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I will finally get my hands on my first FB rifle in the next couple of weeks, so I need some pointers on maintenance and cleaning regimes and kit. Rifle in question is a Steyr SSG in .308, fitted with a muzzle break. Its going to live at the range so any cleaning needs to be done at the end of the day. I have been shooting shotguns for 20 years and rimfires for about 10, so used to that side of things.

I picked up an Otis sniper cleaning kit by accident on ebay, when I say by accident it was post pub bidding (got it cheap though).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9m3R71So6c
Should I stick with this for my main cleaning regime? What else should I add for cleaning exterior surfaces? What do I need for more in depth barrel cleaning, and how often?

Tool wise it appears the bolt can be dis-assembled without tools ,and the action and stock are connected by 5mm allen screws. So I dont need a lot there, I need to check what the mounts are so I can get quality tools to secure them.

Cheers

Jon

Forrest bore foam is a good choice, give it a squirt whilst the barrel is still warm, then bag it up and back to the club house to patch it out. Avoid WD40 at all costs.

The Otis is a good system and I use it a lot but you will need cleaning rods, jags and brushes as well for good copper removal as well as a bore guide. Parker Hale and Dewey are my choice for coated rods and Pro Shot if you want steel.

For cleaning copper shooting rifles I use Ed's Red and household ammonia patch about, I don't leave the ammonia in the barrel for more than 10 minutes. For really stubborn fouling and speed then I like Wipe Outs Patch Out and Accelerator, if foaming cleaners are what you want then Wipe Out would be my choice although I find foam products wasteful. Accelerator and Patch Out foams up good with a few passes of a nylon bore brush.

forest bore cleaner is very good as well as as bore tech eliminater ive tried the gp1 stuff but didnt like it

also get some kroil for last wiping of the barrel and itll cut with bore shine as well

JonC wrote:What do I need for more in depth barrel cleaning, and how often?

Don't forget a chamber stick (also found in plastic or wood):



A pistol rod (not the rotating handle type) fitted with a .45 Auto phosphor bronze brush is useful for more thorough chamber cleaning.

JonC wrote:the action and stock are connected by 5mm allen screws.

A torque wrench - doesn't necessarily have to be a fancy calibrated type, just able to reproduce repeatable torque on the bedding screws.

..

The Otis cleaning kit is a 'field' cleaning kit - to be used if it's the only option - you couldn't really carry a cleaning rod into battle!

Using any 'pull through' system is the best way to ruin your crown. That You tube video is a joke!

Start off properly and buy:
Proper one-piece cleaning rod (buy a 22 - it will still clean a 308)
Proshot brass jag
Proshot bronze brushes
Proshot patches
Butches Bore Shine for removing the fouling
Proshot Copper remover, Sweets or Bore Tech Eliminator for the copper fouling

All available via Hannam's Reloading at very modest cost.

If you PM me at: vinceb@6ppc.fsnet.co.uk I'll send you detailed cleaning instructions.

Cheers
VInce

At some point I would recommend getting a torque wrench. Much has been written on having consistent tension on the stock bolts as well as the scope mounts. They also take the guess work out of how tight and are you over doing it or not doing enough. You do not want to over tighten clamping rings on a scope mount or risk one coming lose during a shoot.

I have one of these which I felt was particularly good value for money
http://www.gunmart.net/accessories_revi ... ue_driver/

DM

Hi lads,

I see Proshot are being recommended but what solvents and how often do ye use them??