Barrel Cleaning

[Genin]

Hey Guys,
I was wondering how often you clean your barrels? In my bolt gun I follow the rule that many here do with cleaning only if I notice an accuracy problem. Should I do the same with my AR? I clean the BCG, bolt, upper, etc after everytime I shoot, but am not sure if it is necessary to clean out my barrel after everytime I shoot.

 

[Andrew Blubaugh]

Re: Barrel Cleaning

Boltgun, every 400 rounds.

AR, I punch the bore approximately every 500 rounds. I clean the barrel about once a year and that is with 4-5K rounds down the tube in a year.

 

[Genin]

Re: Barrel Cleaning

thanks for the advice cowboy.

 

[TheRifleman]

Re: Barrel Cleaning

It depends, on the type of shooting you do, barrel material, climate you live in, etc. I use a 6mm AR in F-class, and clean (fouling check) after 20rds.

 

[BadBowtie03]

Re: Barrel Cleaning

what about stainless steel barrel cleaning? any different? do you have to clean as much you think? I use mainly fmj or hpbt match stuff... thanks

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: Barrel Cleaning

A fine custom barrel, I will go 300-500 rounds and use a few runs with Whip-Out, no brushes. My factory barrels go about 100-200 rounds and then need cleaning, again with Wipe-Out.

One of the issues with frequent cleaning is your barrel will take a few rounds to "settle down" or foul before it starts shooting good after stripping the barrel clean. Factory barrels often need to be cleaned more often and take more rounds to settle down after cleaning, my PSS requires about 7-10 rounds before it groups well, where most fine custom barrels are quite different requiring far less cleaning and fewer rounds fired after cleaning before they perform.

Kirk R