Cleaning a Bolt-Action Rifle in 9 Simple Steps

The Izhmash Biathlon 7-3 Bolt Action Rifle will be used as an example for cleaning. Removal of the action is specific for every firearm model, but the general cleaning procedures remain the same. 

Field-Stripping consists of removing the main component of the firearm, in other words, the action. Field-Stripping a firearm for cleaning should be done on a regular basis, before firing a weapon that has not been used for a long time, and subsequent to every 500 rounds fired.

1. Ensure that the firearm is unloaded.

2. Remove the Bolt.

3. Clean rifle using patches cut to fit the rifle's bore. Use patches in the following order:

I. Dry patch or patch with Nitro Solvent (to remove any residue and carbon build-up); until the patch runs through and no longer appears to be soiled. 

II. Oiled patch (to lubricate desired area); once or twice. 

III. Dry patch (to remove any excess oil); until the patch is dry after being run through.

 

4. Clean the bolt with patches, paying particular attention to the face, extractor, and ejector.

5. Insert patches in the appropriate order (see step 3) with a cleaning rod down the bore to clean it. Note: always clean the bore from the breech to the muzzle. 

6. [OPTIONAL] Clean the chamber with an old toothbrush or dentist tool. Do not use sharp objects (eg: dentist tools) in the bore; clean only around the bore where the extractor and bolt face rests when the bolt is closed.

7. Reassemble firearm.

8. Pour a drop or two of gun oil onto the closed bolt and cycle (open and close bolt) a few times to lubricate the entire bolt area.

9. Lubricate other metal surfaces of the firearm with a patch, wiping off any excess oil.

HAPPY SHOOTING!

Cheap Ammunition Brands, .22LR

Unless you're fully sponsored by Lapua, you can't always shoot the best ammunition, especially when you're just shooting for fun (as opposed to training or competing).

I have used a bunch of non-match grade ammunition that are practically dirt cheap. The two cheapest ones I've come across so far are:

• .22LR Remington Thunderbolt ($0.04/Cartridge)*
• .22LR CCI Blazer ($0.04/Cartridge)*

The Remington Thunderbolts is perhaps the worst ammunition ever encountered. The primers in these rimfire rounds are unreliable, as they misfire quite often. When fired, there is TONS of residue left over. Needless to say, they should only be used for non-precision shooting.

CCI advertises the fact that the Blazer ammunition does not misfire at all. As advertised, I have been through two thousand rounds (roughly) and have never had any issue with misfires or hangfires. Another great thing about this ammunition is that it burns very clean, therefore there is little residue left in the bore.  At 50 metres, they have a grouping of roughly an inch, which doesn't cut it for precision shooting. I wouldn't use them for biathlon either, as they are technically high velocity (1235 fps at muzzle). However, they are great for beginners and recreational shooters on a budget. Overall, I'm impressed with CCI Blazer for their performance to price ratio.

All of these results are based on an Izhmash 7-3 (Russian Biathlon Rifle) and every rifle tends to like different ammunition better, but this should give you an idea of the quality of ammunition these low-price brands provide.

*Canadian retail prices for 500 rounds, US prices are way cheaper