It has been many years since I shot smokeless cartridge guns, and I could use some advice about cleaning the bore, both as to gear and chemicals. What should be the routine after each shooting session? Is it necessary to use solvents for copper, lead, etc. each time, or is it OK to use powder solvents each time and metal removing solutions only occasionally? Copper brushes each time, I assume, followed by patches? Are there certain brands of cleaning solutions which are obviously better?

Thanks.

Spence

I like the Otis system best and Hoppes Bore Snakes. Use Rem oil and Remington Bore Paste and Kroil.

__________________
"Had his shooting been as good as his running, he might have given a better account of himself."
James. C. Henderson

What kind/caliber guns are you shooting Spence?

__________________
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Marlin 336C in .35 Remington, shooting Hornady Leverevolution ammo.

Spence

After firing jacketed ammunition, run a cleaning rod with bronze brush through the bore several times to remove as much powder and jacket residue as possible. Follow up with a good solvent (follow directions on the bottle) then run a few cleaning patches through the bore to dry it. Last, run a lubricated cleaning patch through the bore to leave it with a light coat of oil. That is cleaning in a nutshell. Other's may go into this in far greater detail, it's up to you to decide how detailed a job you want to do.

You need a solvent that's capable of removing copper jacket deposits as well as powder residue and also a good gun oil to clean and protect the bore and external finish. There are so many new products offered today that I would not even try to tell you what's "best". Hoppe's *9 Solvent and Rem-Oil are two of the "old" standbys that come to mind, but shop around as there may be other brands that you would rather try.

Hope this helps.

Thanks to all for the replies. I'm a low volume shooter, a hunter not a target shooter, so my cleaning requirements should be pretty simple. I see fellows report shooting more in an afternoon than I do in a year.

It has been so many years since I shot copper jacketed bullets that I wondered what the current thinking is about preventing and removing copper fouling. I've been reading up on it, and I see the old "chemical warfare" about proper cleaning solutions is still raging. Hoppe's #9 and Rem Oil have done me well in the past with my smokeless guns, and I think they will continue to do so, with the possible addition of a dedicated copper solvent. Or some strong ammonia.

One other question... Marlin recommends cleaning the rifle from the breech, what exactly do they mean by that? I'm familiar with the need to absolutely protect the crown of the muzzle, is that what they are thinking of?

Spence

by cleaning from the breach they are talking about passing your cleaning equipment through the bore just as a bullet does. I have not figured out an easy way to do this with my leverguns. seems you have to remove the bolt to make it work. after removing the bolt I pass the cleaning rod throught he bore from the muzzle and then attach the patch or cleaning brush. Then pull it out all the way exiting the muzzle, remove the patch or brush and repeat. I'm not sure if it helps but I guess it keeps you from sweeping the residue into the chamber and action.

__________________
_______________
Gun Control should come in three flavors: Safe, Semi and auto.

That's what I guessed they were suggesting. Doesn't seem it would be all that much trouble to keep from brushing crud into the action, though.

On the Marlin 336 it's dead simple to disassemble it and remove the bolt, so I guess I'll follow their recommendation, at least most of the time.

Spence

Most of the time its not necessary to clean a smokeless rifle thats not fired much. Run a patch with some oil on it down the bore at the end of the season.

Hunt with tape over the muzzle.

Tape over the muzzle is great advice. I learned this not to long ago and it really helps keep the crap out....