Cleaning the Bore?

Assuming good quality pellets and a good bore, it's been my experience that barrels seldom need cleaning. One variable is velocity, and since many folks are pushing these soft pellets ever faster, I expect there is a speed at which most of them will begin fouling at a more frequent interval. Conversely, I tuned my HW100 .177 down to 11 fpe a couple of years ago and haven't cleaned the barrel since. That's not scientific and could be merely coincidence. I have owned a couple of barrels that had less than perfect bores and needed cleaning more often. One had to be cleaned as a firearm barrel, using a rod and bronze brush. I expect the only perfect answer is, clean when needed, using proper equipment and technique. In most cases, a pull-through with Ballistol or similar is all that's needed.
 
I've have known hunters that have never cleaned their barrel. I also know competition shooters that keep their barrels spotless.
It also depends on the projectile. With slugs, you should clean more often than with pellets.
For myself, I clean the barrel after each practice session or outing.
For cleaning, I will use a nylon/brass brush with a cleaner Bore Tech Eliminator. I follow up with a pull through patch...overkill, but thorough.
Lots of people use Ballistol, and it works fine...I just do not like the smell of it.
 
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