Clean / Don't Clean match rifle

In the center fire world it's scrub, scrub and more scrubing. However, with the 22 rimfires, match rifles that is, it seems such is not the case.

I'd be interested in hearing what the both the 22 F-Class and bench rest shooters have to say on this issue.

Thanks

I've narrowed it down to cleaning after 2 matches. The 2nd match will be better and the accuracy will start to deteriorate during the 3rd.

Think ill clean mine in the am before I sight my new scope in.

But I cleaned mine after about 1k rounds

You'll get no definitive answer here to that question...It's like what ammo your gun likes...each rifle is different.

Personally I have not shot my match 22 rifle enough lately to be able to determine if there is much difference.

Much of it is in your head...and that's important....IF you are not happy or confident in your gear...it affects you....

I don't see the F class shooters worrying about it all that much..I clean after 2 matches....have never shot Benchrest...I know they are anal...

Bottom Line - You just gonna have get your own system

On 22 - I fall into the shoot em like a sewer pipe....When it starts "going away"...clean it slightly

If it aint broke - don't fix it

msredneck wrote:

On 22 - I fall into the shoot em like a sewer pipe....When it starts "going away"...clean it slightly

If it aint broke - don't fix it

I'm like that on everything except center fire corrosive.

Yeah now corrosive is a different deal

gun gets a dose of Murphy's oil soap and water about 30 sec after I quit shootn

I try really really hard to not shot any corrosive ammo...or steel case ammo...but that's just my preference

I am actually at a loss here ... I have done it both ways --- shoot them until I can not chamber another round and cleaned them shortly after shooting them .... the verdict is still out!!!!!!!!!!

captain-03 wrote:I am actually at a loss here ... I have done it both ways --- shoot them until I can not chamber another round and cleaned them shortly after shooting them .... the verdict is still out!!!!!!!!!!

Yep...that's been my experience...

Thus my "no definitive answer" statement

I know everybody has their own cleaning program some works some don't. Here is some food for thought,

(1) Rimfire ammo is not corrosive. BUT: the powder residue that stays in the barrel attracts moisture which leads to rust.

(2) There is a lead ring that forms in the chamber and it dont take a lot of shots to do so. That ring distorts the bullet that leads to inaccuracy.

(3) Whithout proper cleaning equipment it is probably best not to clean often.

This is just my 3 Cents and everybody should do what works for them. As I said this is just food for thought......

Since this is in the rimfire section - I'm speaking mainly on 22 here

Sorry - I don't buy the powder residue leads to rust issue..there is so much freaking lube on most quality 22 bullets these days...nope...maybe if you don't keep your guns in a climate controlled environment. ?

Its the priming compound in corrosive ammo that causes most of rust the problems with that ammo..I'm not aware of corrosive 22 ammo...I'm sure its out there...I aint a shootn' it

I agree with having proper cleaning equipment...read good cleaning rod (not the cheap stainless steel screw-togethers) and a bore guide...guess you 10/22 semi-auto fans are screwed there

If I can add some personal info. For a bolt gun, such as the Winchester 52D and any Anschutz, I personally never cleaned the bore during match season and saw incredible accuracy. Pre season i would run 50-100 rds through to get the most accuracy. For autoloaders I have tried this method to find that the accuracy with my 10/22 is great for about 1k rds or so, then it starts to fall off due to chambering issues, so I will run a dry patch through and just get the top off. Again this has been my personal observations. I had some team members that would dry patch after every match, but no solvent until after the season. I agree with CK, you are taking a risk of moisture collecting and rust forming, but keep the guns in a climate controlled area and allow them to "climatize" for about 30 min prior to shooting and you should be able to reduce the risk.

I´m cleaning ( removing lead) my Anschütz only after the season, during the season a bore snake with oil is enough.

Right now I'm doing match, clean, shoot ten rounds, match yadda yadda
Of course this is subject to change :-)

You get lead carbon ring build up in the throat will start compressing bullet down in size and then it rattle's down the bore and accuracy is lost? If a 24 to 28 inch barrel is used and beside the lead carbon ring build up, you have lead building up toward's the muzzle also? It take's around 10-20 round's to foul the barrel back and the accuracy will come back for some time? But as long as tne barrel is kept at operating temp it's good, but when it cool's back down the accuracy is lost again? We have to deal with this in Benchrest Shooting with our rifle's? We have so many round's we can through one before cleaning the barrel is needed to bring back the accuracy? The bore and chamber make up has alot to do with how long the accuracy will last? YBRF Rambo
PS: Just remember that lead once compressed it will not spring back like a jacketed bullet will, so a slightly tapered bore will also help with accuracy and the bore diameter is not to big or out of spec's?

Probably more damage is done with bad cleaning equipment than not cleaning at all. Always use a rod guide either in the breech or muzzle. I usually shoot 300-500 rounds before fully cleaning any of my .22 rifles or pistols. In semi-autos I make sure the actions are wiped off and lubricated.