243 Cleaning

[Froudy 40]

Hi Lads,

 

I got myself my first centrefire a 243 a few months back, I am just wondering how often I should clean the barrel ? And what would be the best stuff to use, any step by step videos or anything would be great,I just dont want to damage the barrel in anyway by not cleaning it or cleaning it wrong.

 

Atb

[celticrusader 78]

Hey mate, I've just got mine in the past few weeks and I noticed a bit of a spread on the rounds after the 30 rounds mark and ive cleaned after the 50.

I use bore cleaner on a copper brush and then pull through with a 1 inch patch until all carbon and debris is removed...pretty much as I do with my hmr, many will have different methods but you can't do much damage as long as you stick to the basics mate.

[Froudy 40]

Ok cheers mate, do you just use bore cleaner? Or do you put bore shine afterwards?

 

Atb

[charlie caller 3,654]

As my American riflesmith aquaintance says, cleaning whats that? Far more rifles have been knackered by over zealous "cleaning" than not, give it a go with some forest foam every 50-100 rounds

[slipper 116]

Is it still ok when using vmax copper coated tips to only clean it every 100 ish shots?

[celticrusader 78]

Well still getting used to mine but I agree with Charlie caller...the hmr yeah every 50 but when I get used to my .243 I'll probably find it'll change the amount I put through before a general clean.

The whole cleaning thing is target shooters going nuts, tbh froudy I don't do more than what I've said mate ...you don't have to go nuts just lightly wipe down with an oily rag if you've been out it the rain, do the barrel and job done.

I don't think they're supposed to be extensively cleaned and by doing so you could remove something you shouldn't.

Edited August 10, 2014 by celticrusader

[Deker 3,478]

As my American riflesmith aquaintance says, cleaning whats that? Far more rifles have been knackered by over zealous "cleaning" than not, give it a go with some forest foam every 50-100 rounds

In America rifles are disposable items, the less you clean them the more rifles your Gunsmith acquaintance will sell/repair!

[Deker 3,478]

It makes me cringe when I read things like this OP.

 

If the gun was new it should be broken in, and if it was used it should have been stripped bare and cleaned day one!

 

Whatever anyone wants to tell you the only way to keep your rifle sweet is to clean it THOROUGHLY and regularly, including action/bolt/moderator, even woodwork!

 

If you rarely use it, never push the distance, are prepared for less than best performance and don't care about reduced barrel life then don't bother to clean it.

 

That is a fact, I am not preaching and those many issues are simply not an issue to some people, a group moving out to 1-2 even 3" with centrefire power and ammo will seldom actually cause an issue in the field, so not a problem.

 

Your choice!

[ianm 2,594]

Deker is spot on with his advice, of course people who sell guns don't want you to clean them as you will be buying new ones often.

 

All my rifles get cleaned everytime they are shot regardless of whether it's fifty rounds i've shot or just one. The residue from fired rounds is corrosive why would you want to leave something like that in your barrel.

 

Clean your equipment everytime and you will get good service from it. I often wonder if the people advocating not cleaning are also the type who never change the oil on their car then wonder why the engine gets worn.

 

If you get the opportunity to look through a borescope at a barrel that hasn't been cleaned take it, it will open your eyes. Don't forget many rfd's use them now to check the condition of trade in's and the none cleaners could well find their investment worthless as i have witnessed on countless occasions.

 

Your money, your rifle, your choice, but i will stick with my cleaning regime as i know it works.

[charlie caller 3,654]

 

As my American riflesmith aquaintance says, cleaning whats that? Far more rifles have been knackered by over zealous "cleaning" than not, give it a go with some forest foam every 50-100 rounds

In America rifles are disposable items, the less you clean them the more rifles your Gunsmith acquaintance will sell/repair!

 

He is retired from the guntrade now, and only builds rifles for himself and family, it is always going to be a bone of contention, with two camps the cleaners and none cleaners, but it does make me wonder when I look at my pals .222 that he has had for around 15 years, he has never ever cleaned it, and the thing will shoot a half inch group all day long, with factory ammo (federal I think) I am not saying it wont ever be an issue, but 15 years and still accurate, makes you think

[shropshire dan 467]

I started running In my new .22-250 by taking a shot then pull through then again after 10 shots using a brush. Ive now pushed 100 rounds through it and plan to use a pull through after every outing and a full clean every 100

[slipper 116]

To be honest dan I would either do a full clean or leave it, I found only doing half a job makes it worse just my thoughts mate

[celticrusader 78]

Yeah from what I've learnt that's more target specific Dan, i wouldn't spent my time with a pull through after every round as most are good to go on day one.

Edited August 12, 2014 by celticrusader

[Deker 3,478]

Yeah from what I've learnt that's more target specific Dan, i wouldn't spent my time with a pull through after every round as most are good to go on day one.

:hmm:

 

It doesn't matter what your intended use of the rifle will be, breaking in a barrel properly can only ever do good!

 

There are numerous guides around that tell you how to do it.

 

Do what you like, ALL my rifles get run in, even dedicated .22lr sub sonic barrels.

 

They are also kept clean!

[shropshire dan 467]

Cheers guys. I was just going off the advice of Mike Norris from brock and norris custom gunsmith's. Ive only done that on day 1 and just intend now on probably giving a full clean once accuracy goes off.

 

Thanks