First Trip To The Range Complete! Now what??

quikcolin

quikcolin

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Hey guys,

I just got back in from 3 hours at the range this morning and had the time of my life! I broke in my Tikka T3x .223 (cleaned after each shot for the 1st 5 shots, then cleaned after 5 shots until I hit 20 rounds) and also my Tikka T1x (I only cleaned it once, after the first 5 rounds and then let er' rip).

I put 35 rounds through the T3x in .223
I put 90 rounds through the T1x in .22LR

I'm pretty sure I know that I shouldn't clean the .22LR again until the accuracy falls off (right?), but when do I clean the barrel of the T3x next? Now for the next range trip? Or do I wait until accuracy falls off?

Geez it was fun! I had both scopes zero'd in 3 shots for each rifle... and although I've never shot before, I was putting dime sized 3 shot groups together with the T1x at 50 yards! I couldn't believe it :). The most fun was after I was done at the 100 meter range, I went over and threw 10 shots at the steel gong with my T3x at our 300 meter range - hit the gong with every shot with a little hold over.

Thanks for the help,
Colin

2922s1c.jpg
 
Great shooting.
I guess next you give them both a wipe down with an oily cloth.
You may want to swab out the barrel on your T3x before storage.
Look forward to the time when you can go do it again.

You might want to do the 50 yard 1/2 inch challenge.
It's 5 Five shot groups on the same page 1/2 center to center with no sighters, or fliers.
Here is the link.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...s-at-50-yards-meters-all-day!-Really-Prove-it!
Have fun!
 
quikcolin said:
I put 90 rounds through the T1x in .22LR

I'm pretty sure I know that I shouldn't clean the .22LR again until the accuracy falls off (right?), but when do I clean the barrel of the T3x next? Now for the next range trip? Or do I wait until accuracy falls off?
Click to expand...

Ninety rounds on one trip is not a lot and accuracy may well not suffer the next time. But why not clean the barrel after every range trip, especially after those when you shoot more than two boxes of ammo? After all, it won't hurt the rifle and if anything it would keep the rifle ready to do its best next time at the range. Hunters often don't clean every day because they often have no cause to shoot a great deal, unless they are shootin something for which there is no limit.

In any case, if you're meticulous about keeping your T3X bore well cared for, why not do the same for the T1X.
 
grauhanen said:
Ninety rounds on one trip is not a lot and accuracy may well not suffer the next time. But why not clean the barrel after every range trip, especially after those when you shoot more than two boxes of ammo? After all, it won't hurt the rifle and if anything it would keep the rifle ready to do its best next time at the range. Hunters often don't clean every day because they often have no cause to shoot a great deal, unless they are shootin something for which there is no limit.

In any case, if you're meticulous about keeping your T3X bore well cared for, why not do the same for the T1X.
Click to expand...

I have read that a “dirty barrel shoots better” until it’s “too dirty”. I read that the break in requirements for a.22LR aren’t as strict as a .223 or greater (doesn’t make sense to me... to be honest). I just thought that by cleaning too often accuracy can suffer?
 
quikcolin said:
I have read that a “dirty barrel shoots better” until it’s “too dirty”. I read that the break in requirements for a.22LR aren’t as strict as a .223 or greater (doesn’t make sense to me... to be honest). I just thought that by cleaning too often accuracy can suffer?
Click to expand...

A .22LR barrel doesn't need any "break in" although some shooters say some barrels shoot better after a few bricks down the bore. Manufacturers such as Anschutz, for example, do not have or advocate any break in requirements. Centerfire is an altogether different issue.

An improperly cleaned barrel can result in accuracy suffering. That goes for any rifle, centerfire and rimfire. Improper cleaning can lead to damaging the chamber, rifling, or crown. Use a bore guide and a good quality cleaning rod and the risk of damage all but disappears. If you expect your CF rifle to perform better with a clean bore, there's no reason to treat a rimfire rifle differently. There's an argument to be made that cleaning is unnecessary until accuracy falls off, but it's strongest proponents probably use bulk ammo and aren't well acquainted with rimfire accuracy.
 
quikcolin said:
Hey guys,

I just got back in from 3 hours at the range this morning and had the time of my life! I broke in my Tikka T3x .223 (cleaned after each shot for the 1st 5 shots, then cleaned after 5 shots until I hit 20 rounds) and also my Tikka T1x (I only cleaned it once, after the first 5 rounds and then let er' rip).

I put 35 rounds through the T3x in .223
I put 90 rounds through the T1x in .22LR

I'm pretty sure I know that I shouldn't clean the .22LR again until the accuracy falls off (right?), but when do I clean the barrel of the T3x next? Now for the next range trip? Or do I wait until accuracy falls off?

Geez it was fun! I had both scopes zero'd in 3 shots for each rifle... and although I've never shot before, I was putting dime sized 3 shot groups together with the T1x at 50 yards! I couldn't believe it :). The most fun was after I was done at the 100 meter range, I went over and threw 10 shots at the steel gong with my T3x at our 300 meter range - hit the gong with every shot with a little hold over.

Thanks for the help,
Colin

2922s1c.jpg
Click to expand...

Buy more guns as you may get bored just shooting the two one you have once you have them zeroed in and shooting well.
 
What next? "lather, rinse, repeat" :) Sounds like you're off to a great start. I honestly don't know what a 90 round rimfire outing looks like....my average range session with the 22(s) is probably 250-300. Often more. :) However, if this is your first outing...sounds like you had a stellar one. Nice guns too! I'm creeping towards my first Tikka at the moment. Is that an add-on/cheek riser on the T3?

Re: cleaning~I've read in several places that residue left in the bore can be detrimental, if only because it can hold moisture where bare metal lightly oiled=almost zero chance of that. I'm sometimes tempted to just wipe them down with oil (exterior) before putting in the safe...then I remember that concern and at the very least, run a few lightly oiled patches through. I like the 20/20 Concepts pull-through, abrasive/felt pads for a quick after-shoot cleaning. In fact, I ran this alone for years~22LR and .223.

For a one-stop shop on rods/bore guides (the best) give Brad a call @ Nordic (CGN sponsor) and he'll set you up. I like the Pro Bore rods, he's even had a bore guide made for my CZ 527 in 17 Hornet.

Beyond that~get into hand loading. If factory ammo is shooting that well from your .223....start hand loading and watch the small groups get smaller! :)

grauhanen said:
A .22LR barrel doesn't need any "break in" although some shooters say some barrels shoot better after a few bricks down the bore. Manufacturers such as Anschutz, for example, do not have or advocate any break in requirements. Centerfire is an altogether different issue.

An improperly cleaned barrel can result in accuracy suffering. That goes for any rifle, centerfire and rimfire. Improper cleaning can lead to damaging the chamber, rifling, or crown. Use a bore guide and a good quality cleaning rod and the risk of damage all but disappears. If you expect your CF rifle to perform better with a clean bore, there's no reason to treat a rimfire rifle differently. There's an argument to be made that cleaning is unnecessary until accuracy falls off, but it's strongest proponents probably use bulk ammo and aren't well acquainted with rimfire accuracy.
Click to expand...
 
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