Rifle cleaning question

R

randomvalleyguy

New member
Just got a bolt action, have a question. When brushing it I heard to start through the chamber end and not the muzzle end; do I push the brush through the barrel, out the muzzle, and pull it back? Or do I push it through and pull back just before the brush exits the muzzle? And I need to coat a patch in solvent, pass it through the barrel a few times, then brush it, run dry patches through till they come out clean, then oil the barrel up? And when breaking in the barrel I need to do this after every shot for the first 20 rounds? And do I really need a bore guide even if the metal of the brush and rod are softer than the metal of the bore? I'm a total newbie with rifles, this is my first, I just want to know how to take great care of it. I want the barrel to last a long time and shoot accurate. Thanks in advance!!!
 
Just got a bolt action, have a question. When brushing it I heard to start through the chamber end and not the muzzle end; do I push the brush through the barrel, out the muzzle, and pull it back?

For bolt guns, I clean from the breech passing the brush all the way out the muzzle. I will then pull the brush back through the bore.

Or do I push it through and pull back just before the brush exits the muzzle?

Don't try to reverse directions in the bore or you can easily get the brush stuck in there

And I need to coat a patch in solvent, pass it through the barrel a few times, then brush it, run dry patches through till they come out clean, then oil the barrel up?

I'll run a wet patch through the bore on a loop and then let it soak for 10 minutes or so. That lets' the solvent do the work so I don't have to brush and patch as much.

And when breaking in the barrel I need to do this after every shot for the first 20 rounds?

I've never worried much about barrel break-in. I'm sure someone will be along shortly that can help with this.

And do I really need a bore guide even if the metal of the brush and rod are softer than the metal of the bore?

I think bore guides are a must when you have to clean from the muzzle. Not quite as important when cleaning from the breech. The brush isn't really a problem, but a dirty rod can cause muzzle wear if not kept away from the crown.

I'm a total newbie with rifles, this is my first, I just want to know how to take great care of it. I want the barrel to last a long time and shoot accurate. Thanks in advance!!!

You didn't say what rifle you have, but most will last several generations with a reasonable amount of care.
 
I've always heard you are never to pull the brush back after pushing it through since it can pick up some grit on the way in. Its best to remove the patches and brush once they exit the muzzle. I soak a patch, push it through, take the patch off and let the bore cleaner soak for a few minutes. Then I push a brush through a few times unscrewing the brush each time from the rod once it exits the muzzle and then withdraw the rod.

Then I'll run another wet patch through followed by several dry patches until it comes out clean (its never perfectly clean).

This works for me but I am sure that there are other ways too that are fine.
 
Heh, get some Foaming Bore Cleaner and use that for the initial soak. Really saves time on the "wait till the patch is clean" back end of maintenance.

Jimro
 
Cleaning from chamber to muzzle helps prevent muzzle crown wear. A bore guide that fits inside the action will help prevent wear to the bore ahead of the chamber and makes cleaning somewhat easier. Cleaning between shots for the first 10-20 shots will not hurt anything and could help. If nothing else is accomplished, the between shot cleaning will cool the barrel and space the shots out. When I do this, I use a wet patch followed by two dry patches and NO OIL left in the bore. If the first couple of shots show a lot of fouling, I'll do 5-10 strokes with a wet bronze brush followed by 3-5 dry patches between shots. Pulling the brush/patch back through is considered a no-no with high grade match barrels but I don't feel it's a problem with off the shelf rifles.
I hope this answers some of your questions.
I saw an instance of the opposite breakin process last summer. A guy had a new 30/06 with a POS scope at the range to sight in. He was banging away at a target that had hits all over so he couldn't tell which shots were which. I noticed he seemed to be frustrated so offered to help by spotting his shots with my spotting scope. After he'd fired 10-12 shots(1/2 of which I couldn't locate), I suggested he might need to hang a new target and let his barrel cool. W/o being pushy I told him the barrel was too hot and he might be causing damage. Foolishly, I reached up and touched the barrel and got a blister instantly. This guy had toasted his barrel before even getting his scope adjusted by firing over 60 rounds literally nonstop. At that point I decided to remove myself from the firing line and leave before I caused a ruckus.
 
A bore guide is a very good investment, you can get an inexpensive adjustable one that fits any action, or you can spend $25 and get one sized for your specific make and caliber from sinclair or another brand. I got a sinclair and am very glad I did. I know all these little gadgets start to add up, but the bore guide is a very good investment.

in addition to cleaning the bore, get a cheap toothbrush to clean the bolt face and the locking lugs. I also use a small amount of grease behind the locking lugs.

I also use the Tipton Action Chamber Cleaning set. The are 1 or 2 other brands also, but they work good at cleaning out the lug recesses and chamber.


As others have said, run 1 or 2 patches soaked with solvent down the bore, then use a brass or nylon brush, making sure you dont change direction in the bore. then run dry patches. Usually have to repet the first process to get it really clean. Then run an oiled patch through.
 
Plus 1 on the bore guide. I have a sporterized 03A3 at the gunsmths that I bought recently. It shot 9" three shot groups at 100 yards. After checking the cause it was determined that the previous owner had cleaned it from the muzzle and the riflings were worn at that area.
 
When brushing it I heard to start through the chamber end and not the muzzle end; do I push the brush through the barrel, out the muzzle, and pull it back?
Click to expand...

If possible I clean chamber to muzzle. I used to pull the brush back but now I brush in one direction only. Noveske is very adamant about brushing in one direction only on their barrels.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top