Copper fouling

[sumpnz]

A quick question for all of you. How often should one clean the copper fouling in a rifle bore (I'm talking centerfire hunting rifles) to maintain accuracy? I've been doing that after each range session, but I'm wondering if that's overkill. Each range session is 15-40 rounds depending on my endurance and which rifle I'm shooting (lower round count for heavy recoiling calibers, higher for the light recoiling guns).

 

[USSR]

sumpnz,

Your routine sounds right to me. Assuming you have a factory barrel, it is going to copper foul pretty fast. I highly recommend Montana Extreme's 50BMG copper solvent.

Don

 

[nico]

you'll get as many opinions as answers, but I think you're over cleaning. I saw a thread just last night on snipershide (precision/long range shooting forum) where people were talking about going 100+ rounds between serious cleaning. I generally just use CLP and a few patches to get rid of powder fouling and use copper solvent when I get the urge. Also, removing copper from the bore can affect your zero so it might not be the best idea to do it before a hunt.

 

[YodaVader]

Will vary among individual rifles and the level of acceptable accuracy you are trying to achieve , again this will be different for every rifle.

For my own example, my Savage 12BVSS varmint .223 needs to be cleaned frequently to maintain the top level of accuracy obtainable with this rifle with me behind the trigger. Pretty much about as often as you describe with your rifle. Although I use this rifle for pure target work at the moment. For short range varminting the drop off in accuracy would probably not be enough to fuss with.

My 700LTR in .223 can go far more rounds than the 12BVSS and still deliver optimum accuracy although I'll usually clean before each range session usually with Shooter's Choice. The 700LTR has given me a high level of extremely consistent accuracy using this cleaning regiment.

I guess in the end there is no rule set in stone , what ever works for you and your individual rifle.

 

[GRIZ22]

It depends on the gun and the condition of the barrel and the type of ammo to my experience. I have a NEF 223 where the accurcay starts to fall off after 50-60 rounds. My ARs are good for a least a couple of hundred as are my M1s.

I know some very successful Garand competitors that say they only clean the barrel every 200-300 rounds and only completely clean their rifles every 3-4 months. Some say that a slight copper fouling smooths out irregularities in the barrel and makes the rifle more accurate.

 

[USSR]

For my own example, my Savage 12BVSS varmint .223 needs to be cleaned frequently to maintain the top level of accuracy obtainable with this rifle with me behind the trigger. Pretty much about as often as you describe with your rifle.

That's basically the difference between a factory barrel and a custom barrel -- the length of time you can go between clearing the bore of built up copper before accuracy falls off. With my Krieger-built tactical rifle and my FN SPR (chrome-lined), I can go 100+ rounds without a problem. With my Winchester Match rifle and my Sako (both factory barrels), I am cleaning early and often.

Don

 

[Strongbad]

A friend of mine at Shilen once told me "shoot until accuracy starts to fall off... then clean". That has always worked for me. The number of rounds of course varies from gun to gun.

 

[IndianaBoy]

I got tired of POI shifting so I quit cleaning my rifles until the end of hunting season.

Now every cold shot goes where it is supposed to.

Some rifles (I have a couple like this) will shoot to the same POI regardless of whether or not you clean them. My 30-06 will be affected and it takes 5 or 6 shots to shoot it back in to POA if I clean it.


I don't baby my guns anymore, and they treat me better, not worse.

 

[jacobhh]

I have to pretty much agree with USSR. I wouldn't personally use Montana Extreme every outing though. That stuff will emulsify anything carbon
based including all synthetics and presently known life forms.

It won't harm your barrel however.