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Cleaning a 22lr Barrel (Read 2888 times)

Flatlander Oldtimer Offline Posts: 638 Location: Warm Arizona Joined: Apr 24^th, 2004	Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Apr 20^th, 2025 at 3:35pm	Print Post
	Being as I'm to the point in my life where the 22lr will be my most used guns, I am wondering if my old bore cleaning process may be dated with all the new cleaners and rods and brushes on the market. Years ago, someone to wrote of using a 17 cal clean rod to keep from rubbing rod when flexing and just cleaning carbon ring when cartridge gets harder to seat which I still use with nylon brush. Can you share your cleaning process as I'm thinking I may be dated with all the new cleaning formulas and accessories out there and need an education. Thanks. Flatlander

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bpjack Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3168 Location: East Olympia, WA Joined: May 18^th, 2008	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #1 - Apr 20^th, 2025 at 3:37pm	Print Post
	You can always join the "I never clean My 22s" club. Jack

	ASSRA # 11318 I haven’t lost all my marbles yet but there is definitely a hole in the bag somewhere.
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Flatlander Oldtimer Offline Posts: 638 Location: Warm Arizona Joined: Apr 24^th, 2004	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #2 - Apr 20^th, 2025 at 3:40pm	Print Post
	bpjack wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 3:37pm: You can always join the "I never clean My 22s" club. Jack That would be easiest but would it be best?

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rgchristensen Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1150 Joined: Jan 2^nd, 2014	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #3 - Apr 20^th, 2025 at 4:10pm	Print Post
	Flatlander wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 3:40pm: bpjack wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 3:37pm: You can always join the "I never clean My 22s" club. Jack That would be easiest but would it be best? Works for me. -- actually, I clean them once a year, whether they need it or not. CHRIS


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Myers Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 385 Joined: Mar 5^th, 2013	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #4 - Apr 20^th, 2025 at 7:12pm	Print Post
	I shoot rimfire quite often. A couple wet patches of Cowboy blend and two more dry is usually sufficient only if your barrel is not carbon fouled. For the dreaded carbon ring IOSSO on a stiff nylon brush works good. I verify what works with a Hawkeye borescope.


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sureshot Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 329 Location: Snohomish Joined: May 27^th, 2007	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #5 - Apr 20^th, 2025 at 7:50pm	Print Post
	(You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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yamoon Oldtimer Offline NRA Life, ASSRA , GGCA, MCA Posts: 951 Location: Junction City Kansas Joined: Feb 11^th, 2012	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #6 - Apr 20^th, 2025 at 9:15pm	Print Post
	My father had no interest in guns so my maternal grandfather taught me to hunt and shoot. He was born in the 1890s, they days of corrosive primers, you never let a gun set uncleaned It was drilled into me, to this day I can’t bring myself to leave a gun uncleaned. I use Bore Tech products. Most of my 22s are pre WW2 German and they tend to have a tight bore. Mike


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Flatlander Oldtimer Offline Posts: 638 Location: Warm Arizona Joined: Apr 24^th, 2004	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #7 - Apr 20^th, 2025 at 11:08pm	Print Post
	sureshot wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 7:50pm: (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Pretty much says it all. Thanks all for comments. Flatlander

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J.Francis Full Member Offline Posts: 166 Location: Pownal, Vermont Joined: Nov 20^th, 2011	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #8 - Apr 21^st, 2025 at 8:26am	Print Post
	I clean my Anschutz 1413 Free Rifle when it stops shooting. After I clean it, it takes about 30 or 40 rounds before it settles back into being a one holer again. I think it has something to do with having a consistent lube film in the barrel.


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Flatlander Oldtimer Offline Posts: 638 Location: Warm Arizona Joined: Apr 24^th, 2004	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #9 - Apr 21^st, 2025 at 4:16pm	Print Post
	I haven't tried it yet but would my BPCR Shiloh Carbon Solvent work or just go with the BoreTec products and be done? Flatlander
	« Last Edit: Apr 22^nd, 2025 at 11:18am by Flatlander »
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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 16884 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #10 - Apr 21^st, 2025 at 4:34pm	Print Post
	I rarely clean bores on my .22RF rifles. Unless I know one might sit for a long time before it gets fired again.

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craigster Oldtimer Offline Posts: 736 Location: lost coast CA Joined: Feb 20^th, 2011	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #11 - Apr 22^nd, 2025 at 10:28pm	Print Post
	J.Francis wrote on Apr 21^st, 2025 at 8:26am: I clean my Anschutz 1413 Free Rifle when it stops shooting. After I clean it, it takes about 30 or 40 rounds before it settles back into being a one holer again. I think it has something to do with having a consistent lube film in the barrel. Same with my Anschutz.


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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7626 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #12 - Apr 24^th, 2025 at 5:56am	Print Post
	My CPA & when I owned them Anschutz rifles put a light spray of Balistol in the chamber. Leave it overnight in the range box, rifle’s muzzle is down slightly any excess drains out the muzzle. Next day push a slightly oiled patch through from the breech removing most of the powder residue. Then a shorter rod with a patch rubbing the chamber & leade. One more full length & that’s it. Couple reasons, either have very smooth barrels, CPA’s all button rifled Douglas Anschutz were buttoned too. I’m in a humid salt air environment & don’t want rust. Other hand each gun uses its particular brand cartridge & want the barrel to stay seasoned. I don’t shoot bench all position matches & last possible accuracy not as important as long run consistency. Other .22’s more aggressive cleaning due barrel condition or cartridges used. Boats


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westerner Frequent Elocutionist Offline deleted posts and threads record holder. Posts: 11734 Location: Why, out West of course Joined: May 29^th, 2006	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #13 - Apr 24^th, 2025 at 10:26am	Print Post
	I've always cleaned my 22 barrels after shooting them. Never noticed a lack of accuracy so never looked for a carbon ring. Cleaning works for me. My ole shootin buddy Chuck used to clean the hell out of all his barrels. I think he wore the barrels out cleaning them so hard. Bill Crane used to set Chucks barrels back every couple years. When Chuck got his own lathe he set them back himself. Also I've never had to shoot more than three rounds through a clean 22 barrel to get it to group as usual. I've heard the story about having to shoot many rounds to get a rifle accurate after cleaning, so I've always assumed there's something to it.

	A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
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craigster Oldtimer Offline Posts: 736 Location: lost coast CA Joined: Feb 20^th, 2011	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #14 - Apr 24^th, 2025 at 11:15am	Print Post
	My Anshutz needs a dozen or so rounds down the barrel to get back to "normal" after cleaning.


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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7626 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #15 - Apr 24^th, 2025 at 9:54pm	Print Post
	CPA’s or Anschutz always have the opportunity to shoot half a dozen or so before a match . Confirms nothings bumped the sight, rifles shooting to point of aim. Monthly match morning relay could have 30 degrees difference in temperature from the last mid day finish. It does make a difference in elevation Is it seasoning the barrel ? Who knows. I do know it has not been scrubbed hard and is running the same brand of ammo Boats


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j_c_johnson Full Member Offline C C Johnson's grandson Posts: 129 Location: northeast Indiana Joined: Sep 16^th, 2004	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #16 - Apr 25^th, 2025 at 6:53pm	Print Post
	Al Freeland, a top level smallbore shooter, used coated Parker Hale rods on his competition .22 Martini. He cleaned it somewhat regularly. He retired the rifle from competition after he documented 460,000 rounds through it with no loss in accuracy. He was worried it would quit on him in the middle of a competition.


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arlon Participating Member Offline Posts: 48 Location: Kerrville Texas Joined: Mar 29^th, 2017	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #17 - May 13^th, 2025 at 11:37am	Print Post
	J.Francis wrote on Apr 21^st, 2025 at 8:26am: I clean my Anschutz 1413 Free Rifle when it stops shooting. After I clean it, it takes about 30 or 40 rounds before it settles back into being a one holer again. I think it has something to do with having a consistent lube film in the barrel. I have an older Anschutz 1416 that I got when I was a kid. I shot the heck out of it for a long time then college, work, wife, kids etc had it in the closet for years. I started shooting again and the little Anschutz just did not shoot as well as I thought it should. Not knowing better I pulled a bronze brush through it. When that brush came out, it came out with a cloud of lead dust. I proceeded to pull the brush through the bore a hundred times (from chamber to muzzle with one of those cables made for the purpose). I pulled until there was no more lead dust coming out. Shot it and it was like a different gun. Now I have dozens of .22s many purchased as high milers. First thing I do when I get one is clean the bore with a brush to get any lead build up out. All shoot great. Dirtiest so far was a Martini International Mark IV. An import that had most likely been a club gun. Shot patterns, Cleaned all the old lead out and now It's one of my Schuetzen rifles and the most accurate .22 I own.


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dcraven Participating Member Offline Posts: 10 Joined: May 2^nd, 2024	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #18 - May 30^th, 2025 at 11:44am	Print Post
	I have a 3' long piece of weed eater string with a loop on the end. I'll run a dry patch thru whichever .22 I'm shooting and call the bore cleaning done. Leave it bright and shinny, takes 2 seconds, and no chance of wearing on crown or barrel


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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7626 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #19 - Jun 2^nd, 2025 at 6:52am	Print Post
	Pull through’s are effective for a quick wipe after shooting 22’s. Rods best for more aggressive cleaning. Stay behind it aggressive rarely needed. I make mine out if monofilament fishing line 30# test mostly. End tie a Bimini Twist for a loop that’s straight in line with the pull. Can you guys out west can tie a Bimini ? Boats


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calledflyer Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3725 Joined: Mar 9^th, 2015	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #20 - Jun 2^nd, 2025 at 9:54am	Print Post
	Ya know, Boats, the fact is that the Bimini twist, which I attempted to learn fifty years back is of damn little use on a trout stream. If I was wanting to put a rope on an anchor for a boat that I don't own it might be an option. But when hip deep in a cold stream it is a poor choice on two-pound mono and a #18 nymph. Nice Knot though when I figured it would take half an hour to tie, I gave up.


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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7626 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #21 - Jun 2^nd, 2025 at 11:18am	Print Post
	You’re right only need them for certain circumstances, mostly to show off you know how. Big sport fisherman guys hire captains and mates that can rig, owner good at writing checks not running or rigging. I use a Bimini to double the running line on surf rods, adding a shock line with a surgeons knot tip to absorb the cast strain. And a to connect a short heavy tip to saltwater fly leaders. 9 & 10 weight rods. Back to rifles, spray the bore with Balistol put the gun barrel slightly less than level overnight. Pull through with an oversize patch, no need to make room for a rod, next day removes fowling very well. 10 wt fly rod deep sinker line, 20 # leader 40 lb tippet Black Drum released live. From measurements he weighed 68 lbs Boats


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Grand slam Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 352 Location: Mountains of E. Tennessee Joined: Jun 7^th, 2015	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #22 - Jun 2^nd, 2025 at 1:28pm	Print Post
	For many years I was a fishing guide in the Florida Keys, used my big toe to tie the Bimini twist…thanks for bringing up the memories. On my low wall .22rf match rifle that I compete with every other week, I run a loose fitting patch breech first with a a bit of 3 in 1 oil down the bore using a bore guide at the end of the shoot. Before the start of practice I’ll run a dry patch down the bore, again with a bore guide. I don’t want to remove any build up of wax deposits. Occasionally when accuracy drops off (it shoots better than MOA) I’ll use a new nylon brush with Hoppes and short stroke the chamber throat section. At seasons end I’ll clean the bore with a tight patch and Hoppes then tight dry patches until clean then a final patch with a good amount of 3 in 1. Always use a bore guide! I think the throat of a .22rf is almost as important as the crown as far as group size goes. Good luck Richard


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beltfed Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1788 Location: Central Wi Joined: Dec 20^th, 2007	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #23 - Jun 16^th, 2025 at 9:43pm	Print Post
	grand slam that 3 in 1 oil has been "accused" over the years as gradually evaporating, leaving gummy crap behind... beltfed/arnie


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.22-5-40 Oldtimer Offline Posts: 815 Joined: Feb 13^th, 2010	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #24 - Jun 20^th, 2025 at 6:44pm	Print Post
	Re-reading some of my older books..came across Precision Reloading & Shooting Handbook by Frederick Sinclair and Bill Gravatt. On page 67, he states "There is normally a corrosive substance found in the priming material of most rim fire cartridges, so keep those rim fires clean." This was dated 1995.


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craigster Oldtimer Offline Posts: 736 Location: lost coast CA Joined: Feb 20^th, 2011	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #25 - Jun 20^th, 2025 at 11:29pm	Print Post
	.22-5-40 wrote on Jun 20^th, 2025 at 6:44pm: Re-reading some of my older books..came across Precision Reloading & Shooting Handbook by Frederick Sinclair and Bill Gravatt. On page 67, he states "There is normally a corrosive substance found in the priming material of most rim fire cartridges, so keep those rim fires clean." This was dated 1995. I believe he is/was misinformed. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)
	« Last Edit: Jun 21^st, 2025 at 12:32am by craigster »

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SSShooter Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2937 Location: Southern NJ Joined: Aug 1^st, 2010	Re: Cleaning a 22lr Barrel Reply #26 - Jul 6^th, 2025 at 10:17pm	Print Post
	bpjack wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 3:37pm: You can always join the "I never clean My 22s" club. Jack Absolutely. Never shoot plated bullets and clean only when accuracy starts going away.

	Glenn - Stevens 044 1/2, Bartlein SS 5R barrel in 22LR
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