Joe

I clean at the end of the day sometimes at the range sometimes at home. I use Bore Tech rimefire solvent. For 32 I wrap a patch around a .30 cal brush. I use a wet patch then a dry untill the black is gone and all I am getting is cooked lube. Lastly I run a patch with some lanolin cut with mineral sperits through the bore.

40 Rod

Before I started using Alberta Schuetzen lube I had to clean within 30 shots due to leading. With the improved lube I clean after the end of the day (usually 100 + shots) and only get fine lead dust on the first cleaning patch. For peace of mind I always clean prior to each competition event.

A bore scope taught me that gun cleaning solvents don't handle the carbon build up. Yes there are very many good products that quickly remove lead and the powder fouling however you would be surprised how much carbon buildup takes place over time with even the most stringent cleaning practices.

Then I discovered JBs cleaning compound. Works great at getting that  build up out of there. Also I lay down a film of Kroil oil before commencing the next round to prevent the start of lead fouling (before that first lubed bullet has a chance to lay down some lubricant).

For rimfire I clean before a competition but make sure I fire at least 50 rounds to stabilize the groups before the competition.

It is better to clean at the range as soon as possible after competition.
If  the rifle sits a while then that fouling hardens up and is somewhat more difficult to completely remove.

For chrome molly barrels leaving the fouling overnight after shooting on one of those cool days can result in condensation which reacts with the fouling to form acids that pit out the barrel. I have rebarreled numerous pitted barrels for guys who put their rifles away without cleaning after hunting on a cool humid fall day.

Joe I don't spend a lot of time cleaning my 2 Douglas 32/40 barrels. They wipe nice with a couple of patches with whatever I have on hand.  Spray of Balistol most often but sometimes just plain oil.  I never wipe them during a Hudson match as my zeros will change fowled barrel to clean.  Of course I don't have any problems with leading to overcome. I only use 1/25 with SPG at moderate velocitys about 1450 fps. 

At home after a match I brush them out then patch and solvent until it comes out clean then dry and oil lightly. I have had other rifles that did lead and needed to be a whole lot more aggressive cleaning, mostly Military rifles and cast bullets at 1600 fps plus.

Black Powder Schuetzen is another matter and my Douglas 38/55 Barrel gets wiped after every shot. One wipe with a wet patch Half Anti freeze and half water with a little Balistol in the mix. I also look at the bore after the wet patch and will wipe it again or use a pistol rod and patch and wipe the chamber and throat one more time.  That 2nd wet patching depends on how long I waited after the shot to wipe how hot and dry it is or any number of things  If it does not look clean I stay after it until it is.

Then I dry the barrel with a 2nd rod and dry patch.  What I am looking for is absoultly clean and dry for evey shot. I have shot it in Hudson matches that way sucessfully.  I think wiped it's just as accurate as my Smokeless loads in 32/40   

When I shot the same barrel fixed in BPCS and used a blow tube it worked OK but was not as accuatrate as Breech seating. I suspect it's a combinaton of breech seated bullets and the clean bore. Of course in BPCS you don't have time for the absolutely clean routine and have to go with what you have.

Boats

joe b: Another dumb question--What book?  I've only been on this forum for a month (yes, guys, I did pony up and join [3 year membership];  just got first issue of journal), so I'm certainly not familiar with everyone and their backgrounds/interests.

I've already got some ideas from this thread...

Thanks,

Tommy

Quote:


I'm asking about smokeless schuetzen loads.
joe b.

I have been shooting a CPA 32-40 close to five years now using smokeless powder and the bore has never seen a brush of any kind. Gail Schuttleworth advised me to just do like you would a baby's butt and wipe it till its clean! I seldom use solvent either I just run dry patches through it till its clean and four patches fliped over one time each will usually do it. I then run a patch through the bore with the lube I use and it is ready for the next outing.