rifle target accuracy

[Nevada Ed]

Hunting vs matches.

I did all my hunting with a "Cold" barrel, first shot, after a test group, when I got to camp, and a barrel cleaning and a dry bore.

With targets, I usually always shot a "Fowling shot" before getting down to business.

Now I'm wondering, should I start hunting with a barrel, with a few rounds through it, without cleaning it again?

I never thought about this until just a few days ago.

Any ideas on what works the best?

 

[diyj98]

It probably makes no difference as far as "hunting accuracy", but most of my rifles seem to shoot slightly different from a clean bore verses a fouled one. I always shoot my rifle to double check the zero before hunting season then don't clean the bore again till after hunting season.

 

[armadillo]

It probably makes no difference as far as "hunting accuracy", but most of my rifles seem to shoot slightly different from a clean bore verses a fouled one. I always shoot my rifle to double check the zero before hunting season then don't clean the bore again till after hunting season.

Same here, except I would occasionally run a dry patch down the barrel to make sure no debris got in there.

 

[505Gibbs]

Same here, except I would occasionally run a dry patch down the barrel to make sure no debris got in there.

Especially a good idea if it's damp or rainy and you still haven't fired a shot at game.

 

[gfors]

After I practice and confirm zero, for hunting season, I wipe down the rifle, and rubber band the finger of a nitrile glove over the muzzle. This stays in place, keeping out snow, ice, rain, etc.,until the end of the seaon, or until a shot is taken. Pressure of exiting gas blows out finger before bullet exits muzzle. There seems to be no practical effect on accuracy. Bore gets a cleaning at the end of the season.