Gun Cleaning

[onthefly]

I suppose I could open the owner's manual for my Browning A-Bolt 30-06, but I wanted to get everyone's take on what is good gun cleaning practice.

I usually just tear it down and coat all exposed metal with a good coat of oil. If I've fired the rifle, I'll run patches with bore solvent through the barrel. If not, just a swab with oil a few times.

Is that enough?

[Whoaru99]

Not much different than I do.

If I've shot quite a few rounds I'll run a brush through it a half-dozen times.

However, I use only a very light film of oil, not a "good coat", but that may just be a difference of terms for the same thing.

Also, I clean from the breech using a bore guide and a tube that helps prevent solvent and crud from falling down into the trigger mechanism.

[New Yankee]

I think you're most of the way there. Here's my two...I'd suggest buying some copper solvent and a '06 brass wire brush to get the fouling out. You'd be amazed at how much copper and powder fouling that can build up and won't be touched easily with regular powder solvent and a patch. Always run a wet patch through before using the brush, and wet it down as well when scrubbing. Follow the directions on the copper solvent - they usually suggest a couple of swipes with the brush then leaving it sit for a period of time before running patches through. When they come out clean, then a light coat of gun oil on the last patch - just a drop or two IMO will do it. If you're storing for the season may be heavier, but remember to run a clean dry patch through at the start of the year.

Clean from the bolt end with a good quality carbon steel rod as well. Make sure to put down plenty of newpaper to soak up spills - your wife will kill you when the solvent takes of the diningroom table finish....

If you really are hard on the gun or hunt in poor conditions you may have to pull the trigger assembly ever year or two, three depending on use of course.

Suspect you'll get more and likely better feedback from here - this is just what I do.

[WalleyeGod]

Place the rifle in a stand and remove the bolt/clip if applicable. If you need to clean from the muzzle be sure to have the proper bore guide to protect the crowning. If you need to clean from the breech be sure to use a bore guide also. Bore guides are possibly the most important item as well as a good rod. Apply solvent to the patch through the solvent port on the chamber guide.

I always start with lightly soaked patches through the bore. From the amount of dirt and fouling removed I determine the amount of brushing and copper solvent needed. I run a dry patch or two down the bore and look at the rifling. If fouling appears heavy, then I get the brush out.

I try to brush as little as possible, but with some guns and types of shooting, it is a must. With most rifle shooting I find the need to use a nylon brush and copper solvent after a day's shooting. If I have shot a lot or have cleaned lightly I then break out the bronze brush.

After I remove the fouling I use a soaked patch or two and then use dry patches until they come out clean. If I am not shooting the gun for a while, I will put one more very lightly soaked patch through. I then very lightly coat the firearm and wipe the stock down with a dry rag. WG

[charliepete2]

I think the bore snake might be the most handy thing invented for rifles. I also like the new injectable foam cleaners for cleaning and copper removal. I've never got my guns so clean before.

[Code-Man]

in the past years I have used the traditional stuff and well this year I got the foam stuff. Spray it let it set come back and its done. never been so easy before in my life. works wonders on my black powder gun.