Thread: How often do you clean your rifle?

Originally Posted by Tahr

Centre fire. One pull through with a bore snake after a hunt or so (I keep the bore snakes washed and clean). A good thorough clean out every 6 months or so depending on use. I only ever use cloth patches or soft bristle brush. Never brass or copper brushes. Hoppes 9 or such like as a solvent for the big cleans.

Are brass brushes bad for any gun?
The shop told me that they won't scratch the barrel?
I've been putting a fair few patches through my 303 barrel with hopes no9.
I would give a brush between patches and they kept coming out black for a while, but the barrel looks good now.
It probably had not been cleaned for some time prior to me getting it.
I know you have to be careful not to damage the end of the barrel and my main concern is when using a rod that the edge doesn't hit the barrel when you pull it back. Brass is softer than the steel, but there is still a risk.
Makes me wonder if bore snakes are probably safer to use instead for this reason?