.22 rifle cleaning question

[sawdeanz]

So my first concern was less than a week after my first outing, I saw surface rust on the barrel from failing to oil, does this mean that there is also rust in the barrel? Is a quick lube sufficient to prevent this or do I also have to scrub the lead off first? Is clp sufficient, if not what? Lastly do you find a cleaning rod or pull through device better?
Thanks for addressing my questions.

 

[CraigC]

No, the bore is usually protected with a film of bullet lube. I'm of the school of thought that a .22LR bore should never be cleaned unless it is leaded. Which is just about never.

 

[jj1962hemi]

I don't think it means rust in the barrel at all. I have a WWII mauser with a pitted and lumpy outside (on the bluing) rusted barrel with a clean bore (inside the barrel). I'd get something like Remoil or Hoppe's gun oil rather than CLP for inside the barrel because, especially with a 22 having such a small bore, the oils are thinner and will flow better through the barrel. You don't have to scrub the lead out, but you can use something like Hoppe's lead solvent on a patch. I don't use this every time I clean mine. Regarding pulling a patch or brush through, I've never tried that, but imagine it would be tough with a 22. Somebody with more knowledge out here should advise on getting the rust off the outside of the barrel. I'm betting you could get away without having to abraid it, assuming it's not too deep. Good luck! JJ

 

[Certaindeaf]

The inside of the bore, in your case, probably fared better than the outside because .22 bullets are externally lubed. You'll just have to eyeball the bore as well as you can, "feel" for resistance of the patch and prehaps look at the patch.
As for cleaning/lubing the inside of the bore, it depends on the rifle. Always try to clean from the breech. I prefer a good one-piece steel rod. Good luck.

 

[jrdolall]

I use both. For a "fluff and buff" I use the pull through once time and a well used rag to wipe down the outside. For the guns that get a lot of rounds through them I will strip them down and do a complete cleaning but that is after 500-1,000 rounds have gone through them. Surface rust is not good but should not affect the performance of the gun. Keep it under control and the gun will last long after you are gone.

 

[sawdeanz]

thanks for the quick replies,the surface rust wiped right off with a little oil so I'm not so worried about that. I was shooting bulk pack non-coper plated rounds. Are those still sufficiently lubed to protecy the barrel? I'm not opposed to getting a cleaning kit but with the controversy surrounding cleaning .22 barrels I wanted to make sure I prevented the bore from rusting

 

[aka108]

One of my rifles I have had since 1949. The only product that has been used on it for cleaning and rust prevention is Hoppes No. 9. The bore gets cleaned about 1X per year. When it comes back from the range bolt is removed and cleaned and the breech area simply wiped a bit and dried. All the blued external metal gets wiped with Hoppes and the dried. It has been kept in climate controlled and non climate controlled spaces over its life and there is zero rust on it or in it.

 

[22-rimfire]

I was shooting bulk pack non-coper plated rounds. Are those still sufficiently lubed to protecy the barrel? I'm not opposed to getting a cleaning kit but with the controversy surrounding cleaning .22 barrels I wanted to make sure I prevented the bore from rusting.

Yes, the common lead rounds have a lube on them and that does protect the barrel to some degree. The copper washed rounds actually have very little lube on the bullets.

You should purchase a cleaning kit in order that you can clean the bore when the time comes. Everyone should have the tools to clean their firearms. I would suggest you run a slightly oily patch through the barrel. It will be very clear if there is any rust when you look at the patch. I suspect there won't be.

There is no "controversy" concerning cleaning 22 rimfire barrels. Opinions vary. Most clean their 22's periodically. I personally clean mine when I notice a change in accuracy. But if I were putting a little used 22 into storage and not likely to shoot it, I'd clean it.

ALWAYS wipe the outside of the gun off with a little oil after shooting or handling it. That doesn't mean you squirt gobs of oil into the action or around the chamber. A prudent use of oil is always good on most any firearm.

 

[Naybor]

After an outing, I use a bore snake with a little oil on the front.
One or two swipes and the bore is good to go. Pull from the chamber end to the muzzle.

On the outside, I use paste wax. I learned this trick way back in my black powder days to prevent rust.