cleaning .22LR : how often and how

J

Jorg

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Hello,

Been shooting only ocassionally for about 1 year.
I have a used Savage Mark II .22LR.
When I go to range I usually spend 2 hours shooting about 100 rounds (Blazer, SK Rifle Match, ...)

Question : how often should I clean rifle and how ?
(step by step instructions or link please... I have little knowledge about rifles)

thanks!
 
I use Otis 22lr cleaning kit.....think I got it from Select shooting supplies. I ordered extra 2” patches too. I use the Otis system for my shotguns too, I like to keep to one system.

I clean after every use and light oil when finished and I do this for any caliber I shoot.

Lots of videos online on how to clean using many options
 
I would be surprised if you need to clean it yet? Hard to build up enough crap in a bolt action to affect function? I did have a 50-ish year old guy bring a Cooey 600 he had bought as a teenager - when cleaning that bore, I was getting metallic specs, even some "chunks" on the patch - I believe he had lead build up in there - after 35 or more years! He had never, even once, cleaned the bore. I have a number of semi-auto .22's that start to have failures to extract - almost always because of build up of burned crud under the extractor so it can not actually grab the rim like it should - clean that out and most return to normal function - a few might have true "wear", but I think most got damaged by prying or scraping as result of inappropriate cleaning attempts. I suspect many .22 bores (muzzles especially) got munged up by excessive cleaning without bore guides and using three piece aluminum cleaning rod "kits".

Also, I have seen a plethora of buggered up screw slots, especially on .22's. Someone grabbed any old tapered screwdriver in the shop and dis-assembled the rifle - good intent - need to periodically inspect and protect with light (very light) coating of oil rubbed on with a rag to rub off any crud at the same time. However, loosening and tightening the screws with a screw driver that does not fit the slot tightly will inevitably "roll over" the edges of the screw slots. To me, looks like "H", and goes to the competency of what might have been done inside - a Win 94-22, for example. User manuals seem to be readily available on Internet - from the manufacturer, not someone's "U-tube" video, that almost always state what the user is expected to do as far as cleaning and maintenance, and how to do it. I have seen much evidence that the manuals do not get read, not followed, yet was all laid out for the owner, often with pictures.
 
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To me, it is a personal choice. My grandfather would never clean his 22 rifles unless there was something "wrong" with them (like failure to feed, extract, etc). My dad would clean them every year whether he fired them or not.

I like cleaning my hunting 22s before a range trip to verify my sights, then leave the barrel fouled so I don't (in theory) change my shot placement.

Target-only 22s get cleaned when the chamber looks like it needs it. Might be 1, 2, 5 years between cleaning the action/barrel. I do wipe down the exterior with a rag and oil or Ballistol after each trip to minimize rust from fingerprints, moisture, etc.
 
Potashminer said:
I would be surprised if you need to clean it yet? Hard to build up enough crap in a bolt action to affect function?
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Is that a good standard for when to clean a bolt action .22LR -- when enough crap is built up to affect function? This means someone would only have to clean every time the Olympics moved from one continent to another.
 
I usually clean mine when they look dirty, the action is gritty, or reliability starts to suffer. It really depends on the gun. Some after 750 rounds, others after several thousand rounds.
 
Cleaning the bore . . . I run a felt plug through the barrel after each session just to remove the accumulation of powder.

The bolt . . . once a year.

The trigger . . . once a year with lighter fluid and air.

Barrel and Action . . . wipe down with a lightly oiled rag or a silicone cloth.

A friend asked an Anschutz rep at the Shot Show "How often should you clean a rifle"?

Every case!
 
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I almost never cleaned my 22's, old school thought about it not being necessary. I have a pretty accurate Walther and did not clean it for decades, still shot pretty good.
BUT BUT BUT, I got in touch with some 22 RF accuracy shooters on this forum and asked for their opinions. Their advice was to clean, especially between TYPES of 22 ammo.
I began cleaning AT LEAST every 200 rounds (in a days shooting) or every trip to the range. Groups shrank. I'm talking about the difference between GOOD groups (3/4"@ 50 yards) and VERY GOOD GROUPS (1/2" +/- a few TENTHS). I've noticed the first 5-10 shots after a clean are OK but then they shrink A LOT for the next 40 rounds, THEN open up again and remain around the 3/4" (+/-) mark. If you don't measure groups and are happy hitting a Loonie @ 50 yards then perhaps not cleaning frequently is ok. If you want the best accuracy, MY OPINION is to clean AT LEAST every 200 rounds. My son shot a SUB 2" 5 shot group @ 200 yards with a CLEAN Anschutz. Lucky....... yes, but still.....under 2" @200. I doubt very much he could have done that with a FOULED barrel.
 
Get a good one piece cleaning rod and send a pm to one of the benchrest shooters that turn in the spectacular targets. Politely ask them what they use and how they maintain their guns. It obviously works!!! There are lots of really knowledgable fellows on here that would be more than happy to start you down the road in the proper direction.Clean guns are happy guns
 
SIG FAN said:
I usually clean mine when they look dirty, the action is gritty, or reliability starts to suffer. It really depends on the gun. Some after 750 rounds, others after several thousand rounds.
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This, I clean it’s required in it affects reliability and/or accuracy

 
I keep the bolt and action pretty clean, roughly once every 7-800 rounds.

I also run a dry patch down the barrel every 3-400, removes the worst of the powder fouling but doesn't mean I have to re-foul the barrel.

Full barrel cleaning every couple of bricks or so.
 
Annually. If I remember to.

How long? Until my finger gets tired of holding down the nozzle on the WD40 spray can. I have sensitive fingers.

Y'know, there's been a lot more damage ever done cleaning .22's than leaving them alone. A quick wipe with an oily rag, and ten seconds whizzing around the action with a oily old tooth brush to knock out the worst of the loose crud should keep it running for years.
 
trevj said:
Y'know, there's been a lot more damage ever done cleaning .22's than leaving them alone.
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That's for sure. A rifle left alone may only need occasional dusting.

More seriously, the idea gets repeated on the internet without explanation that cleaning damages more rifles than not cleaning. Readers, especially newer shooters, should understand that is little more than an argument for inaction, for doing nothing out of ignorance. It goes without saying when anything is done it should be done properly. Nothing with a rifle should ever be done haphazardly. Rimfire rifle bores can be cleaned safely and effectively.
 
LONG ago when I was at the Seven Oaks Junior Rifle Club in Winnipeg we would shoot several relays one night a week, and clean the rifles once a year whether they needed it or not. We always shot the same ammo. Don’t remember what ammo or rifles but probably CIL. Peep sights, candle shoot on birthdays, hunter safety training between relays.
 
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