Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

[wadcutter]

I have a private range and I fire off a couple of shots down range every second day or so.
I may only fire 2 or 3 shots, clean the rifle and put it back in the safe for next time. This is a pain in the butt and I was wondering if I was doing more damage to the barrel through overcleaning than just putting the rifle back in the safe uncleaned and then claening the bore say once a week instead.

What do you think?

 

[Longshot38]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

Yes you can clean a rifle to much. When it comes to cleaning a bore, don't clean until accuracy falls off. But nothing wrong with cleaning bolt and raceways after every firing.

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

yeah i don't do a amazing cleaning everytime i shoot, ususally i just wipe the bolt down with a rag and run a bore snake if the guns not that bad, if i've been running yard lines all day then i'll probably do more complete cleaning

 

[DaveV]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

This is one of the most discussed topics here. A search will bring up more threads than you have time or interest in reading. Opinions run strong, but the consensus here is to shoot until accuracy drops, then clean.

 

[desertHK]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

One can harm the barrel from cleaing too much. I usually clean it when my accuracy deteriorate, but that's just me.

 

[Rem700p]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

My accuracy is so finicky from session to session, I just clean around ever 250 to 300 rounds. Some days I'm hitting sub-moa and other days I'll shoot 10 times and the quit because I'm shooting so badly.

 

[Mike]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

No, no, I no clean.

 

[DaveV]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rem700p</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My accuracy is so finicky from session to session, I just clean around ever 250 to 300 rounds. Some days I'm hitting sub-moa and other days I'll shoot 10 times and the quit because I'm shooting so badly. </div></div>

Are you sure you're not talking about my range time?

 

[gugubica]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

no

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

I try to send more bullets down range then passes with a jag and patch down my bore.

 

[Chiller]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

My references are specific to the location I am shooting (desert southwest) there may be other environmental considerations that are relevant to you. That being said.
The group I shoot with;
700 rounds through a AIAE no cleaning (he also just placed first in the local comp)
600+ through my Surgeon and no cleaning
200+ through my Mentors “Rock” no cleaning (also drilling sub ½” MOA groups)
And the list goes on…

Jacob from RO gave some sage advice that more barrels are ruined from cleaning than are shot out.
Get to where you know your rifle. If accuracy begins to degrade then by all means clean it. Otherwise based on your comments yes you are likely over cleaning your rifle.

 

[michplinker]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

So is it ok to put the rifle away without cleaning it for a few days at a time? Or would you always want to at least clean the carbon out before storing it.

 

[Mike]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

a few days is fine. Remember we're talking about steel, and with custom barrels a high grade steel. And even though burned powder can be very corrosive, a few days or even a week or so is not going to hurt it.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

Or even three or four weeks.....in the trunk of a squad car......that dumps a trunkful of water on your drag bag everytime you open it.....

No problem with accuracy.

I spend more time shooting and dry firing than cleaning. It has a greater effect on accuracy.

 

[boomfab]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

I might run a bore snake with CLP through the bore and wipe out the chamber.

Bore solvents and cleaning rods? Close to never.

 

[HotIce]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

Let me guess. Trying to sell something on SH?

 

[Chiller]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

a bore snake is not unreasonable just dont see the OCD that you are describing.

 

[pazzo]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

I shoot several hundred before cleaning. I hate cleaning and feel it is overrated, btw.

I had a drop in accuracy the last time I cleaned it, so I figured I'll keep shooting... I have no trouble at 100 yds, and the same at 1000.

 

[TehLefty]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

Until today, I cleaned the shit out of my rifles so much, that the barrel would be a suitable funnel for a drinking device..

yeah, I know, weird way to explain it..leave me alone..

Today, I was shooting my Remmy..and thinking about a few other posts on here, I figured i'd shoot a group with a dirty bore, just for shits and giggles..
(Remember, I USED to clean after EVERY shot)

5 Shot .69" group, at 100 yards..
I used to shoot a .8 - .9" 3 shot group at 100

I will from now on, be cleaning every 3 weeks..on Sunday..period

 

[308sako]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

Deleted in protest!

 

[Quackaddict]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

Your cold bore wanders that much?

 

[308sako]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quackaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your cold bore wanders that much? </div></div>


I found it to be a very large change, the range or distance was 300 yards as such a little over 1 MOA.

 

[chrisj]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

Years ago when there was corrosive powders used in ammunition..you needed to clean the barrel after shooting, but modern powders negate that. I have fired rifles hundreds of rounds and put it back in the safe for a year and never cleaned it. When I took it out and ran a few wet patches through it, it was like a mirror. I say don't clean until you notice a drop in accuracy.

 

[Winny]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

My rifle and wife are the same....they like it dirty

 

[msuhunter]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

I am of the opinion that you should shoot it until your accuracy falls off and then clean it, but i havent decided wether to just use copper solvent on patches or to use the brush also

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Do you need to clean a rifle every time you shoot?

Quit cleaning.

Never use a brush.