Pre-Hunt Rifle Cleaning

[bsprock]

Hi All,
My rifles are sighted in and driving tacks. I have been to the range and practiced for an upcoming hunt. I want to clean my rifles, but do not want to change the point of impact. If I clean my rifle after shooting and then go to the field, my Brother in law told me that my first shot would fly on me. He said that the oil in the barrel would change the flight pattern.

Do I clean the rifle and then fire a fouling shot?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Brian

 

[mustystubs]

Brian:

That depends upon how many rounds you fired since the last good cleaning. If it were me, I wouldn't clean it. You'd be surprised at how many rounds you can fire before fouling affects accuracy. I would think in the hundreds.

 

[sidepass]

After cleaning at the range how far does your first shot fly? An inch? @ 100 yards no big deal. I have a friend that does his prehunt cleaning at the range and fires a fouling shot and cases up the rifle after a wipe down and he's good to go. my rifles show no big difference after cleaning so I don't worry. After I oil I dry patch so no heavy coating is left . JMO

sidepass

 

[hntnnut]

My pattern is to clean, go to the range to sight/fowl/verify the settings, normaly around 10 shots. Then tape the muzzle for hunting season. After the season tape comes off and gun gets cleaned. been following this routine for about 20 years.

Richard

 

[Val]

You should indeed determine the difference in POI on a clean barrel vs: a fouled barrel. Often it is negligeable on a rifle but some rifles may have a difference as much as a couple inches which could affect a longer shot. Fouling shots would be in order if the POI varies significantly.

 

[Railguner]

Vals got some great advice their. I've always been stupidsticious and fired 2 fouling shots through my clean gun before I leave on a hunt. For me it's all about the cold bore shot. You never know what kinda shot may present itself. WR

 

[bobbyrum]

I go to the range. Fire to sight. Clean thoroughly. Fire 2. Go hunting. Hasn't failed me yet.

 

[hatchet1]

i have one of those "testy' rifles..have to shoot it with the dirty barel.. clean shots
are noticiably off the mark..even at 100yds.. im a fouler before i hunt..fo sho...

 

[GregVan]

I sight in (rifle already cleaned), Then run an oily patch, then a dry patch, let cool. and fire a couple of test shots. Be sure you check the rifle with a COLD bore. I think that's just an important, if not more so.

 

[Rick]

I sight in and leave it alone for a hunt. I only clean when accuracy deteriorates or for long-term storage. (Or when I am changing between pure copper bullets like Barnes and gilding metal bullets. Then I want to get all of the previous fouling out.)

Where that first shot lands from a totally cold bore is critical, as that is the shot that counts the most - the first one at an animal.

 

[GregVan]

My God Rick==I heard Dad turn over in his grave. You and I agreed on something!

LOL