to clean or not

[white eagle]

so our gun season for deer is weekend after this
just got back from the range(had to chase 2 deer off)
shot both firearms I plan on using
my question is should I clean them or leave them as is? :Fire:
Oh I am shooting a 358 win.with a 240 gr. Mountain Molds Boolit
and a 44 mag. handgun with a 320 gr. Accurate Molds Boolit
I have a field stand so the shots there will be longer

[hc18flyer]

My 358 is stayin dirty for the one shot I'll need to bag a nice fat doe this weekend! Flyer

[Geezer in NH]

Leave it fouled.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

I cleaned mine right before shooting the only deer I have had to shoot twice (second shot was dead on). A few other members have convinced me that with the proper loads I hardly needed clean at all, just a couple passes with a dry patch or a bore snake from time to time (but never before a hunt) and so far, so good. Loads are ACWW lubed with Johnson's or Recluse and moving around 1500 fps (target) and 1800 fps (hunting) in a 30-06. I'm probably around 100 rounds in since the experiment started and accuracy is still good. Softer hunting alloys might need a little more attention, though.

[Friends call me Pac]

I went to the range yesterday just to shoot 3 fouling shots in my 30.30 rifle so it would be ready for this weekend. I don't plan to do anything to it until after the season is over. Then I'll clean as usual.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
I would not clean it unless you fired so many rounds accuracy was failing. If there is no leading, no obvious building up crud and was hitting correctly I would go hunting with the confidence that barrel will shoot where the sights are.
Our home defense rifle in 44 WCF has 120 rounds through it and no cleaning. I know if needed it will hit where the sights show whether it be a 4 or 2 legged varmit that needs dealing with.
Mike in Peru

[44man]

Do NOT clean it. No need for a dry patch either, what in the world does that do?
My hunting revolvers go 3 or more years and some 5 before cleaning but they are always shot a bunch before hunting. I keep cylinders and the pin clean and lubed. No need to touch the barrel unless like Mike says, leading that you should not have.

[TCLouis]

If I have been shooting a lot of coated bullets, then I will clean and foul with a couple of shots, dry patch and hunt with it.

If I have been shooting boolits (and I know the guns behavior) I will dry patch a couple of strokes and put it away for the hunting trip.

A lot depends on if I know how the gun shoots best and what oit prefers/where it shoots with a clean bore.

I also do NOT have anyplace where I hunt where a shot will exceed 100-150 yards, I do not even have a place to practice that exceeds 110 yards now.

[Blammer]

do the same thing you always do after a trip to the range.

[Brotherbadger]

Leave it fouled.

Yup. Unless you are letting it sit for the next several months, I'd leave it as is.

[waksupi]

I only wipe the barrel when I get home if it is raining or showing while I'm hunting. Just enough to get out the moisture, not the fouling. I'll then run a patch of Ed's Red through, and then a dry patch.

[44man]

Blued guns do need care that stainless does not but gun stainless can also show rust and might need cleaned. I suggest at least one shot before going on stand. You can miss or cripple a deer with a clean gun. Get out of the car and shoot one into the ground, go hunt. I am not joking.

[white eagle]

I left it as it was when I left the range
always used to clean my guns before the season
not now Season opens in 137 hours

[44man]

I left it as it was when I left the range
always used to clean my guns before the season
not now Season opens in 137 hours
Good luck my friend and keep us up to date.

[white eagle]

I will and thanks
T-25hours [smilie=w: