How often do you clean your shotgun?

[jt1911]

So I've never owned a shotgun before and I took out my BPS for the first time today( I couldn't hit squat as I found out I needed a modified choke and I was using an improved cylinder). So I was under the impression that you clean like a handgun or rifle, after every use, but the old guy behind the counter said you only needed to clean a shotgun after ever 1000 rounds or so since the wad cleans out the barrel after each shot. And when I do clean it, no need to use a brush to send through the barrel, just a patch. Sounded a bit fishy to me and seemed like neglecting but maybe I'm just anal about things. It does take me like 45 minutes to clean my 1911.

So what's up?

[Millions-Knives]

What are you shooting at? If you're shooting clays with that gun it's probably your technique. It's very much different from shooting a rifle.

Anyway... like all my guns.
Cleaned after every range session.

[Dark&Good]

After shooting or before shooting... depends

[jt1911]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure my form and mechanics all need work( though I was trying to do things like point leading and following through) but I'm just comparing from last trip to this one. Last time I used their range gun and it had a modified choke( I'm pretty sure at least) and I was hitting much easier than with the improved cylinder choke today. So I'm sure it's not all the choke but I'm sure that played some part, at least that's the excuse I'm going with. . .

But yeah, I always thought clean each time.

So clean like any typical firearm? Couple times with the brush, couple times with a patch, and do it until a patch comes out clean? And then do a little scrub with a nylon brush in the receiver area?

[Dark&Good]

Yeah, firearm is firearm... uses some propellant that produces waste, uses lead and other metals that leave residues... Clean it like you clean your rifles, but don't worry about skipping here and there. I'd say semi autos' gas pistons are more important than any other part.
Check the barrel, though, before shooting (unloaded ).
Just to make sure that no leprechaun moved in

[Dark&Good]

Cleaning is a great opportunity to check the parts for damage, too.

[11011500a]

Just practice. For hitting clays some use negitive choke or skeet. Shot size if you are using 7.5 if they will let you try 9. As far as cleaning it I clean them when they need it. I have 400 rounds through mine and I still haven't cleaned it, but if it is going to sit for a long time I clean 'em and oil 'em.good luck

[jt1911]

Sounds good. I'll get to cleaning it tomorrow.

I was shooting 7.5 but I haven't run into any 9, just saw 8's. Would using 7.5 rather than 8 make a difference?

Yeah, I need a lot more practice for sure. I'm hoping that using a modified choke still help a bit more on the trap range.

[11011500a]

I have an Ithica, Winchester, Remington, Mossberg they all point different and all have a different feel sighting down. You just need to get used to your gun. That rental gun could have had a better feel. 8 may help you just get a handful more pellets out there.

[jt1911]

Handful of pellets sounds good, I'll take whatever edge I can get. I'll throw a handfull of rocks after I shoot too.

And that is true, I'm guessing it will take sometime to get comfortable to the gun but am I off here thinking the IC choke was part of the issue and using a Modified will help?

[11011500a]

Mod&IC are both .720 same die a skeet choke is.725 & intermediate/negative is .735 helps open up the pattern faster

[vormav]

I clean my shotgun after each range trip, but don't get as anal as my rifles, just a quick 10-15 minute rub down

[jt1911]

Mod&IC are both .720 same die a skeet choke is.725 & intermediate/negative is .735 helps open up the pattern faster

Sorry if I'm slow but I'm not too keen on the decimal thing, not really sure what all that means.

I just was going by a table that the guy gave me:

Std. Const Effective Range

Skeet .005 20yards
Imp Clynd. .010 25 yards
L. Mod .015 30 yards
Mod .020 35 yards

[jptsr1]

I wipe my 870 down when it gets so dirty that its embarrassing. ill run a snake through it once i cant tell choke from barrel. other then that I don't clean it much.

[Gunaria]

I don't detail clean them until they start acting up. Such as not firing or jamming up. I run a bore snake thru it after about a 100 or so rounds just to remove the wad fouling out. I also wipe it down with a silicone rag just to prevent rust from forming once in awhile.