how often do you need to clean a target rifle?

Question

i do not clean the barrel until the groups start to open just wondering how often the snipers clean there guns

Answer 1

I have a one armed friend who cleaned his guns when he got around to it. A bug moved into his rifle and when he fired the bolt on that rifle took his arm off.
The best time to clean a gun is when you pick it up and before you put it down. Check the barrel every single time you pick it up to go shooting and take a minute or two to run a rod through it.
Before you put it away strip it, clean it and oil it.

Answer 2

I clean all my rifles typically within an hour after using them, my gun range is only 10 minutes away. My .22lr match rifle gets special treatment, because it cost a fortune, and it obviously needs to stay accurate. First off I only use the best, and cleanest ammo I can get in it to keep the barrel in the best condition it can be. I don't use a wire brush on the barrel to prevent scratches, and I use a narrow plastic cord with a solvent soaked patch on the end as a sort of bore snake. I clean it extremely thoroughly after each use, no matter how few rounds I fire. I am sure military marksman do the same.

Answer 3

You should clean your rifle after every trip to the range.

Besides eventually opening up groups dirty barrels wear out faster as more crap is dragged across the lands and grooves with each round fired.

You should clean as soon as feasibly possible after your fire your rifle.

Always clean from the breach end first and do not scrub back and forth through your barrel.

To answer your question military snipers clean as soon as they return to a safe, rear area, they may not clean for weeks at a time, but it is a sniper ethic to clean their rifles and equipment before cleaning themselves.

P.S police snipers zero their rifles on a clean, cold barrel shot.
As this is usually the only round they will fire in a conflict,

As opposed to a military sniper who may fire several dozen rounds if not hundreds before cleaning.

The old addage says "A clean rifle is an accurate rifle, and only an accurate rifle is interesting"

it's transitive!

Forgive the high school algebra analogy

Answer 4

Well personally I clean my rifles every time out before and after. I like to ensure a nice grouping and nice shots so I do it the same way each time.

Answer 5

After it has been shot, no matter how many rounds you put through it, and every month even if it hasn't been shot.

I like to clean them just to make sure no rust, crud or anything else happens, that neglect will allow to breed.

I agree with the "take care of it and it will take care of you".
You never know when you may need it, and having to pull it out and find it dirty, inoperable due to rust, dust, crud and neglect could mean your life, or possibly a family members life. A few minutes a month ain't worht it!

Semper Fi!

Answer 6

Really you should clean the barrel after every session of use. Reside will build up and change the pattern. Plus, that residue is highly flammable.

Answer 7

you should clean it after you fire it . if it's a 22 and you don't clean it often it will get lead build-up in the barrel and start throwing your shots everywhere. snipers clean, even if they fire one shot,or if they don't fire it. a clean gun works when you need it.

Answer 8

You should clean a rifle after using it and before storing it.

H

Answer 9

i am a retired deputy and let me tell you what my dad told me.you take care of your guns and they will take care of you.as soon as i got home from shooting i would clean my gun.even when not shooting i still cleaned them once a month

Answer 10

NEVER*... Just the outside of the Rifle*...