Clean Bolt Action

[gtrchase]

I've been stalking the forums here for a little while, and can't seem to find any information on cleaning a bolt action rifle. I've checked the FAQ's and tried the searches, but can't find anything. A quick Google shows a plethora of information, but it's all over the map. I'm looking for care and maintenance of a precision rifle. Specifically, the where, what, how and why of oiling and greasing (bolt, firing spring, and/or action), and cleaning the trigger group.

Few more details. I've done plenty of cleanings on my Glock, Shotguns, and SKS rifle, but I just picked up a Remington 700 AAC-SD (which seems to be recently popular on this forum). I cleaned it according to the manual as soon as I got it, just looking for ways to keep it in peak condition. My other firearms can take a little more abuse when it comes cleaning.

Thanks,
gtrchase

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

A full strip on a bolt action is extremely infrequent unless you get a ton of powder like crud in your action. As far as barrels go, I clean when accuracy starts to fall off. I use the Iosso stuff sold by Rifles Only.

Trigger maintenance should be very infrequent unless you find yourself shooting in the desert with wind blowing crap all over your action. If the trigger gets gritty or starts to malfunction, a quick douse of lighter fluid should free up any gunk. Let it evaporate and then give it some oil.

Firing pin and shroud I rarely mess with. I might pull it out every 1K rounds to check it, but I have not found that excessive worrying about these parts have ever improved my shooting.

I will give the bolt a quick shot of CLP or other lubricant after each trip to keep the pores of the metal lubricated. I do not think it is totally necessary - I just like to give the outside a quick wipe down with a rag and CLP.

I am not anal about cleaning, but some are. YMMV.

Josh

 

[TimResin]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

The last time I cleaned was maybe 400 rounds ago. Accuracy is still a .5moa.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

As far as the bolt goes, I occasionally spray it out with carb cleaner, up into the shroud and anywhere else there is an opening, let it evaporate then lube it with a light oil. Rem oil works quite well for the thnkgs like the innards of the bolt and the trigger.

 

[customones]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

I have a couple of actions a lawton and a lawton clone that don't require much maintenance a wiping down and oiling is sufficient. I also have a bat machine receiver that is a little more demanding and needs to be cleaned often due to the tolerances. Lighter fluid as above mentioned works well.

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

I just run a swab of #9 down the barrel, let her soak a bit, run a few dry patches, the a light coat of oil on a patch.

Only do this after range practice, never go "full-on" cleaning it. Too many people clean their barrels to death.

Light wipe of oil on the bolt, barrel, action, any metal.

Before I shoot, run a dry patch down the barrel to remove any excess oil, condensation, dirt, whatever just to keep my barrel from being plugged. YMMV.

 

[redirt78]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gtrchase</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been stalking the forums here for a little while, and can't seem to find any information on cleaning a bolt action rifle. I've checked the FAQ's and tried the searches, but can't find anything.</div></div> It will still be all over the map but here is a great SH tool.

CUSTOM SNIPER'S HIDE SEARCH ENGINE

Enter "cleaning" and after you read some of those give "break in" a try haha. Seriously though, its a good search engine.

 

[cavemanmoore]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MinorDamage</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> If the trigger gets gritty or starts to malfunction, a quick douse of lighter fluid should free up any gunk. Let it evaporate and then <span style="font-weight: bold">give it some oil</span>.</div></div>

Josh,

My understanding is that the trigger is NEVER to be oiled. It needs to be run clean and bone dry.

Feedback is always welcome.
-Chris

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cavemanmoore</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MinorDamage</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> If the trigger gets gritty or starts to malfunction, a quick douse of lighter fluid should free up any gunk. Let it evaporate and then <span style="font-weight: bold">give it some oil</span>.</div></div>

Josh,

My understanding is that the trigger is NEVER to be oiled. It needs to be run clean and bone dry.

Feedback is always welcome.
-Chris </div></div>

I have never oiled my TRG trigger, but my Remingtons would get a dab of 3 in 1 sewing machine oil every now and again. When I say dab I mean one tiny drop out of the applicator. Then I blow it off with compressed air and it just leaves a thin film.

I had to do this after cleaning with lighter fluid because of grit in the trigger. The lighter fluid flushed it out but threw the pull off quite a bit. One dab and a blast of compressed air returned it to its former state. No issues with reliability or safety following.

Josh

 

[gtrchase]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: redirt78</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> It will still be all over the map but here is a great SH tool.

CUSTOM SNIPER'S HIDE SEARCH ENGINE

Enter "cleaning" and after you read some of those give "break in" a try haha. Seriously though, its a good search engine.</div></div>

Yeah, I tried the Custom Engine before I posted and all I found was barrel related stuff. I was looking more for behind the barrel, the action and trigger. Ironically, this post floated up to the top after I posted.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2076516#Post2076516

 

[VKC]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

how about the bolt face, anything special that you guys do to get off the caked on carbon ring without scratching it?

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

I suggest a good bore guide and quality ball bearing cleaning rods. Check out Sinclair International for these. I prefer Dewey cleaning rods, but Boretech also seem popular. As for cleaning solutions, I STRONGLY recommend Butches Bore Shine. It does a great job on powder residue and a pretty good job on copper fouling. And it's perfectly safe to let sit in the barrel for a prolonged length of time. It puts an excellent shine down the barrel. for very stubborn fouling I use Sweets. But be careful with this stuff. It can eat the barrel if left in too long.

I clean my gun after every session. It's what i was taught when learning bench rest shooting. I start with a brush soaked in Butches. I pass it down the barrel one time for each shot fired. Then I follow that with patches soaked in Butches until they come out clean. Then finally a dry patch. Clean off your brass brushes with rubbing alcohol to clean the Butches off and keep your brush from turning blue. And that's it. You're GTG.

I clean the bolt face with a Q-Tip. Soaked in Butches followed by a dry one. I rarely take the bolt apart to clean the spring and firing pin. I usually take my muzzle brake off prior to cleaning the barrel and hit it with some compressed air. And I clean the crown with a patch after I clean the barrel. Then put the brake back on.

 

[willlongrifle]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

+ 1 on Hoppes #9 and Dewey rod. Great for bore and bolt.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: Clean Bolt Action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vkc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how about the bolt face, anything special that you guys do to get off the caked on carbon ring without scratching it?</div></div>

If you're getting a whole lot of carbon on your boltface then you might need to take a look at the ammo you're using. But soaking it in the liquid wipeout for about 45 min to an hour should loosen it up to the point you can get it off with wipes and/or a nylon brush.