Stubborn Bore
I can't think of anyone better equipped to help me with this than you lovers of service rifles.
My rifle cleaning experience is limited to 20 years of obsessive/compulsive bore scrubbing in the Marines and my own match rifles. A used rifle has brought me to my wits end.
I've recently acquired a used 700V in 22-250 and can't seem to get the bore clean. I don't expect it to slick up like a hand-lapped Kreiger, but cheese-n-rice, I should at least get it clean.
I get clean patches punching out of the muzzle end and all I have to do is run a few passes with a tight bronze brush to turn things carbon black again. I tried Hoppes, Shooter's Choice, gun scrubber, that foamy stuff, and even JB Bore Paste. I'm embarrassed to admit, I can't get this bore clean.
I'm happy to leave well enough alone, but it just ain't well enough for me. About the best I can do is .75" groups from a rifle I think should live inside a half inch. But I'm not willing to start my load tuning and rifle tinkering with a dirty bore.
I'm not looking for loading and shooting tips. That's the fun part for me, and I'm too bull headed to admit I don't know everything. What I'm asking is, have you experienced this before, the eternally dirty bore? What about your old service rifles? Did your 98 slick up clean as a whistle after a cleaning or three?
I own a switch barrel PPC gun with twin Shilens that clean right up with a few scrubs and a patch of Sweets. A 700 with a Hart, same thing. A home built AR with a Kreiger that never seems to foul. But this varmint shooter has me stumped. Any comments?