How Often Do You Clean Your Hmr

[let'sshoot 11]

Mine is at its sweet spot right now. Should I clean it? I have approx 70 rounds left of this batch.

The next batch is different brand, so will need re-zeroing whatever.

Or should I continue to shoot until accuracy drops off?

Thanks

[Rimfireboy! 1,463]

I used to clean my hmr after every outing. I don't anymore. While it's shooting accurately I don't clean the bore. I think there's more likely to be damage to the bore from unnecessary over cleaning. Also, I don't find there to be any noticeable change in zero from a change in ammo. Maybe it's just my rifle that's not fussy though.

[let'sshoot 11]

After cleaning every outing, did you find a shift in zero?

[J_Edwards 70]

I read somewhere that you should clean your HMR after 25 rounds, as for some reason ammo is quite dirty. I'm not sure after how many rounds I clean mine, as I do it on a when I have time basis, but I imagine between 25 and 50 rounds. I use VFG cleaning felts for mine, which I think are aimed towards target shooters, so they can't be bad. They just wipe down the barrel, and are much softer and less harsh than a brush. I spray the first felt with Ballistol, and just put as many through it until they're coming out clean. I imagine after using a bronze brush every 25 rounds, there wouldn't be much left of your barrel.

 

I find that I lose my zero straight after cleaning, but after 2 or 3 shots, the barrel gets fouled a bit, and the zero starts to come back.

 

On another shooting page, someone's moderator expoloded on their HMR, and they attributed it to insufficient cleaning.

[GEOFF.223 83]

My groups open to to 2" after 100 rounds after a good scrubbing and a few fouling rounds down it she's good again

[Rimfireboy! 1,463]

After cleaning every outing, did you find a shift in zero?

For the first few shots, then it settles back down again.

 

Then I carry on shooting while the accuracy remains. I always remove the moderator to store as most of the dirt stays in there and will drop into the barrel if the gun is stored upright with mod still on. I've had no problems in years.

[celticrusader 78]

I always clean after every outing but have found that after every box of 50 is best for me.

[Bigad 136]

New to this hmr got mine shooting 5p size groups at 100 yard and have cleaned it last night should I test the zero again before an outing on the bunnys ?

[celticrusader 78]

You should be fine mate and that's good shooting bud, I clean the barrel after no more than a box of 50 as its easy to remember and is just my preference...always after hunting as well and a light going over with an oily rag to keep that dusting of rust away.

[ZacB 114]

The next batch is different brand,

What brand are you trying out of interest?

We've just switched to Winchester from Hornady - pleased with the results, sure it's more of a confidence thing but ho hum

[let'sshoot 11]

Currently using the hollow point CCI TNT, next batch is Federal V-Shok Polymer tip.

 

The CCI are tight to chamber, the Federal chamber easier.

 

 

Both are 17g

Edited September 4, 2014 by let'sshoot

[Rimfireboy! 1,463]

I found the cci TNT's to be just as accurate and they were fast over the chrono 2660 fps from my rifle. I never bought any more though. I prefer the ballistic tips. I keep a few 20 grain hollow point .17's but don't use them often.

[let'sshoot 11]

I once read that ballistic tips shred into bits and leave shards of shrapnel in the meat of rabbits. However true or likely untrue this is I don't suppose I'll ever know.

 

The CCIs are really accurate, but my RFD didn't have any so I went for the Federal

 

I hope they are just as accurate as the CCI, but only time will tell. I also hope not to find shards of the bullet in my signature rabbit curry!!

 

Thanks

[Rimfireboy! 1,463]

Get ready let'sshoot, you will get shards of bullet in the rabbit with ballistic tip bullets. I've even hit them side on head shots and found shards of bullet in the back legs. Sometimes they do,sometimes they don't, they're unpredictable.

[let'sshoot 11]

Jesus, that doesn't sound good for my curry!! Hollow point next time if that's the case!

 

Thanks