General bore cleaning routine, powder/copper fouling

[MartyK2500]

When i started, i was told you clean the powder fouling each time you come back from the range (i shoot 50 to 100 per visit) and only take care of copper once accuracy declines.

Been a slow weekend and been watching you tube, seems like some guys are not even maintaining for powder fouling, as it keeps bore ready for next time, and won't have to deal with cold bore shots as much.

I am well equiped to take care of rifle and have a good (at least i think i do) method for cleaning.
I'll ask this question and get the feel for what guys do,

If running rifle in dry environments, how many rounds do you shoot before dealing with powder fouling? And how many rounds do you shoot before dealing with copper fouling? If you want to mention make and caliber that would be great

 

[J996]

I use Wipeout foam every 300-400 rounds, nothing more. I have over 3K rounds fired and all is well.

Edit to add: 308, AW rifle.

 

[MartyK2500]

So after 300-400 rounds you let the wipeout sit in the bore and remove all the coppering?
No powder fouling maintenance in the meantime?

 

[Mystic Precision]

Every bore is different, keep notes and see when you need to maintain your barrel and to what degree.

Some barrels need to be dirty... some barrels taper off badly after a certain point....

Some bullet/barrel combos need alot of TLC... some is best left alone outside of rust prevention.

So there is no one answer...... test and find out for you rifle...

Jerry

 

[MartyK2500]

Yes i will need to spend time monitoring groups and maintenance round count.
Could it be a good idea to regularly use chronograph as i go and also note results?

Using a savage 10TR 5R rifling barrel, hornady match bthp bullets, time will tell how tight it can stay when dirty

 

[J996]

So after 300-400 rounds you let the wipeout sit in the bore and remove all the coppering?
No powder fouling maintenance in the meantime?

Yes, I leave it in there for one hour and then patch out. Hardly any copper fouling but we are talking a high end ss barrel.

 

[MartyK2500]

Thanks for the reply
Do you go 300/400 with zero maintenance?
Then all do your powder/copper fouling at once?

 

[J996]

Yes.

 

[maynard]

I have gone over 800 without touching the bore and still won matches. During the Canadian Fullbore Rifle Champonships many shooter will go all week without cleaning. Others clean every 3 days or about every 150 rounds, some clean when the groups start to open up. There is not right or wrong on when to clean, the barrel will let you know. The only people that tell you that you need to clean every day are the people that sell cleaning products.

 

[rugbydave]

I normally clean every 300-400 rounds. I also make a point of noting if there is a clean, cold bore shift when I check zero after cleaning.

 

[MartyK2500]

Sounds good, in the next range visits i will not be cleaning whatsoever and take some notes.
Once cleaned i will also see how long does it take to become accurate again, and how long before groups open.
I guess i will figure my cleaning cycle that way

 

[Cappy]

Unless the rifle gets wet or dirty I typically do nothing unless accuracy falls off. My current. 308 has 1235 rounds since last cleaning. My shooting partner has almost 3500 now and I know of guys who have gone the enitre life of the barrel.