To clean or not to clean ?

[powdergun]

I have a Ruger that is currently shooting very very well. It has about 20 rounds down the pipe and it started clean. The rifle shoots better on a dirty barrel. My dilemma is I want to clean the rifle but my brain tells me not to.

Is there any danger of corrosion and such if I leave it alone and clean it after the hunting season ? The ammo used is not corrosive and the rifle has a stainless barrel.


I'm a clean freak when it comes to guns so it sure is hard to leave it dirty

 

[Win94]

I would clean it, shoot a three shot group to foul it then let it sit till you need for the fall. Or just leave it. Your not going to hurt it.

 

[sunray]

Twenty rounds isn't enough to get it truly dirty. However, if it rains, etc when you're hunting, clean it.

 

[Win94]

Actaully Sunray is right. I never noticed the round count mentioned. 20 rounds means your barrel is fouled nicely. Don't touch it.

 

[Amphibious]

all my rifles shoot best with a fouled bore.

 

[Win94]

I can't remember ever owning a gun that shot best perfectly clean???

 

[ninepointer]

How long would you leave a barrel dirty? Doesn't powder attract moisture from the air?

 

[bearhunter]

leave it until the end of hunting season. I would run a very lightly oiled brush down the bore a few times, to get rid of the powder residue, then a dry patch. When hunting season is over, then get rid of the copper.

I have quite a few rifles that shoot better from a clean barrel, but they aren't hunting rifles, other than the 6.5x55 Tikka T3 that I picked up from Troutseeker a few years ago.

By the way, that "Ballistol" is great stuff, it works perfectly for a bore that is to be left slightly fouled and still protects it without any significant change in POI. bearhunter

 

[JEC]

It is important for a hunting rifle to put the first shot where you point it! Before hunting season, I shoot the rifle I am going to use with a cold / clean barrel at the same target on at least five different days. Typically, the point of impact will be close each time ... and I get a decent group.
It is not uncommon for the point of impact to change a bit after the barrel is fouled or when it is warm. A "fouled" warm barrel will probably not produce the same result as a fouled cold barrel. So, what will your barrel be like when you take that first shot. Cold!
In most cases, if you have to shoot a second time, the pinpoint accuracy you would like may not be there because you are a bit excited about "missing" with the first. Or maybe that animal isn't patient enough to hold still for the follow-up.....

 

[martinbns]

I routinely let my rifles go for 100 rounds between cleanings. You aren't doing it any harm if you use elctrical tape over the muzzle and wipe down the exposed metal with a light oil until the end of hunting season.

 

[Northman999]

Don't fret about cleaning all the time.

My father has a Ruger #1 in 375 H&H and honest to God, once per DECADE, he takes it in to a gunsmith for cleaning and that's it. And he shoots it quite a bit, I'd say nearly 2000 rounds so far. And this rifle gets used as a push-stick when boat launching and for whatever crazy thing my father can think of. And I've seen him put down moose at 550 yards with one shot from it. Freaky reliable and freaky abused. My father hunted all his life and has several firearms and he doesn't even own a cleaning kit! I know he's extreme, but when I hear guys wanting to clean every 20 rounds I just have to laugh.

If it ain't broke don't fix it!

 

[troutseeker]

I only clean when I have time for it. ANd I eldom have that time... It will be fine as is and for some time to come.

Troutseeker

 

[Griffoneur]

I routinely let my rifles go for 100 rounds between cleanings. You aren't doing it any harm if you use elctrical tape over the muzzle and wipe down the exposed metal with a light oil until the end of hunting season.

Aren't you creating a moisture barrier by plugging up the open end of the barrel?

 

[SuperCub]

I do the copper thing every 50rds or so depending on the fouling present in the bore. I hunt with the bore fouled, no oil. Where I hunt here, I'm usually home at night so I don't clean or oil after the gun gets wet, I set the gun by the woodstove to get it dry ASAP. I've never had rust problems in the bore or out.


.

 

[RobertMcC]

I routinely let my rifles go for 100 rounds between cleanings. You aren't doing it any harm if you use elctrical tape over the muzzle and wipe down the exposed metal with a light oil until the end of hunting season.

That causes more rusting then you think it suppose to prevent. I had a dust cap on my Service rifle, even in the hot ass desert, Because Hot in the day cold at night, I was having my Flash hider rusting all the time and any covered up metal. Also it effected my first shot... If I had to fire wile it was still on.