Rimfire cleaning question for accurized 10/22

[Citadelgrad87]

I have a separate thread going on some upgrades to my trusty 10/22.

I understand that accurate rimfires don't like to be too clean. This contrasts with my personal style, which is to at least bore snake and clean the action of rimfires every outing, since the ammo is so filthy.

I've never had a cleaning related malfunction in my 10/22, so I am willing to modify my routine.

1. How often should I clean the barrel?

2. If I do not clean the barrel, should I at least clean the action every outing, or just let it be?

Thanks.

[roushstage2]

I just run a boresnake down the barrel of my .22s a couple of times after I shoot. As for the action, I usually leave it be until an issue arises, then I give 'em a spray of CLP and carry on with my shooting. Every few outings, I'll take everything apart and wipe it down.

[Tarasdad]

The only advice I can give is that if it has a match chamber you will need to clean it more regularly. Match chambers are a bit tighter and less forgiving of dirt. A quick clean might be all it needs but at the first sign of extraction difficulties you'll want to be a bit more thorough. For the barrel I wouldn't worry too much until accuracy starts to fall off.

[Occams Rasor]

I clean all my guns after every range trip and just assume I need 5-10 fouling shots on the next trip before they will shoot consistent. My concern is that burnt gun powder can be corrosive.

[Merc1138]

I clean all my guns after every range trip and just assume I need 5-10 fouling shots on the next trip before they will shoot consistent. My concern is that burnt gun powder can be corrosive.

Where are you finding corrosive .22lr?

[Occams Rasor]

Where are you finding corrosive .22lr?

Burnt gunpowder and moisture (humidity) generally turn acidic.

[FiremanBob]

The most complete and rigorous study of cleaning .22 barrels is here: http://www.rrdvegas.com/rimfire-cleaning.html

Cleaning and protecting from water after every outing is a good idea. As noted above, water is a by-product of gunpowder combustion and allowing it to sit in the barrel creates pits. The photos in the referenced article that show increased corrosion along the bottom of the bore illuminate the importance of frequent cleaning.

Cleaning the chamber with a chamber brush and solvent every 200 rounds or so is good for reliability and accuracy.

The most precise .22 shooters I know are the ARA benchrest competitors. Most of them thoroughly clean after every card, which means every 50 shots or so. Then they shoot a few "fouling shots" before the record shots so that they have no fliers due to inconsistent condition inside the bore.

What does "when accuracy falls off" mean? It depends on your standard of accuracy. If you're shooting ARA at 50 yards with worst-edge scoring on a half-inch bullseye, you have a very high standard of accuracy - about 1/4 MOA. If you're shooting Appleseed, you can clean the target with a 3 MOA standard (still, perfect scores are very rare on the AQT).

On a 10/22, keeping the bolt face clean is good for accuracy and reliability, as built-up gunk prevents the case head from seating consistently. Also removing the extractor and cleaning its channel out with a toothbrush and solvent will enable it to maintain a tight hold on the round and prevent FTEs. Cleaning the receiver is less critical because of the loose fit of the bolt anyway, but once you have the bolt out, may as well do it for a thorough job.

All of my rifles get thoroughly cleaned before being returned to the safe. I was taught that one does not go to bed with a dirty rifle. I have never read an interview with a champion shooter in which he says he uses a dirty rifle.

[Merc1138]

Burnt gunpowder and moisture (humidity) generally turn acidic.

Pretty much everything is either acidic or alkaline(which can also cause problems), I've never heard of anyone's guns rusting due to gun powder residue. Moisture on the other hand can and should be dealt with, and is a problem no matter how clean you get your guns.

Crappy old corrosive surplus ammo is such because the primers leave a residue of salt, which is a problem.

[tanakasan]

I have a KIDD tapered SST 20" barrel and clean the bore every 500 rounds or so. Tony Kidd recommends this routine on his barrel page. The chamber and bolt/receiver get cleaned every time out.

Robert