Thread: .22 Cleaning

This may sound like a stupid question but do you clean your .22

I've had it drilled into me that my .270 and 12g shouldn't go back into the cabinet till they've been cleaned but i've heard from multiple people that i shouldn't clean my .22!

Is there a reason for this or is it just bad advice?

RR

I clean, lubricate and function test all of my firearms after use - .22 included.

Most people only clean the bore if the groups start to get bigger.

That's why so many 22s have rust pitted bores.

Originally Posted by hawkfish

Most people only clean the bore if the groups start to get bigger.

+1

Then put about 10 shots through to get the accuracy back. Clean bore they all seem to shoot all over the place. Once the wax or whatever has built up again the accuracy is silly accurate again.

I generally give mine a wipe with a rag and some oil most times it goes back but don't really clean the barrel.

Hmm, I'd never heard of not cleaning .22 before. Learn something new every day! If my action is not properly cleaned and lubricated it will jam after x amount of rounds. I usually shoot 100 rounds + per session, always CCI subs. Should I not clean the barrel - seems to be a lot of articles on the internet saying not to.

Why though - what's the rationale behind this?

Originally Posted by Toby

I generally give mine a wipe with a rag and some oil most times it goes back but don't really clean the barrel.

Yeah you still need to give it a wipe over to prevent rust and keep it clean, but you dont need to chemically clean the bore unless the groups start to spread out.

Thats my opinion anyway

Originally Posted by hawkfish

Yeah you still need to give it a wipe over to prevent rust and keep it clean, but you dont need to chemically clean the bore unless the groups start to spread out.

Thats my opinion anyway

Yup. This. I think the main reason is because the .22 gets used more then anything so why clean it all the time. Thats my reasoning for it

Mine gets a oiled patch after any use.
It might sit in the safe for a couple of years,better than a rusty bore.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Mine gets a oiled patch after any use.
It might sit in the safe for a couple of years,better than a rusty bore.

+1 im with him.....

I've got a ruger 10/22.

I run a boresnake or oiled patch thru it after use.

Full strip and clean of the working parts on condition or every 3 months.

Trigger group once a year.

My experience mirrors (some of) those above .. a clean barrell sprays the rounds around the bull. Not saying dont clean, just let it settle back in before using on something you want to hit !!

Originally Posted by Ryan

Why though - what's the rationale behind this?

From what I gather the 22lr rounds have a wax coating and that builds up in the bore and provides a lube. The projectiles mostly have a copper wash also which avoids lead build up and they are not going fast enough for copper build up in the bore. With the Marlin semi the action gets cleaned and a very very light dry lube each use.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

From what I gather the 22lr rounds have a wax coating and that builds up in the bore and provides a lube. The projectiles mostly have a copper wash also which avoids lead build up and they are not going fast enough for copper build up in the bore. With the Marlin semi the action gets cleaned and a very very light dry lube each use.

Thanks, I believe that we have the same type of rifle (795)? I'm doing some shooting this weekend so will put this idea to the test.

Originally Posted by Ryan

Thanks, I believe that we have the same type of rifle (795)? I'm doing some shooting this weekend so will put this idea to the test.

Sure do, though I mainly use the bolt action 980s. I wondered why I kept missing then got told not to clean the barrel. After a mag it was back on aim.