You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Seasoned barrel vs clean
- Thread starter Oldly
- Start date
I'll offer some concluding thoughts on the "seasoned barrel vs clean" question.
First of all, the first few shots from a clean bore will not usually go to the expected POI. For most rifles barrels, some fouling is necessary to lubricate the bore evenly before consistent results can be expected.
Second, if a shooter is satisfied with the "it's good enough" standard or criteria for accuracy, then he may well be wasting his time and cleaning resources by cleaning his .22LR barrel. That standard may be perfectly adequate for plinking, hunting, and other .22LR shooting that doesn't aim for the highest levels of accuracy.
With most mass produced factory barrels on the vast majority of average rifles, it may be impossible to achieve particularly high levels of accuracy, no matter what ammo is used, match or otherwise. In other words, most factory barrels on the typical, non-expensive rifles that most shooters would be using -- be they from Europe or North America such as CZ, Tikka, Savage, Ruger etc. -- are, on average, not made to be especially accurate. In other words, they aren't expected to shoot one hole groups at 50 yards, and they usually don't. Rigorous cleaning protocols are less relevant, except to satisfy an owner that his rifle is clean and well-maintained.
More serious target shooters understand that with a good quality barrel, which is one of the key components of .22LR accuracy, performs best when it's regularly cleaned. Of course, a clean bore requires fouling shots to shoot as it should. Furthermore, the fouling -- the primary purpose of which to lubricate the bore to a consistent level -- should be relatively fresh. When the detritus of shooting rounds through a barrel are left unattended for a period of time, it dries and begins to harden. When that happens, a shot fired from a barrel with dried fouling can be off the expected POI. That's a reason why many BR competitors like to either clean between cards and refoul the barrel or shoot a fresh round into a berm when they are required to wait for an extended period of time between shots that count. Fresh fouling -- or more importantly, fresh bore lubrication -- is what's best for accuracy.
For most shooters with "average" rifles, the most important thing they can do to improve their accuracy results is not related to how often the bore is cleaned (although that is never a bad thing when done properly). The most important thing they can do is to use ammo that responds well to the particular rifle. No rifle, regardless whether it's a Vudoo, CZ, Tikka, or Savage, can outshoot the ammo used in it by the shooter.
First of all, the first few shots from a clean bore will not usually go to the expected POI. For most rifles barrels, some fouling is necessary to lubricate the bore evenly before consistent results can be expected.
Second, if a shooter is satisfied with the "it's good enough" standard or criteria for accuracy, then he may well be wasting his time and cleaning resources by cleaning his .22LR barrel. That standard may be perfectly adequate for plinking, hunting, and other .22LR shooting that doesn't aim for the highest levels of accuracy.
With most mass produced factory barrels on the vast majority of average rifles, it may be impossible to achieve particularly high levels of accuracy, no matter what ammo is used, match or otherwise. In other words, most factory barrels on the typical, non-expensive rifles that most shooters would be using -- be they from Europe or North America such as CZ, Tikka, Savage, Ruger etc. -- are, on average, not made to be especially accurate. In other words, they aren't expected to shoot one hole groups at 50 yards, and they usually don't. Rigorous cleaning protocols are less relevant, except to satisfy an owner that his rifle is clean and well-maintained.
More serious target shooters understand that with a good quality barrel, which is one of the key components of .22LR accuracy, performs best when it's regularly cleaned. Of course, a clean bore requires fouling shots to shoot as it should. Furthermore, the fouling -- the primary purpose of which to lubricate the bore to a consistent level -- should be relatively fresh. When the detritus of shooting rounds through a barrel are left unattended for a period of time, it dries and begins to harden. When that happens, a shot fired from a barrel with dried fouling can be off the expected POI. That's a reason why many BR competitors like to either clean between cards and refoul the barrel or shoot a fresh round into a berm when they are required to wait for an extended period of time between shots that count. Fresh fouling -- or more importantly, fresh bore lubrication -- is what's best for accuracy.
For most shooters with "average" rifles, the most important thing they can do to improve their accuracy results is not related to how often the bore is cleaned (although that is never a bad thing when done properly). The most important thing they can do is to use ammo that responds well to the particular rifle. No rifle, regardless whether it's a Vudoo, CZ, Tikka, or Savage, can outshoot the ammo used in it by the shooter.
. Furthermore, the fouling -- the primary purpose of which to lubricate the bore to a consistent level -- should be relatively fresh. When the detritus of shooting rounds through a barrel are left unattended for a period of time, it dries and begins to harden.
.[/QUOTE]
This is the part I was wondering about.
.[/QUOTE]
This is the part I was wondering about.
