Cleaning a 308

[Macmathews]

I have gotten the cleaning procedure down , but am unsure on how many shots before I clean ?

I have read 20 - 80 , but would like to clean less than more.

Gun is 5r 308 , using varget and amaxs

Also what is a good oil to use after cleaning ?

Thanks

Kyle

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: Cleaning a 308

my 308 had around 600rds on it before it's last cleaning

 

[Jrb572]

Re: Cleaning a 308

Clean as needed. When accuracy falls off. Clean for carbon but no copper solvents. Do not destroy your barrel cleaning it every 20-80 rounds.

 

[gathumper]

Re: Cleaning a 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jrb572</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Clean as needed. When accuracy falls off. Clean for carbon but no copper solvents. Do not destroy your barrel cleaning it every 20-80 rounds. </div></div>

^^^^^^^^
This!

Also, I do not use any type of metal brushes in my barrels.

 

[peaceatwar]

Re: Cleaning a 308

I'm no expert but I take a patch to the chamber, give the bolt a good wipe, and a couple drops of Hoppes #9 then run a bore-snake after every range trip. I don't plan on doing anything more until I see accuracy degrade. However I'm open to doing less.

 

[JB02]

Re: Cleaning a 308

80 rounds is too often. 400 is more like it.

 

[Trigger Time 23]

Re: Cleaning a 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LCDR JGB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">80 rounds is too often. 400 is more like it. </div></div>
Agree- watch for the accuracy to degrade and then clean.

 

[Grizzdude]

Re: Cleaning a 308

what after a shooting session, you don't at least clean the carbon out? I thought when accuracy falls off that's when you use a copper solvent to clean.

 

[3-0-hate]

Re: Cleaning a 308

I usually go around 2-400 rounds in between cleaning.

I only patch my bore. I will never run a brush down it. I also will not use copper solvents unless absolutely necessary. The copper transfer in the lands and grooves actually help accuracy by filling in the micro-grooves and any small tool marks that could cause accuracy issues.

My process is as follows:
If really, really, excessively dirty I will use a sparing amount of M-Pro7 bore gel, let soak for 10 mins then dry patch out. I will then follow up with my normal cleaning procedure of..
Square patch around Parker-Hale jag with Hoppes #9, repeated patching until patch is light grey or white.
Followed up with dry patches until patch looks clean
Very small amount of oil on patch, followed by one dry patch down the barrel.

Thats it, except for the bolt.. That gets cleaned like anything else..

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Re: Cleaning a 308

So no brushing whatsoever--not even a nylon?

Would this procedure change for 300wm since more and slower powder?

Dare I ask folks thoughts on J-B or Isso after that 400-600 round mark?

 

[3-0-hate]

Re: Cleaning a 308

Same procedure for any rifle IMO. No brushes for me. No need. The patches work wonders with the proper jag setup.

https://www.deweyrods.com/cart/index.php?route=product/category&path=87_90

I never use bore paste or lapping compound in the bore unless something is seriously wrong with the accuracy of the rifle and I have ruled everything else out first. I consider it a last resort.

 

[Grizzdude]

Re: Cleaning a 308

For some reason I swear the 50 BMG takes a hell of a lot of patches to get clean.

 

[Armed Ferret]

Re: Cleaning a 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Will in Kenai</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So no brushing whatsoever--not even a nylon?
</div></div>

Many solvents will turn nylon brushes into melted nylon brushes. Good jag and properly-sized patches will work wonders. for a really stubborn barrel i've occasionally used a lower-caliber brush wrapped with a patch just to give it a little extra scrubbing power. but that's few and far between.

 

[samnev]

Re: Cleaning a 308

Same here.I only run a patch with a little Hoppe's # 9 after 2-300 rounds. I never use any of the harsh solvent unless I see green residue on my patches and then use very little. My bother cleans his rifle after every range shoot and wonders why his groups are never consistent.

 

[jjones88]

Re: Cleaning a 308

I'll bore snake mine when I shoot it, but I won't clean the copper out till accuracy falls off. Usually I can get in 300 to 400 rounds before this happens.

 

[40xs]

Re: Cleaning a 308

Kyle, I am new to the Hide, however, not new to shooting and competition. On your inquiry on cleaning ; Whenever I return home from an F/class match, which can use up between 125 to 175 rounds of ammo, I only run several wet patches through my bore until they come out fairly clean. then I run adry patch to take out any amount of cleaner and then run a patch with light oil. Of course I clean the receiver and bolt, etc. as well. I never use a brush in the bore. A fellow F/open shooter whom I have great respect for told me that all metals have very small cracks and fissures in the surface and takes a break-in period to fill in all those so called fissures to a smoother surface. So why "dig" it all back out?

 

[Minarix]

Re: Cleaning a 308

i have the 5R myself, i just use patches on a hook, and i use very little solvent, i take a Q-tip and dip it in the bottle, and plot it around the patches, and run it through about 3 times, then i use 2-3 patches with no solvent, to get the rest of the solvent/gunk out.

 

[Bone318]

Re: Cleaning a 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jjones88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'll bore snake mine when I shoot it, but I won't clean the copper out till accuracy falls off. Usually I can get in 300 to 400 rounds before this happens. </div></div>

Mine's similar to this. I used to clean after every competition (50 rounds/ month), but now go 300 ~ 500 rounds between. I don't go over 500 rounds, as at that point, I don't know when accuracy will fall off and I don't want it to be during a match. I will run a bore snake through 3 or 4 times every 100 rounds or so between cleanings. I generally only use Hoppe's #9 and a jag, but will wet brush if the carbon is really stingy.

Jerry

 

[Lukas Koukal]

Re: Cleaning a 308

400 rounds seems like a consent to go with between wet cleanings with most rifles. I clean mine a little more often only because I don´t have a chance to shoot them as much and want to have them cleaned for prolonged storage. Boresnake before first round to ensure clean bore.

 

[Tackman11]

Re: Cleaning a 308

Shoot it until your groups start to open then clean it.