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pdxFrank
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Sounds like another urban legend. Respectfully, have anything to back that "fact" up?
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How often do you clean your barrel?
- Thread starter peaceful_ruler
- Start date
I made the mistake once of cleaning the barrel on my LGV. I thought the accuracy was falling off, but in fact it was me. Here is a photo demonstrating the groups improving after a major barrel clean. At the time I was using FTT’s and the distance was 25 metres.
Gary
Gary
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A good example would be RAW unchoked poly barrels... sometimes takes up to 50 rounds after a thorough cleaning to get back on par! Although usually just a couple mags. The urban legend. Respectfully, is being to anal about barrel cleaning period!
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No Frank I had the same outcome with my Hw77 but not as bad. However I wasn’t as strict on cleaning that barrel.
Not beating my own drum but I’m never that far off at the start. I usually find my groups extending outwards after an extended plink or being outside in the heat for an hour or so.
Gary
Not beating my own drum but I’m never that far off at the start. I usually find my groups extending outwards after an extended plink or being outside in the heat for an hour or so.
Gary
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pdxFrank
Guest
"poly barrel" sounds more like a one-off. we're talking normal steel barrels, right? and just because it takes 50 shots to get "on par" doesn't mean it's because the barrel is "primed". doesn't mean it's not, but without more evidence, i can't just accept that. respectfully.
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The penalty for not cleaning frequently enough is diminished accuracy.
The penalty for cleaning more often than needed is to waste time.
Neither is a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Each person can simply choose which is more important to him.
The penalty for cleaning more often than needed is to waste time.
Neither is a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Each person can simply choose which is more important to him.
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I’ll talk like an old specwar sailor. Cleaning a gun and or a barrel accomplishes a few things. First and foremost you are going over a gun visually which may help you spot an issue before it becomes a problem. Consistency - if you hunt with the same gun you punch paper with, do so with the same barrel - be consistent dirty or clean. The time spent cleaning and inspecting guns is to some degree meditative - you will be contemplating your sessions and how to improve in the future. Lastly, any activity with your airguns is better than any activity in front of the 
Tv. I think we forget that the quality of the pellets we are launching can be affected by a barrel good or bad as lead fills in a confined space.
Tv. I think we forget that the quality of the pellets we are launching can be affected by a barrel good or bad as lead fills in a confined space. Last edited:
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A good barrel will shoot well from the start. A lousy barrel (most of them in airguns) takes 100s of pellets to "season" it. And even then, may not ever shoot well consistently.
The standard for airgun barrels is MUCH MUCH lower than that for firearm barrels. (heavy sigh)
They (accurate airgun barrels) can be and are made, but you will usually pay a price and will definitely pay a high price if you want it "guaranteed". (LOL! Nothing is guaranteed...)
One exception I had was with the 2 .177 Nova Vista Freedoms I own. Before the onboard pumps broke on them, they were tack drivers nearly right out of the box with CPUM pellets!. I could never get the .22 Freedom working well enough to test its accuracy.
So, I guess what I am saying is that good barrels CAN and HAVE been made that don't cost an arm and a leg. However, if you believe the marketing, you will have to come up with some high $$$$ if you want a good barrel. (heavy sigh/cynical chuckle)
Believe what you want to believe... go with what actually works... er...um... if you can actually afford it.
The standard for airgun barrels is MUCH MUCH lower than that for firearm barrels. (heavy sigh)
They (accurate airgun barrels) can be and are made, but you will usually pay a price and will definitely pay a high price if you want it "guaranteed". (LOL! Nothing is guaranteed...)
One exception I had was with the 2 .177 Nova Vista Freedoms I own. Before the onboard pumps broke on them, they were tack drivers nearly right out of the box with CPUM pellets!. I could never get the .22 Freedom working well enough to test its accuracy.
So, I guess what I am saying is that good barrels CAN and HAVE been made that don't cost an arm and a leg. However, if you believe the marketing, you will have to come up with some high $$$$ if you want a good barrel. (heavy sigh/cynical chuckle)
Believe what you want to believe... go with what actually works... er...um... if you can actually afford it.
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Agree and I think a lot of folks just like to dote on their guns and rationalize it by claiming that cleaning “improves accuracy.” Maybe it does, but also no harm if not and it just makes you feel better to have a clean barrel.
R
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Same I clean when new with a patch worm or loop and string brand new and usually it takes dozens of patches with ballistol but then I only clean when accuracy suffers. That cleaning is usually 5 patches or so just to remove excess lead but leaving some in the grooves in the rifling grooves. I had one rifle that needed cleaning every tin of pellets but it was an old bam 29 and I think the barrel needed polishing. I don't clean my powder burners barrel every time either. Occasionally I will pull a patch through but again I don't get a brush out until accuracy changes. Cleaning every time is a legacy of days with corrosive powder. However if I lived in a humid environment I would run a couple of patches after every use to prevent rust. Hope this helps.
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Poly barrel is in reference to a Polygonally rifled steel barrel, commonly shortened to Poly in conversation.
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pdxFrank
Guest
where is that "fact" tested? (opinions don't matter much)
funny how of all the guns, the "one exception" is the one you own. (lol)
i believe what can be proven (thus why i'm an atheist)
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I recommend using the Patchworm system when you do deside to clean the barrel. Patchworm sells felt cleaning buttons and patches. The felt buttons lightly soaked in Ballistol scrub a lot of lead. Follow up with patches. The Heavy Duty patches work very well in .20 and .25 caliber. The regular patches seem to work best in .177 and .22. Very good product.
patchworm.com
Doh! Forgot the link.
Felt Buttons & Cotton Patches - PatchWorm
Product Categories: Pocket Field Kit | Tactical Field Kit | Small Caliber Kits Including .177 | Felt Buttons & Cotton Patches | Cleaning Compounds & Solvents | Replacement Parts & Accessories | Sight Paint Kit
patchworm.com Doh! Forgot the link.
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atheists lack proof of their claim. they cannot prove the reverse either,,, agnostics have the good sense to say "I do not know"
I have have several barrels that require shooting a couple of magazines to resume their accuracy after cleaning, and NO I did not document it, just to convince a negative attitude.
gun barrels are different, what is true of some is not true of others,,,, try the pudding, I like the vanilla, some prefer banana, or tapioca
many others have had the same experience, of re-seasoning a barrel after a good cleaning.
but as 'how often do I clean a barrel?',,, when it tells me to,, by losing accuracy,,, if it ain't broke why the heck are you messing with it?
I have have several barrels that require shooting a couple of magazines to resume their accuracy after cleaning, and NO I did not document it, just to convince a negative attitude.
gun barrels are different, what is true of some is not true of others,,,, try the pudding, I like the vanilla, some prefer banana, or tapioca
many others have had the same experience, of re-seasoning a barrel after a good cleaning.
but as 'how often do I clean a barrel?',,, when it tells me to,, by losing accuracy,,, if it ain't broke why the heck are you messing with it?
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IMO
Yes, absolutely.
Rough internal finish equates to more debris stripped from the projectile.
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