How to clean a rifle bore that has accumulated dirt and residue

What do you do when your rifle barrel starts to accumulate lead and copper fouling after shooting 500 rounds? In this blog post, we will show you how to clean a fouled rifle bore using basic cleaning supplies that are likely already in your home. Follow these simple steps to get your barrel back to like-new condition!

Preparation

  1. Make sure your rifle is unloaded and the action is open. Remove any optics or other accessories from the rifle.
  2. Gather your cleaning supplies. You will need a cleaning rod, a bore brush, patches, solvent, and oil.

Consult the Manual

Before you start cleaning, consult your rifle’s owner’s manual. There may be specific instructions from the manufacturer on how to best clean your particular model of rifle.

Cleaning the Barrel

  1. Start by running a dry patch through the barrel to remove any loose debris. Repeat this step a few times until the patch comes out clean.
  2. Next, apply solvent to a bore brush and scrub the inside of the barrel. Be sure to reach the rifling (the spiral grooves in the barrel that give bullets spin). Run the brush through the barrel several times to loosen stubborn dirt and residue.
  3. Once you have scrubbed the inside of the barrel, run patches soaked in solvent through the barrel until they come out clean. This may take several tries.
  4. To remove any remaining solvent, patches, or other debris, run a few dry patches through the barrel.
  5. Finally, apply a light coat of oil to a patch and run it through the barrel. This will help protect the inside of the barrel from rust and corrosion.

Cleaning the Bore:

  1. Start by attaching the bore brush to the cleaning rod. Dip the brush in solvent and run it through the barrel a few times to loosen up any fouling.
  2. Switch to a patch (or two) and run them through the barrel until they come out clean. Repeat this step until the patches are no longer picking up any residue.
  3. Once the bore is clean, apply a light coat of oil to a patch and run it through the barrel. This will help protect the inside of the barrel from rust and corrosion.

And that’s it! By following these simple steps, you can easily clean a fouled rifle bore and keep your firearm in top shooting condition.

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