Why And How To Clean The Bore Of Your Rifle

If you are serious about hunting and rifle shooting, then you probably opt for a long action gun to help you hunt larger game. This is certainly necessary when using larger clips. For seamless loading, a custom long action should be added to your rifle. While a custom action can help prepare you for the necessary "kill shot," the action will not do you much good if your rifle is simply not accurate. Accuracy depends on proper maintenance, and this includes the cleaning of the bore. Keep reading to understand how bore cleaning is essential to accuracy and also understand how to complete a quick and easy cleaning after every hunting adventure.

Understanding Bore Debris And Accuracy

When you shoot a round out of your rifle, the jacketed bullet releases powder, metal shavings, and other debris along the inside of the barrel. Most bores are made out of steel. If you use copper bullets, then debris will cause green corrosion to form on the inside of the barrel. The corrosion is called patina and it will form streaks on the inside of the bore. If you use steel bullet varieties, then rust can form and cause flaking oxidation to build on the inside of the bore. Both of these types of corrosion can cause accuracy problems as the bullet hits the debris and shifts to the left or right a small amount as it exits the gun. 

You will notice accuracy problems if you do not clean the bore, and the issues will become worse over time if you continue to use a dirty gun. 

Cleaning The Bore

It is wise to clean the barrel of your gum immediately after you are done shooting for the day. Cleaning with the use of both hands is ideal, so make sure to purchase a gun cradle to hold your rifle when you are ready to clean it. The cradle will hold your gun securely on a table top so both your hands are free to work. Use a wire bore cleaning brush with a long rod. Move the brush through the bore and out again. Use a clean cloth to wipe debris off the end of the brush. 

Place an ammonia-based cleaner on the end of the brush and move it through the end of the bore once again. This will remove debris. Afterwards, you will need to oil the inside of the barrel. You will need to use brass cleaning jags for this. Find a jag that fits the bore opening of your gun, add a small amount of gun oil to the jag and run it through the bore. 

Talk to professionals, such as Southwest Precision LLC.