243 cleaning.

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243 cleaning.

Post by Shootermick » 27 May 2021, 2:25 pm

How many rounds do people generally put through their 243’s before giving the bore a good clean? Any ideas on when you start to lose accuracy with a dirty bore?
.22, .22wmr, 223, 243, 303, 20ga, 12ga
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by No1_49er » 27 May 2021, 2:45 pm

Can you see any traces of copper in the rifling when you view the bore from the crown end?
Yes? Clean it.
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by deye243 » 27 May 2021, 2:52 pm

Some barrels as little as 20 some barrels as many as 80 rounds .
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by Bugman » 27 May 2021, 5:15 pm

After a few rounds at the range or in the paddock, I will run a bore snake through or a few patches, but when totally finished and it back into storage, then a full clean takes place. For me, this after an average of 50 rounds with a bit of "sub cleaning" in between.
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by bladeracer » 27 May 2021, 5:26 pm

Shootermick wrote:How many rounds do people generally put through their 243’s before giving the bore a good clean? Any ideas on when you start to lose accuracy with a dirty bore?


The only way you can answer this is by shooting your standard load and see when accuracy starts to drop off.
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by Shootermick » 27 May 2021, 5:45 pm

bladeracer wrote:
Shootermick wrote:How many rounds do people generally put through their 243’s before giving the bore a good clean? Any ideas on when you start to lose accuracy with a dirty bore?


The only way you can answer this is by shooting your standard load and see when accuracy starts to drop off.


That’s why I asked. Missed a couple of shots today and one in particular that was an easy one. It’s had 75 rounds through it since new and not cleaned since it was new and sighted in etc. I might start doing it around the 40 to 50 mark from here on in.
.22, .22wmr, 223, 243, 303, 20ga, 12ga
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by bladeracer » 27 May 2021, 5:55 pm

Shootermick wrote:
bladeracer wrote:
Shootermick wrote:How many rounds do people generally put through their 243’s before giving the bore a good clean? Any ideas on when you start to lose accuracy with a dirty bore?


The only way you can answer this is by shooting your standard load and see when accuracy starts to drop off.


That’s why I asked. Missed a couple of shots today and one in particular that was an easy one. It’s had 75 rounds through it since new and not cleaned since it was new and sighted in etc. I might start doing it around the 40 to 50 mark from here on in.


Shoot a group and see if it's opened up.
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by animalpest » 27 May 2021, 7:44 pm

If you missed an "easy" shot it's unlikely to be cleaning that is the issue. Accuracy can suffer from lack of cleaning within 75 rounds but it should still be reasonable.

If you haven't cleaned it since the original sighting in and have put 75 rounds through it since, then you haven't looked after it.
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by on_one_wheel » 27 May 2021, 7:48 pm

I find my .243 loves a clean, 50 shots max and 20 min
I haven't had a serious accuracy problem from fowling but I do notice a pressure rise when it starts fowling
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by Oldbloke » 28 May 2021, 12:36 am

I'd be checking scope screws etc while your at it.

I clean everytime I use a centerfire when it goes back in the safe. Even if just a few minutes with some eds red or carby cleaner
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by SCJ429 » 28 May 2021, 8:30 am

Shootermick wrote:
bladeracer wrote:
Shootermick wrote:How many rounds do people generally put through their 243’s before giving the bore a good clean? Any ideas on when you start to lose accuracy with a dirty bore?


The only way you can answer this is by shooting your standard load and see when accuracy starts to drop off.


That’s why I asked. Missed a couple of shots today and one in particular that was an easy one. It’s had 75 rounds through it since new and not cleaned since it was new and sighted in etc. I might start doing it around the 40 to 50 mark from here on in.

Oh Dear, your barrel is likely heavily copper fouled. Use an effective copper solvent until all the copper is gone. Then shoot until you see any signs of copper. This may be after only a few shots if you have a rough factory barrel.

Also change the oil in your car if you service it like you clean your barrel. :drinks: :drinks:
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by in2anity » 28 May 2021, 9:34 am

SCJ429 wrote:This may be after only a few shots if you have a rough factory barrel.

I'm running one of those fancy "5R" SS barrels currently - and I tell you what, it's pretty god-damned amazing how little it fouls. Stunningly little cleanup after a match, compared with most of my other barrels, especially the factories.
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by Shootermick » 28 May 2021, 7:10 pm

So is the correct sized jag for a 243 6mm?
.22, .22wmr, 223, 243, 303, 20ga, 12ga
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by Larry » 28 May 2021, 7:14 pm

Yes I use a 6mm in mine or sometimes I will find a jag or brush marked as 243. Jags last nearly forever but brushes dont last that long.
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Re: 243 cleaning.

Post by Shootermick » 28 May 2021, 7:24 pm

Larry wrote:Yes I use a 6mm in mine or sometimes I will find a jag or brush marked as 243. Jags last nearly forever but brushes dont last that long.



Thanks mate.
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