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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
#996737
10/29/09 12:32 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,479
ETXbuckman
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Does anyone know if cleaning/oiling a rifle barrel before shooting will effect the shot placement of the first bullet? I've always thought that the first round I fired after cleaning the inside of the barrel was just to "burn off" the excess oil and was likely to go anywhere but where I was aiming.
I had to shoot my 7 mag a few extra times yesterday and wanted to run some wet patches through before next weekend. If I were to run dry patches through afterward (until they come out totally dry) would, or should, that first shot be accurate? With my luck it would cost me a huge buck so I want to know what I'm getting in to before I pull the trigger (no pun intended).
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: ETXbuckman]
#996768
10/29/09 12:45 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,547
Johnny Lobos
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I've never had a gun where POI changed between a clean or dirty barrel.
I always take mine out fresh cleaned.
Last edited by Johnny Loco; 10/29/09 12:45 AM.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: ETXbuckman]
#996797
10/29/09 12:52 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694
Windrider
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I'm going to have to go with "it depends".
If your version of cleaning a rifle is to scour the bore until it is so clean that you can eat off of it, then you may need to put a few "fouling" shots down the bore so that it will return to "normal" or "settle" into it's normal groups.
If your version of cleaning a rifle is to get most of the gunk out, but leave a bit of seasoning in the "pores of the metal" (for lack of a better way to say it), then you will most likely not need a "fouling" shot or shots.
Personally, I get most of the gunk out then shoot three fouling shots. Let the barrel cool and shoot three shots for an evaluation group. The evaluation group has always been where it's supposed to be and the proper size.
Conversely, the first group is always a bit looser than normal, but not too bad except for one of my rifles that isn't quite fully broken in. It will send that first shot about 2 inches to the right.
Last edited by Windrider; 10/29/09 12:52 AM.
Thought for the day: Ducks were almost hunted to extinction long before camo was invented.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: Windrider]
#996824
10/29/09 12:59 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952
LFD2037
THF Trophy Hunter
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I have "read" many times that it "can" make a difference. If it does, I don't know. I do know that I sighted my rifle in about a week ago & I will not clean the barrel before rifle season is over. Only if for some reason it gets dirty other than shooting it. I really don't think the 7 rounds from the range & the 3-10 rounds that will be fired thru it for rifle season will dirty it up very bad @ all.
R.I.P. CPO Matt Mills-(DEVGRU)- You will NEVER be forgotten!
10-25-75 / 8-6-11 *K.I.A.*
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: Windrider]
#996837
10/29/09 01:03 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,762
psycho0819
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,762 |
I'm going to have to go with "it depends".
If your version of cleaning a rifle is to scour the bore until it is so clean that you can eat off of it, then you may need to put a few "fouling" shots down the bore so that it will return to "normal" or "settle" into it's normal groups.
If your version of cleaning a rifle is to get most of the gunk out, but leave a bit of seasoning in the "pores of the metal" (for lack of a better way to say it), then you will most likely not need a "fouling" shot or shots.
Personally, I get most of the gunk out then shoot three fouling shots. Let the barrel cool and shoot three shots for an evaluation group. The evaluation group has always been where it's supposed to be and the proper size.
Conversely, the first group is always a bit looser than normal, but not too bad except for one of my rifles that isn't quite fully broken in. It will send that first shot about 2 inches to the right. X2
Tolerance is the virtue of a man without conviction.
The end of the world began the day it was created, and life is a sexually transmitted terminal disease.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: LFD2037]
#996838
10/29/09 01:04 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,479
ETXbuckman
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Thanks guys. I appreciate everyone's opinion who cares to chime in.
Windrider, I was just going to run some wet patches through till most of the powder was gone then run dry patches through until they were coming out bone dry; no bore brushes would be used. Not sure if that would matter at all but I generally try to avoid those things altogether since they're so abrasive.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: ETXbuckman]
#996862
10/29/09 01:12 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,547
Johnny Lobos
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If your version is...enough change of shot placement not to put it in the specific area on a game animal?
No, it does not matter
If it ever does matter, you need to get a new rifle and/or shorter barrel.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: LFD2037]
#996865
10/29/09 01:12 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,065
exoticbob
Veteran Tracker
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Posts: 2,065 |
i clean after about 2-3 rounds with my 257 wby. no change in group. i am shooting barnes tsx and do not want a heavy build up in my barrel. i no longer burn out 5 round groups anymore unless i am just wanting to test some different rounds. once i get my ammo picked out, i am very confident in it and the rifle. i just checked my 257 wby this past weekend and put 3 at 3.25" high at 100 and all were touching - i went to the range with a very clean barrel. i should be able to "hold on" out to 400 yards w/ no problem.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: ETXbuckman]
#996905
10/29/09 01:21 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,196
Brother in-law
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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If you got the groups you wanted I would not clean it now. You take that flyer chance
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: Brother in-law]
#996939
10/29/09 01:31 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 462
texas.410
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 462 |
If you got the groups you wanted I would not clean it now. You take that flyer chance x1
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: texas.410]
#997164
10/29/09 02:37 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694
Windrider
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I'd guess that you'd be fine with just running patches down the bore. But this is one of those "know thy rifle" kind of things so I'd only be guessing.
Jack O'Connor recommended a lightly oiled patch for between firings during an extended hunting period. Sage advice for those who must take precautions.
If you haven't put at least 40-50 rounds down your 7MAG since it's last full cleaning, I'd be hard pressed to do a single thing to it before hunting season. If you hunt in a 5 deer county and shoot every hog that comes to your feeder you may put 10 rounds down it during hunting season.
Thought for the day: Ducks were almost hunted to extinction long before camo was invented.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: Windrider]
#997817
10/29/09 12:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 309
Bobbaganoosh
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 309 |
With my .270, my first shot after a cleaning is always off by about 6inches or so...never fails. The next shots afterwards, however, are spot on to where my scope is spotted.
So for me and mine, once I sight the gun in, the barrel doesnt get cleaned until the season is over.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: Bobbaganoosh]
#997894
10/29/09 12:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,547
Johnny Lobos
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Six inches?
Whew, Thats a cold long barrel issue
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: Johnny Lobos]
#997909
10/29/09 01:09 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 309
Bobbaganoosh
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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Posts: 309 |
I know...6 inches is a lot...but for the rest of the season, cold barrel or not, it shoots straight. Its just that first shot after cleaning.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: texas.410]
#998140
10/29/09 02:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,598
deewayne2003
Extreme Tracker
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I sight in my rifle clean it really well at the range then shoot another 3 shot group and generally wont clean the bore again until rifle season is over.
Boresnakes work great by the way to.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: deewayne2003]
#998186
10/29/09 02:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,910
luv2brode
Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,910 |
i agree with windrider it depends on the gun.
when shooting for accuracy i like to foul it up with 3-5 shots, i dont like having a dirty gun so i clean when i an done the distance i shoot at hunting not enough change to worry bout
i am cancelling my subscription, i am tired of your issues!
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: luv2brode]
#998290
10/29/09 03:23 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,479
ETXbuckman
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Well I'd say the "no's" have it. I'm going to leave it alone until the season is over. Thanks for all your input guys. I really appreciate it.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: ETXbuckman]
#998476
10/29/09 04:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,709
huntandfish
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When I clean mine I always run a couple of shots through them before I hunt. I've shot them clean bore and they are always a little off till a few rounds to foul the bore again!! A few times as much as two inches from where the rifle was sighted in at!! Every gun will be a little different.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: huntandfish]
#1001189
10/30/09 04:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,832
Kawabuggy
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All of my rifles will shoot to a different POI after cleaning on the first shot. Some the POI will change quite a bit, others not so much. As mentioned above, after sighting in, and getting the rifle to hit where you want, don't clean it until after rifle season is over. If you get water in it, or dirt in the barrel, then obviously clean it after that but try and shoot some foulers and confirm where it's hitting again before hunting.
One thing I have done in the past is if I pull a rifle out of the safe that has oil in the barrel, I'll open the bolt, point the muzzle at the ground, and then using the supplied straw I'll spray some brake cleaner into the bore and then let it run out the muzzle. This will wash the oil coating away so that the gun is ready to shoot.
A hog is nothing more than a bullet receptacle.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: Kawabuggy]
#1001376
10/30/09 05:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,615
MELackey
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I sight mine in and don't clean the bore until after the season. I always wipe the gun off with a soft cloth and a spray of rem-oil after each trip.
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Re: Cleaning rifle barrel prior to firing...
[Re: MELackey]
#1004101
10/31/09 09:44 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 65
Kurt
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 65 |
A new barrel should be broken in with thorough cleaning after each shot for at least 10 shots. I prefer to sight in with a clean cold barrel. I have no problems reaching 1/2 to 1 minute of angle accuracy with my handloads that way, shooting groups of 3 without cleaning in between shots. When hunting, I typically don't need more than one shot, and that shot is with a clean cold barrel. I know where it is going to hit.
Nothing hunts like a Spring Gobbler.
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