How To Clean A Hunting Rifle

Want to know how to clean a hunting rifle?  As a hunting rifle is used, its barrel becomes dirty, and the lands and grooves inside become clogged with unburned powder, carbon, lead and/or copper dust, and bullet lube.  Cleaning a hunting rifle after each use can ensure consistent accuracy and improve your shooting.

You Will Need:

• your rifle
• cleaning rod and pads
• paper towels or small rags
• gun cleaning solvent
• gun oil

How to Clean a Hunting Rifle

1.  Unload the gun.  Remove the magazine and remove any ammunition from the magazine.  Open the bolt and check the chamber for ammunition; if a bullet is present, remove it.  Place the ammunition in a secure location away from the area you're using to clean your hunting rifle.

2.  Remove the bolt.  Once you're sure no ammunition remains in the gun, pull the trigger and remove the bolt.  Push down on the release lever and remove the bolt from the rifle.

3.  Put a drop of solvent on a clean pad.  Attach this pad to the cleaning rod.  Insert the cleaning rod into the barrel from the bolt end.  If the rod is long enough, pull the rod out the muzzle end of the barrel.  If the rod is not long enough to reach from the muzzle end, push it into the barrel as far as possible, then pull it all the way out from the bolt end.  Repeat with a fresh, solvent-free pad until the pads come out clean.

4.  Put a drop of gun oil on a clean pad and attach it to the cleaning rod.  Run the oiled pad through the barrel once.  Remove the oiled pad, attach a clean, dry pad to the cleaning rod, and run it through the barrel once as well.

5.  Clean the bolt.  Put some solvent on a clean pad and wipe down all surfaces of the bolt.  Repeat if necessary.  Use a clean, dry pad to wipe all surfaces of the bolt, then place a drop of gun oil on the bolt and into the tract.

6.  Wipe down the remaining gun surfaces using a clean, dry pad or rag.  If desired, place a drop of gun oil on a pad or rag and wipe down the gun as well.

7.  Clean the magazine. Like the bolt, place some solvent on a clean pad and wipe down all surfaces of the magazine.  Repeat if necessary.  Follow with a clean, dry pad.  Oil if desired.

8.  Re-assemble the rifle.  Your clean hunting rifle is ready for use.