously very important especially with the sticky ammo types. The slimiest we ever used was old Winchester Mark III, especially when it melted during a warm outdoor match!

Lee D. · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2003, 08:36:38 AM »

More guns have been ruined by over cleaning than not cleaning. I very gently clean my Anschutz when I notice loss of accuracy. which seems to be around 1,000 rounds depending but around 1,000.