Barrel cleaning and effects

[Bluejay]

Hi there.
Just wondering how often you guys clean your barrel.
Which do you think is the best way to do so, to avoid unwanted effects on groups?

I shot tested a load yesterday under these conditions:

Distance @ 190 yds. approx.
Light breeze
Outside temperature @ 25 degrees Celsius
High Humidity (80/90%)
Barrel length: 24"
Caliber: 6,5x57 RIMMED
Rifle: Blaser K95 single shot (break open)
Scope: 6x42
Powder: NORMA 204
Primer: Federal GM210
Cases: RWS
Bullet: 120 grs. Nosler BT

Results:
First shot out of a shiny cleaned barrel (maybe not clean enough...) about 3,5" lower and 1" to the right of the remaining group of 4 shots.

Group (4 shots): within 1.5" diameter

Now, for hunting purposes a 1.5" group @ 190 yds. is more than what I need.
On the other side, since the first shot is the one which count the most, why did I get such a different impact point from the others (which impacted in the same place as usual and thus correctly?).
Could it be an excess of solvent or oil still inside the barrel/chamber?

Also, even by swapping bullet make I find big differences...

Appreciate your help.

Cheers.

BTW: My rifle seems to better shoot medium/lighter weight bullets, even though its very long head space would call for heavier ones...

 

[live to shoot]

In the benchrest circle I think that they shoot a couple of fouler shots befor the shoot thier group, try shooting your gun the next day without cleaning your barrel, and let us know the results Good Luck

 

[longwinters]

It has been my experience that the 1 shot out of a clean barrel will not shoot with the group. Actually I do not clean my rifles until the end of season or if accuracy starts to fall off as I shoot through out the year.

Long

 

[JD338]

I sight my guns in with a few shots down the tube. I always start a hunt with 2-3 "fouling" shots and to ensure my zero is dead on.
I use Shooters Choice MC7 as a general solvent , Sweets 7.62 for copper fouling, Rem Oil for inner/outer protection and Hoppe's#9 as an aromic reminder of the good 'ol days. :wink:

JD338

 

[big rifle man]

I've gotten just about the same results as everyone else. The first shot seems to be just a bit different for impact point. If the barrel is stainless I don't mind not cleaning until the end of the season but for carbon barrels I have found that there is a good chance for rust if not cleaned, especially if you hunt in the rain or snow as we all eventually do. Has enyone tried corrosion X for rust preventitive. I live in Florida and guns rust while you look at them (humidity is extremely high) Corrosion X has solved any and all previous problems I've had with rust. Works real well in a saltwater enviroment.