Rifle Cleaning

[Sweetpea]

hey all - just wondering how often I should completely disassemble my rifle to clean it. I use it at an indoor range once in a while and put maybe 100-150 rounds through it. And unfortunately the ammo I am using is really dirty (Remington Golden bullet .22lr). So far I have been doing just a basic cleaning after use (scrubbing the bore and all the innards I can reach with my rounds and a toothbrush without taking it apart and then oiling it). If I have to field strip it after each use, ugh! What do you all do?

[gregj]

I do pretty much the same as you, I'll do the basic cleaning after each range trip. I'll completely strip it down after 4 or 5 trips, or when it feels like it needs it. Same for my pistols.

[Sweetpea]

that sounds pretty reasonable. I'm new to the whole rifle thing and just want to make sure I dont do something wrong. I appreciate your input!

[SgtBill]

If you have a scope on it or are going to put a scope on it, remember that you will change the point of impact every time you remove the weapon from the stock. I surface clean mine and when they start to function poorley I will strip them down completley and resight them in after cleaning. For surface cleaning I use WD-40 and for indepth cleaning I use 10X bore cleaner and stainless steel brushes.
Bill

[Palladin]

American Rifleman had an interesting article about cleaning this month... they were talking about centerfires tho...

+1 SgtBill

Glen

[zephyp]

If you have a scope on it or are going to put a scope on it, remember that you will change the point of impact every time you remove the weapon from the stock. I surface clean mine and when they start to function poorley I will strip them down completley and resight them in after cleaning. For surface cleaning I use WD-40 and for indepth cleaning I use 10X bore cleaner and stainless steel brushes.
Bill

This brings up a good point, Bill. I have a break action rifle. If I remove the barrel from the receiver to clean will the result be the same - change point of impact. I wondered about that...thanks DK

[SgtBill]

DK, in answere to your question - NO - it won't change the point of impact. I have a Thompson Center Mag 8 single shot with double set triggers and 2 diffrent barrels for it. One in .270 with a 3X9X40 attached and one in 22.250 with a 6X24X50 with a BDC scope that I interchange all the time and never loose the scope sighting setting. (say that 5 times real fast)
Bill

[Vahunter]

Don't use WD40. It attracts moisture.

[zephyp]

DK, in answere to your question - NO - it won't change the point of impact. I have a Thompson Center Mag 8 single shot with double set triggers and 2 diffrent barrels for it. One in .270 with a 3X9X40 attached and one in 22.250 with a 6X24X50 with a BDC scope that I interchange all the time and never loose the scope sighting setting. (say that 5 times real fast)
Bill

Great!!! Thanks, Bill. Thats a relief to know. I thought about that after cleaning my Optima and smacked myself when I saw your post about the stock. That I knew but sort of figured it wouldnt affect the break action.

Hey Henry. No I dont use WD40 on my guns. I do use a spray acetone solvent sometimes when cleaning hard to get to places but it evaporates. Only Hoppes and Butch products for me...

[Vahunter]

Someone in the gun world a few years ago had a scientific study done on gun oil. They released a list of the best down to the worst, and I wish I had kept a copy. I do remember the remark about WD40 attracting moisture. I think Rem OIl was near the top.

[zephyp]

Yup, I use Rem Oil too. I like those wipes. Nice and handy. So is the spray bottle.

[herohog]

WD40 is a good penetrator, moisture repellent (used on ignition systems to "dry them" when they get wet), but it $ucks as a lubricant!

[SgtBill]

Well I did not do a study, but I have used WD-40 for over 30 years and my weapons don't attract moisture.

P.S. ALL new RUGER weapons are cleaned with WD-40 after test shooting at the factory. This is a fact that I can attest to as I watched and did so myself at said factory.
Bill

[Paliden]

Just fyi, WD-40 is not a lubricant, it is a water displacement cleaner and a good one too. That's where WD came from and the 40 came from it was the 40th formula made before it was approved by the military. A good lube I use is Mobile ! syn. oil. Use just a film on moving parts. Just two cents worth

[herohog]

As a side note, MANY years ago, a major motorcycle magazine did a scientific chain lube study with a factory chain as the control set and each test was used using new chain and sprockets from the same lot at the same speed and tension for the same time. Of all the oils and chain lubes tested, WD-40 was the worst. By worst, I mean it actually accelerated wear! The chain ran hotter, wore the worst and wore the sprockets the worst (than anything including the untreated control chain)!

Used for what it was made for, WD-40 rocks! As a lubricant, it blows. Back when I raced Dirt track cars and bikes, we used it on the chassis/frame and engines to keep the clay/mud from sticking and caking on them. It also kept the ignition systems moisture free. Silicone spray is a great water barrier but WD-40 will "dry" a wet system.