Top 31 How Often Should I Clean My Shotgun Best 228 Answer

You are looking for information, articles, knowledge about the topic nail salons open on sunday near me how often should i clean my shotgun on Google, you do not find the information you need! Here are the best content compiled and compiled by the https://chewathai27.com team, along with other related topics such as: how often should i clean my shotgun how often to clean over under shotgun, shotgun maintenance, how often should i clean my 9mm pistol, how to clean a shotgun, shotgun barrel cleaner, how to clean a new shotgun, how to clean pump shotgun, servicing a shotgun

Should you clean your shotgun after every use?

At a minimum, shotguns should be wiped down with an oily rag after every hunt or session at the clays range. If they don’t have chrome-lined bores, their barrels should be cleaned every time they are shot, too.

How often do you need to clean a 12 gauge shotgun?

You should give your shotgun a thorough cleaning every 200 rounds or so. That bigger job is complemented by a regular bore cleaning, choke tightening and wipe-down at the end of your shooting day.

Should you clean a shotgun barrel?

Every time you come home after the hunt, even if you haven’t fired a shot, you have to clean and lubricate your gun. It’s the only way to protect it against rust. Even if you’ve fired just a few shots, or even one, the fumes will have dirtied the barrels, the action, and the other mechanical parts.

What is best for cleaning shotgun?

Cleaning the Shotgun

Using a cleaning tool, such as a utility brush or cleaning swabs, and remove any loose particles that may be found within the action, bolt, receiver, frame and chamber. For field guns with widespread mud/debris, use a cleaner/degreaser spray.

Should you oil the inside of a shotgun barrel?

Improper care of your rifle, shotgun, pistol, or other firearms may result in it malfunctioning and/or rusting. While cleaning the outside of a gun is routine knowledge among gun owners, you’re not alone in asking, “Should I oil the inside of my gun barrel?” The answer is, yes, but make sure you’re doing it correctly.

How long can you go without cleaning your gun?

A gun can typically go about 6 months without cleaning if it is not being used regularly. If you use it frequently you will need to make a judgment call. Of course, anytime there is any potential for moisture coming in contact with the gun you should clean it before storing it away.

How often do you need to clean Mossberg 500?

While some Mossberg 500 owners prefer to clean their shotgun after each trip to the range or after each hunting trip, those who have a Mossberg 500 for home security or simply as a part of their collection say they only complete a full, detailed cleaning once every few years.

Are shotguns easy to clean?

Don’t stress, shotguns are relatively simple. Make sure to do a thorough cleaning once or twice a year, or after multiple boxes have gone through your gun. I typically do an intensive scouring after residue build-up becomes visible.

Does a dirty shotgun barrel affect accuracy?

The short answer is “yes.” A dirty bore can affect patterns. The long answer is somewhat involved. Bush says it varies from gun to gun. Some like to be squeaky-clean, some shoot best when they are slightly fouled, and others need to be filthy dirty to perform at their best.

Do you oil the outside of a gun barrel?

Do not lubricate the bore using gun oil! For long term storage only, the bore can be treated with a heavier lubricant such as Barricade (or equivalent). This must be removed by cleaning the barrel prior to shooting the firearm! Clean the exterior of the barrel, barrel hood, barrel lug, and the feed ramp.

What are the parts of a shotgun called?

Shotguns. The basic parts of a shotgun can be broken down into the stock, action, and barrel. The Stock is the part of the shotgun you hold as well as the part that rests against your shoulder. The Action is the part of the gun that loads, fires, and discards the spent shotgun shells.

Does Hoppes 9 Remove rust?

Hoppe’s No. 9 rust and lead remover cloth is a pre-treated, multi-purpose cloth. Removes rust and lead deposits without hard scrubbing. Cloth is non-abrasive and will not harm wood finishes.

What is the best thing to clean guns with?

The best way to break through all the grime and residue from shooting is to use the best gun solvents possible.
  • Best Overall: Hoppe’s No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaner.
  • Best Non-Toxic: CLP by Sage & Braker.
  • Best for Rifles: M-Pro7 Gun Cleaner.
  • Best Spray: Ballistol.
  • Best Cleaner and Lube: Break Free CLP.

Do you need to clean a bore snake?

To increase your BoreSnake’s ability to dislodge and remove debris from the bore, you must clean your BoreSnake regularly. Wipe it with a clean, dry cloth after every use and wash it by hand or machine once it begins to show soil buildup.

Can you clean a gun too much?

Some parts in your gun—we’re thinking rings and springs, but others too—can be damaged by too frequent/overzealous cleaning.

What happens if you dont clean your gun?

They leave behind remnants of carbon from the gunpowder, as well as trace amounts of lead and copper. The residual fouling can build up in the barrel, affecting your precision and potentially your handgun’s reliability. Failure to fire: Failure to fire is a common issue with guns that don’t see regular cleaning.

Should you clean a new gun?

It needs to be cleaned and lubed prior to shooting. Also, most manufacturers have specific instructions for breaking in the firearm. It takes time for a new gun to “wear in” all the parts so they fit correctly; new guns (and magazines) will be stiff and the gun won’t be at its best until it’s broken in.


Smyth Busters: How Often Do You Have To Clean a Gun (Really)?
Smyth Busters: How Often Do You Have To Clean a Gun (Really)?


Cleaning – Shotgun Life

  • Article author: www.shotgunlife.com
  • Reviews from users: 27896 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 3.8 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about Cleaning – Shotgun Life Excessive grease can collect resue and dust, creating a gritty compound abrasive to steel. You should give your shotgun a thorough cleaning every 200 rounds … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Cleaning – Shotgun Life Excessive grease can collect resue and dust, creating a gritty compound abrasive to steel. You should give your shotgun a thorough cleaning every 200 rounds … shotgun, cleaning, clean, can, gun, choke, oil, their, //www, shootingDo you really need to clean your shotgun?
  • Table of Contents:

Cleaning Your Shotgun (Or Not)

Shotgun Life Newsletters

About Shotgun Life

Connect With Us

Cleaning - Shotgun Life
Cleaning – Shotgun Life

Read More

When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365

  • Article author: www.range365.com
  • Reviews from users: 8889 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 3.7 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365 Updating …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365 Updating After every use or once a year? Quick wipedown or thorough detail work? Here’s how to keep your shotgun clean and happy.
  • Table of Contents:

Links

Follow us

DISCLAIMER(S)

When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365
When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365

Read More

Cleaning – Shotgun Life

  • Article author: www.shotgunlife.com
  • Reviews from users: 5972 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 4.2 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about Cleaning – Shotgun Life Updating …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Cleaning – Shotgun Life Updating shotgun, cleaning, clean, can, gun, choke, oil, their, //www, shootingDo you really need to clean your shotgun?
  • Table of Contents:

Cleaning Your Shotgun (Or Not)

Shotgun Life Newsletters

About Shotgun Life

Connect With Us

Cleaning - Shotgun Life
Cleaning – Shotgun Life

Read More

Cleaning your shotgun: neglect it at your own risk!

  • Article author: blog.hunting-spot.com
  • Reviews from users: 7786 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 4.5 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about Cleaning your shotgun: neglect it at your own risk! Updating …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Cleaning your shotgun: neglect it at your own risk! Updating Our shotgun, for the deflagration of dust, tends to retain residues and to get dirty with various types of debris. Some of these are very corrosive and if they are not removed. So let’s see how to properly clean our shotgun.
  • Table of Contents:

Why it always was and still is so important to carefully clean your shotgun

Watch out for damp! What are its effects on the gun

How often do you need to clean a gun

How to clean a (side-by-side overunder or semi-automatic) shotgun

How to clean interchangeable chokes

Almost finished! Drying and final cleaning

Think about how long it will be before you use the gun again

Cleaning your shotgun: neglect it at your own risk!
Cleaning your shotgun: neglect it at your own risk!

Read More

How to Properly Clean a Shotgun | Hoppes

  • Article author: www.hoppes.com
  • Reviews from users: 27618 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 3.3 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about How to Properly Clean a Shotgun | Hoppes Updating …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to Properly Clean a Shotgun | Hoppes Updating Learn how to properly clean a shotgun barrel from the pros at the original gun cleaning company, Hoppes No. 9.5 Steps to Proper Gun Cleaning for Shotguns
  • Table of Contents:
How to Properly Clean a Shotgun | Hoppes
How to Properly Clean a Shotgun | Hoppes

Read More

When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365

  • Article author: www.range365.com
  • Reviews from users: 20697 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 3.7 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365 At a minimum, shotguns should be wiped down with an oily rag after every hunt or session at the clays range. If they don’t have chrome-lined … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365 At a minimum, shotguns should be wiped down with an oily rag after every hunt or session at the clays range. If they don’t have chrome-lined … After every use or once a year? Quick wipedown or thorough detail work? Here’s how to keep your shotgun clean and happy.
  • Table of Contents:

Links

Follow us

DISCLAIMER(S)

When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365
When to Clean a Shotgun | Range 365

Read More

Gun maintenance every gun owner should know about

  • Article author: www.shootinguk.co.uk
  • Reviews from users: 44659 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 4.7 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about Gun maintenance every gun owner should know about A: It all depends on how many cartrges you fire in 12 months, but once a year is quite enough for most guns – proving you have a thorough normal cleaning … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Gun maintenance every gun owner should know about A: It all depends on how many cartrges you fire in 12 months, but once a year is quite enough for most guns – proving you have a thorough normal cleaning … Gun maintenance is crucial to prolong the life of your gun and for safe shooting. Here is how to clean, maintain and store your shotgun and rifle.
  • Table of Contents:

A few commonly asked questions about shotgun cleaning

A useful gun maintenance cleaning routine

Have a professional service annually too

Tools for gun maintenance

Guide to cleaning your gun

Some more advice for gun maintenance

What should I do if my gun gets soaked

What about your gun slip

Any tips for cleaning black powder from a gun

Step by step Check an old gun for wear and tear

How often should you clean an airgun barrel

How to store and service shooting gear once the season is over

Caring for your air rifle in cold wet weather

How to clean a fouled rifle bore

How to adjust trigger-pull weight

Gunsmithing at home when you shouldn’t DIY your gun

The best gun oil Why you shouldn’t skimp on cleaning your gun

How to clean a shotgun

How can I restore the shine to my gun

Should I store my gun butt-down or muzzle-down

Why you should never let snow get into your barrels

How to clean and care for a semi-auto shotgun

What happens when you shorten a rifle barrel

How to remove a stuck choke from a shotgun barrel

How to service and store a shotgun at the end of the season

Professional shotgun cleaning Why it’s worth every penny

Things that affect rifle accuracy (and how to correct them)

How tight must the stock and scope screws on my gun be

Will gun cleaning affect the accuracy of my 22 rimfire

How do I choose a labrador puppy

Crossbreed gundogs the rise of the working mongrel

The best kit for grey squirrel control – my go-to list

So what’s so special about Teague chokes

10 tips for being the perfect shooting host!

Advice

Can I buy a Purdey or Holland & Holland on a budget

Gun buying guide

How to buy a decent shotgun for under £500

16-bore cartridge review

Rizzini Artemis 16 bore

Rizzini RB EM 16-bore

Should I shoot game birds with a side-by-side or over-and-under

What causes colour variations in the rabbits I’m ferreting

Gun maintenance every gun owner should know about
Gun maintenance every gun owner should know about

Read More

​How Often Should You Clean Your Gun (Beginners Guide) – Otis Technology

  • Article author: otistec.com
  • Reviews from users: 8982 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 4.1 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about ​How Often Should You Clean Your Gun (Beginners Guide) – Otis Technology Generally speaking, a quick cleaning process after 250-300 rounds can prevent carbon particles from building up along the barrel and help you … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for ​How Often Should You Clean Your Gun (Beginners Guide) – Otis Technology Generally speaking, a quick cleaning process after 250-300 rounds can prevent carbon particles from building up along the barrel and help you … Gun Cleaning, Gun Care, Gun maintenance, CLP, Gun Oil, Gun Lubricant, Gun lube, Gun Solvent, firearm solvent, Gun tools, AR tools, AR cleaning, pistol cleaning, shotgun cleaning, rifle cleaning, Gun cleaning helps maintain your firearm's reliability and accuracy. Article contributed to Otis Technology by Kevin Cadet is the founder & editor of Thegunplanet.com
  • Table of Contents:
​How Often Should You Clean Your Gun (Beginners Guide) - Otis Technology
​How Often Should You Clean Your Gun (Beginners Guide) – Otis Technology

Read More

How often do shotguns need to be cleaned? – Quora

  • Article author: www.quora.com
  • Reviews from users: 26868 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 3.5 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about How often do shotguns need to be cleaned? – Quora Ideally, they should be cleaned after each use and at the very least after three sessions of use. Modern smokeless powders aren’t as corrosive as older black … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How often do shotguns need to be cleaned? – Quora Ideally, they should be cleaned after each use and at the very least after three sessions of use. Modern smokeless powders aren’t as corrosive as older black … How often do you use them? How long do you go between uses? Ideally, they should be cleaned after each use and at the very least after three sessions of use. Modern smokeless powders aren’t as corrosive as older black powders, but they still leave…
  • Table of Contents:
How often do shotguns need to be cleaned? - Quora
How often do shotguns need to be cleaned? – Quora

Read More

How often should I be cleaning my shotgun? | The Bullet Stop

  • Article author: www.thebulletstop.com
  • Reviews from users: 27963 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 3.7 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about How often should I be cleaning my shotgun? | The Bullet Stop It’s a question we get asked frequently this time of year. While there are no hard-and-fast rules for how often you should be cleaning your shotgun, … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How often should I be cleaning my shotgun? | The Bullet Stop It’s a question we get asked frequently this time of year. While there are no hard-and-fast rules for how often you should be cleaning your shotgun, …
  • Table of Contents:
How often should I be cleaning my shotgun? | The Bullet Stop
How often should I be cleaning my shotgun? | The Bullet Stop

Read More

How Often Should I Clean My Gun?

– Blue Wonder Gun Care Products

  • Article author: www.bluewonderguncare.com
  • Reviews from users: 36531 ⭐ Ratings
  • Top rated: 4.9 ⭐
  • Lowest rated: 1 ⭐
  • Summary of article content: Articles about How Often Should I Clean My Gun?

    – Blue Wonder Gun Care Products Some people like to clean their gun after each use. A clean and well-lubricated barrel – especially for rifles and pistols — prevents rust and … …

  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How Often Should I Clean My Gun?

    – Blue Wonder Gun Care Products Some people like to clean their gun after each use. A clean and well-lubricated barrel – especially for rifles and pistols — prevents rust and … This is one of the most asked questions we receive. How often an owner should clean their firearms is dependent upon many moving factors. Frequency of shooting, of gun, type of ammunition shot (some ammo is REALLY dirty), and weather conditions can all be determining factors on how often you should clean your gun. In gHow Often Should I Clean My Gun?,,Blue Wonder Gun Care Products ,www.bluewonderguncare.com

  • Table of Contents:
How Often Should I Clean My Gun?

– Blue Wonder Gun Care Products
How Often Should I Clean My Gun?

– Blue Wonder Gun Care Products

Read More


See more articles in the same category here: https://chewathai27.com/toplist.

Shotgun Life

Do you really need to clean your shotgun?You’d be surprised that the answer is: “It depends.”One 50-year veteran shooter will hardly ever clean his over/under. He’ll go shoot birds in Argentina with a dirty shotgun, spend a few days shooting 4,000 rounds or so — and just keep on shooting without a drop of Hoppe’s ever touching it.Then there are shotgun owners with semi-automatics that need to give it a good cleaning every 300 rounds or so.And then of course there are shooters who clean their shotguns after a few rounds of skeet.What’s right? What’s wrong? Well, it depends.In this section you learn the ins and outs of proper shotgun care…

Let’s air the dirty truth: there are shotgunners who never (or hardly ever) clean their guns. Some consider it a badge of honor, a nod to days gone by.

So if you’re looking for permission to shoot a dirty shotgun, you have it. And you’d be in pretty good company because many of these diehards are mighty fine shots and very comfortable in their own skin.

On the other hand, if you prefer a clean shotgun, there are more products than you can ever imagine to help you get the job done right. Some products are specific to a gauge (like bore snakes, tornado brushes and wool mops.) Others are universal (solvents, patches, polishes and lubricants).

The Legends

Among them are the legends, such as RustePrufe, Hoppe’s No. 9 Nitro Powder Solvent and Cleanzoil. Walk into a gun shop aromatic of the legends and you’ll immediately sense a warm feeling of authenticity — a place of tradition, integrity and that rare side-by-side you’ll notice on the rack.

Read the Manual

The Wrong Oil

Strip It Off Periodically

The Best Way to Ensure Safe Shooting

While a good cleaning is great for your gun, it can also be pretty nice for your state of mind. Down in your basement, or in your garage, you may find yourself cleaning your shotgun simply because it’s relaxing. As the barrel shines under your cloth and the action comes clean with some Hoppe’s and cotton patches, there’s a small sense of gratification that can becomes more elusive as the world turns digital.Still, some shotgun cleaning jobs can be a little more demanding than others.If you’re cleaning a pump or auto-loaders, you may find that your shotgun cleaning becomes more of a puzzle than a stroll in the park.Eventually, you’ll be able to clean them in a snap, but it’s important to read the manual before cleaning your gun for the first time. Just because you know how one pump or semiautomatic works doesn’t mean that much when it comes to other shotguns.New shooters may be surprised at the pump and semiautomatic parts that should or should not be cleaned. The biggest risk faced by cleaning these guns is applying too much lubricant and literally gumming up the works.Another common error in shotgun cleaning is the application of the wrong lubricant. Guns get hot and gun oil is specifically formulated to deal with the heat and residue of guns. Also, don’t apply gun oil to the wood. This type of oil is designed for metal. If you want to clean your wood you can use something as common as spray-on furniture polish or find a wax specifically designed to protect your stock and fore-end.When it comes to wood or steel, your number-one priority is to eliminate moisture. Wet wood will crack and wet steel will rust. You can shoot your shotgun all day long in the rain providing it is well-cleaned and adequately oiled — and that you dry it immediately before returning the shotgun to its case.A good rule of thumb when it comes to lubricating your gun is to apply oil any place metal touches metal. Hinges, trunions and ejectors seem like the obvious places. But there’s also the “ears” where the barrel joins the receiver, the locking lug often deep in the receiver or the fore-end lock.Now some shooters think that by virtue of cleaning their bores that they are also cleaning their chokes. Well, that’s only partially true. If you unscrewed your choke and cleaned it, you’d be shocked at the layers of grime it collects. Leave a dirty choke in the barrel long enough, and the grime build-up could allow rust to creep in — locking your choke to the threads in the muzzle.There are plenty of good choke solvents on the market. Use them. And make sure you also use either gun oil or choke-tube lubricant when screwing the choke back in. You don’t have to lather it on. Just a dab at the beginning of the threads will do the job.Can you be too diligent about cleaning your shotgun?Well sort of. Make sure that you periodically strip off the old lubricants and replace with a fresh application. Excessive grease can collect residue and dust, creating a gritty compound abrasive to steel.You should give your shotgun a thorough cleaning every 200 rounds or so. That bigger job is complemented by a regular bore cleaning, choke tightening and wipe-down at the end of your shooting day.Wingshooters who only use their shotguns during the hunting season should remove field debris from the magazine tubes, wipe down the wood, remove any moisture and clean the gas system, gas ports and action springs before packing away your shotgun. Put it in a childproof, moisture-proof case.You may also want to go the extra mile in this case by removing the gun every 30-45 days from storage and wiping down the parts with an oil-impregnated cloth.When the next opening season rolls around, what you don’t want to see is rust or crud when you open your case.New shooters may want to start with one of the fully loaded cleaning kits that often include brushes, patches, rods, solvents, waxes — anything you need to keep your shotgun clean.Perhaps the biggest benefit to cleaning your shotgun is safety. How many times have you seen someone struggle with a semiautomatic that jammed. The shotgun is pointed in the wrong direction, safety falls by the wayside and next thing you know a shell is accidentally discharged.Keeping a clean shotgun only takes a few minutes. It’s the easiest way to keep your sunnyside up on those beautiful shooting days.Helpful links:

When to Clean a Shotgun

A friend who learned from his artillery officer-father to keep every gun spotless all the time, used to run the parts of his Remington 11-87 through the dishwasher after every hunt. He never had a lick of trouble with it.

On the other hand, a Beretta rep told me recently that one his customers had taken his A400 to Argentina four times and still hadn’t cleaned it, and the gun was working fine.

I don’t subscribe to “after every hunt” or to “never” when it comes to gun cleaning, but to a happy medium in between.

At a minimum, shotguns should be wiped down with an oily rag after every hunt or session at the clays range. If they don’t have chrome-lined bores, their barrels should be cleaned every time they are shot, too. I will confess to sometimes using a BoreSnake for that kind of stop-gap cleaning. Older Brownings are notorious for having chambers that rusted at the slightest provocation. Likewise, the matte finish on a Remington 870 Express turns orange if it gets the slightest bit damp, so I’d give any of those guns immediate attention after every outing.

If any gun gets wet, get it out of the case and wiped down immediately after getting home, especially if you use one of those non-breathable floating cases. And by “immediately” I mean as soon as you get home, not a few hours later. It’s surprising how quickly a gun can freckle up with rust when it’s in a non-breathable case.

Keep your rifle, handgun, or shotgun in top working order with these seven essential items. 7 Things You Need to Clean a Gun

Every few hundred rounds is about the right interval for a thorough cleaning of most pumps and semi-autos. Guns definitely need cleaning after a downpour, sandstorm, or mud bath. I relearned this lesson after letting one of our high-school trap team kids shoot my Beretta 391 in a heavy rain this spring. I wiped the gun down, inside and out, adequately, I thought. It wouldn’t work next time I tried to shoot it, and just about every part inside that could rust, had rusted. Luckily, it all came off with some elbow grease and the gun worked fine.

Besides the usual gun-cleaning supplies, I would add Flitz to any list of cleaners that gun owners should keep on hand. It’s a non-abrasive polish that removes rust miraculously, especially when dabbed on a piece of very fine steel wool. The various gun scrubbers – or Liquid Wrench – are good for degunking filthy guns if you don’t want to take them all the way apart. Hold the gun over a thick stack of newspapers and blast the cleaner inside until it runs out clear. Do this outside. The stuff smells vile.

Don’t neglect your choke tubes or magazine tubes. Remove choke tubes, clean off the threads with a brush, clean the threads in the barrel, then re-grease the tube and put it back in. Otherwise you’ll be left with a fixed-choke gun. Take the spring and follower out of your magazine every once in a while, and clean it. It’s surprising how much crud winds up in the tube. Occasionally, I pull the action spring out of my semiautos, but whenever I do, it’s kind of a pain and the springs are pretty clean, so I don’t do it often unless I know the gun has been in the water. Your mileage may vary on that one.

Don’t neglect your firing pins. A drop of CLP down the hole in the breech face usually keeps the pins snapping briskly as they should. With CLP, as well as any kind of oily lube, less is always more when it comes to lubricating the gun after cleaning.

Shotgun Life

Do you really need to clean your shotgun?You’d be surprised that the answer is: “It depends.”One 50-year veteran shooter will hardly ever clean his over/under. He’ll go shoot birds in Argentina with a dirty shotgun, spend a few days shooting 4,000 rounds or so — and just keep on shooting without a drop of Hoppe’s ever touching it.Then there are shotgun owners with semi-automatics that need to give it a good cleaning every 300 rounds or so.And then of course there are shooters who clean their shotguns after a few rounds of skeet.What’s right? What’s wrong? Well, it depends.In this section you learn the ins and outs of proper shotgun care…

Let’s air the dirty truth: there are shotgunners who never (or hardly ever) clean their guns. Some consider it a badge of honor, a nod to days gone by.

So if you’re looking for permission to shoot a dirty shotgun, you have it. And you’d be in pretty good company because many of these diehards are mighty fine shots and very comfortable in their own skin.

On the other hand, if you prefer a clean shotgun, there are more products than you can ever imagine to help you get the job done right. Some products are specific to a gauge (like bore snakes, tornado brushes and wool mops.) Others are universal (solvents, patches, polishes and lubricants).

The Legends

Among them are the legends, such as RustePrufe, Hoppe’s No. 9 Nitro Powder Solvent and Cleanzoil. Walk into a gun shop aromatic of the legends and you’ll immediately sense a warm feeling of authenticity — a place of tradition, integrity and that rare side-by-side you’ll notice on the rack.

Read the Manual

The Wrong Oil

Strip It Off Periodically

The Best Way to Ensure Safe Shooting

While a good cleaning is great for your gun, it can also be pretty nice for your state of mind. Down in your basement, or in your garage, you may find yourself cleaning your shotgun simply because it’s relaxing. As the barrel shines under your cloth and the action comes clean with some Hoppe’s and cotton patches, there’s a small sense of gratification that can becomes more elusive as the world turns digital.Still, some shotgun cleaning jobs can be a little more demanding than others.If you’re cleaning a pump or auto-loaders, you may find that your shotgun cleaning becomes more of a puzzle than a stroll in the park.Eventually, you’ll be able to clean them in a snap, but it’s important to read the manual before cleaning your gun for the first time. Just because you know how one pump or semiautomatic works doesn’t mean that much when it comes to other shotguns.New shooters may be surprised at the pump and semiautomatic parts that should or should not be cleaned. The biggest risk faced by cleaning these guns is applying too much lubricant and literally gumming up the works.Another common error in shotgun cleaning is the application of the wrong lubricant. Guns get hot and gun oil is specifically formulated to deal with the heat and residue of guns. Also, don’t apply gun oil to the wood. This type of oil is designed for metal. If you want to clean your wood you can use something as common as spray-on furniture polish or find a wax specifically designed to protect your stock and fore-end.When it comes to wood or steel, your number-one priority is to eliminate moisture. Wet wood will crack and wet steel will rust. You can shoot your shotgun all day long in the rain providing it is well-cleaned and adequately oiled — and that you dry it immediately before returning the shotgun to its case.A good rule of thumb when it comes to lubricating your gun is to apply oil any place metal touches metal. Hinges, trunions and ejectors seem like the obvious places. But there’s also the “ears” where the barrel joins the receiver, the locking lug often deep in the receiver or the fore-end lock.Now some shooters think that by virtue of cleaning their bores that they are also cleaning their chokes. Well, that’s only partially true. If you unscrewed your choke and cleaned it, you’d be shocked at the layers of grime it collects. Leave a dirty choke in the barrel long enough, and the grime build-up could allow rust to creep in — locking your choke to the threads in the muzzle.There are plenty of good choke solvents on the market. Use them. And make sure you also use either gun oil or choke-tube lubricant when screwing the choke back in. You don’t have to lather it on. Just a dab at the beginning of the threads will do the job.Can you be too diligent about cleaning your shotgun?Well sort of. Make sure that you periodically strip off the old lubricants and replace with a fresh application. Excessive grease can collect residue and dust, creating a gritty compound abrasive to steel.You should give your shotgun a thorough cleaning every 200 rounds or so. That bigger job is complemented by a regular bore cleaning, choke tightening and wipe-down at the end of your shooting day.Wingshooters who only use their shotguns during the hunting season should remove field debris from the magazine tubes, wipe down the wood, remove any moisture and clean the gas system, gas ports and action springs before packing away your shotgun. Put it in a childproof, moisture-proof case.You may also want to go the extra mile in this case by removing the gun every 30-45 days from storage and wiping down the parts with an oil-impregnated cloth.When the next opening season rolls around, what you don’t want to see is rust or crud when you open your case.New shooters may want to start with one of the fully loaded cleaning kits that often include brushes, patches, rods, solvents, waxes — anything you need to keep your shotgun clean.Perhaps the biggest benefit to cleaning your shotgun is safety. How many times have you seen someone struggle with a semiautomatic that jammed. The shotgun is pointed in the wrong direction, safety falls by the wayside and next thing you know a shell is accidentally discharged.Keeping a clean shotgun only takes a few minutes. It’s the easiest way to keep your sunnyside up on those beautiful shooting days.Helpful links:

So you have finished reading the how often should i clean my shotgun topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: how often to clean over under shotgun, shotgun maintenance, how often should i clean my 9mm pistol, how to clean a shotgun, shotgun barrel cleaner, how to clean a new shotgun, how to clean pump shotgun, servicing a shotgun

Leave a Comment