Just wondering how often do those that shoot an HMR scrub the bore? After a range session I've been just been passing patches soaked in solvent alternating with dry ones till they come out clean no brushing. I've found the last couple range sessions my rifle won't group worth a damn. This is the same treatment my 22 gets and it's a straight up tack driver. I was assuming they would both be in the same boat when it comes to maintainance and shouldn't be scrubbed to often to preserve to smaller rifling as apposed to a larger caliber centre fire. Before I go to the range I pass a couple dry patches through the bore to get out the oil as with all my firearms. Is it possible there's still trace oil that may be affecting accuracy/groups? Any advice and help is much appreciated.
17HMR cleaning
- Thread starter jongun
- Start date
I figure your regular run of the mill gun cleaning solvent should be able to handle the copper fouling from the jacketed bullets. That is a very good point by the way. I do shoot a certain amount of copper plated bullets in my 22 but not nearly as much copper as the 17.Gonna scrub the bore and see how she performs.
Well just because MY gun doesn't show adverse effects of many rounds doesn't mean yours won't. Yours might need cleaning. But do check all the things grizz mentioned as well.
Also the ammo may have changed lot to lot. Have you tried other ammo?
I cleaned my .17hmr mid way through the summer. I estimate it had about 1000 rounds thru it since I bought it brand new beginning of summer. It had never been cleaned. Took about 3 patches before they were coming out white as snow. I only shoot hornady V-max 17g... I was blown away how clean that gun is.
Scopes tight and conditions are the same being an indoor range as well the gun is more or less mint no damage with about 300 rounds through it. I've given it a good scrubbing from the breech of course and am hoping this will help with the lack of accuracy. I've been shooting mostly the 17gn V-max and they seem to be the worst so far at least for my particular rifle. Maybe just have to change ammo or possibly I've got a lemon.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I used to clean mine after every shooting session but got sick of thats so now I do around 1000 or so rounds.
I cleaned mine after every session and it never really fouled much, so now I'm on the lazy bandwagon of shoot till I think it needs it. usually i just clean the residue on the crown and wipe the gun down and in the safe it goes. Other than that I just use an otis pull through with a wet patch followed by a dry patch or 2 and that usually does it.
I have had two 17 HMRs (One a Savage, other a Marlin) and I treated both of them just like my centerfire rifle. About two boxes of 50 and I would run the Dewey rod through it with copper solvent, just to keep it shooting true. Then when I got home all my guns got a real good soaking with the foaming bore cleaner. I have never actually shot mine until accuracy suffered so cant say how many rounds before it needed cleaning.
However a buddy of mine has a very early 17 HMR made by Marlin. Not sure if being an early model (first lot into Canada) has any bearing but his needs a severe cleaning after 50 rounds. Barrel is so fouled you cannot see any hint of rifling, accuracy becomes what you would expect from a smoothbore.
Just goes to show how each rifle is unique.
However a buddy of mine has a very early 17 HMR made by Marlin. Not sure if being an early model (first lot into Canada) has any bearing but his needs a severe cleaning after 50 rounds. Barrel is so fouled you cannot see any hint of rifling, accuracy becomes what you would expect from a smoothbore.
Just goes to show how each rifle is unique.
