How to clean precision rifle?

spts05

Private
Minuteman
Feb 17, 2011
99
0
53
Texas
I have a GA Precision rifle and just noticed that the entire action was loose. I went ahead and removed the action from the stock and there is quite a bit of dirt and grass in there. I have recently taken a 6 day class at Rifles Only so it got a small work out. I am wondering how to clean this weapon correctly and thoroughly without gumming things up, or using a cleaner that would mess something up. I normally use rem oil all over with a nylon brush and a barrel snake. I don't normally take the entire action out so what do I do with the trigger mech. ? What kind of cleaner can I put on inside of stock? Any advice?
 
Re: How to clean precision rifle?

Regular post- firing I just snake the bore, wipe down the external surfaces and wipe out the action and bolt. I then apply very light lubrication (Militec 1) to the bolt body and a dap of grease (TW25b) to the back of the bolt lugs and cocking cam.

If the rifle has been wet, then I remove the action from the stock, blow everything out with compressed air. Wipe it down with lube. Wipe it off. Flush the trigger out with lighter fluid (Zippo Brand) then blow it out. Torque everything back together.

At 500 or so rounds I do the post firing cleaning and I also run a brush and some patches of Hoppes #9 down the tube followed by some dry patches. I then swab out the chamber and call it a night. I don't try to scrub the rifling out of the barrel.

If you are getting dirt under the action, something is wrong. Dirt and crap in the barrel channel is a fact of life. It's why I like lots of gap up there on a working rifle. If I can't "dental floss" it with 550 cord (stripped or not) then the gap is too close.
 
Re: How to clean precision rifle?

Good info and too the point. Thanks a lot. I'm all over it! What about the inside of the fiberglass stock. It has a little bit of wetness or grease and oil or something on it. Do I wipe it clean and leave it dry?
 
Re: How to clean precision rifle?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Flush the trigger out with lighter fluid (Zippo Brand) then blow it out. Torque everything back together.
</div></div>

Could you by chance explain what this does? I am just curious and still learning. Is it to just make sure everything is dry?
 
Re: How to clean precision rifle?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spts05</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What about the inside of the fiberglass stock.</div></div>

Wipe it off. Don't use any grease, oil or solvents on it. Fiberglass is not affected by water or dirt, but some cleaning solvents can damage it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeathByCactus</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Flush the trigger out with lighter fluid (Zippo Brand) then blow it out. Torque everything back together.
</div></div>

Could you by chance explain what this does? I am just curious and still learning. Is it to just make sure everything is dry? </div></div>

Lighter fluid is a very light petroleum product. It will dissolve grime, displace water and leave a very light film of lubricant on the surfaces. With the action over a catch can (bucket, etc) just squirt the lighter fluid into the trigger assembly from the top and let it drain out the bottom. It goes without saying to do this in a well ventilated area with no sources of ignition.
 
Re: How to clean precision rifle?

Thank's to all, ESP. Lone Wolf. Shortdraw, that's pretty funny. I did read GA's website but it didn't include info on action, trigger, or stock. Should I take apart bolt as well and clean and lube it all? How do I do that if so?
 
Re: How to clean precision rifle?

LoneWolf, when you torque your AI are you using the AI specs or just the max that the Borka tool allows ? I recall you saying a while ago you'd go with the Borka tool max capacity and see if the less than spec torque posed a problem.....just wondered if there was any noticeable diff when torqued slightly less than spec'd ? thx
 
Re: How to clean precision rifle?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJ.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">LoneWolf, when you torque your AI are you using the AI specs or just the max that the Borka tool allows ? </div></div>

I have been going with AI's spec for now. I may play with it in the future.
 
Re: How to clean precision rifle?

Such is life - we get them all cleaned up, only to long for when we get to shoot them, and get them all dirty again!
grin.gif
 
Re: How to clean precision rifle?

I use plain ol charcoal lighter fluid, which is naptha and same as Zippo, only cheaper and easy to find. A good lightweight solvent that is easy on most finishes.