A list of equipment needed:

Dewey Cleaning rod, Nylon coated.

Dewey Cleaning Jag, (Push through type, not the loop type)

Bronze Cleaning Brushes

100% Cotton Flannel Patches (Round or square)

Bore Guide

Sweets 7.62 Copper Solvent

Kroil or Hoppies #9 (either/or is fine)

Bolt Locking Lug Grease

Chamber Swab

With a new rifle, it is dirty from the factory. The first thing in order is a good cleaning.
 
Cleaning procedure:

Step 1

Unload the rifle and place it securely in a cleaning rack.

Remove the bolt.

Install the bore guide.

Install the bronze brush on the rod.

Soak the brush with Hoppies #9 or Kroil.

Make 20 passes back and forth in the barrel.

Remove your bronze brush and install the patch Jag.

Wipe your Cleaning Rod with a Clean cloth.

Step 2

Saturate a patch with Kroil or Hoppies #9 and pass it down the bore. DO NOT pull it back through. Let the patch fall off at the muzzle end.

Repeat step 2 until powder fouling is removed Usually 3 patches. Wipe your cleaning rod before each patch.

Step 3

Put a generous amount of Sweets 7.62 on a patch and make a pass down the barrel. Allow the patch to fall off. Wipe off your cleaning Rod.

Follow immediately with a second patch with the same setup.

Wait 5 minutes. *Warning* Do not let Sweets stay in the barrel for over 5 minutes, pitting COULD result.

Again put a generous amount of sweets on a patch and make a pass down the barrel. Examine the patch at the muzzle end. Bluish/Green color on the patch signifies there is copper in the barrel.

Repeat step 3 until patches come out without the Blue/Green color.

You may then run 2 dry patches down the bore.

If long term storage is required, after the bore is dry, run a patch down the barrel with your favorite rust preventative.

Remember, if you go this route, make sure you DRY swab the bore before shooting again. I personally use Hoppies #9 if I am putting the rifle away for a month or so.

If between range sessions, I leave the bore dry.

Remove the rod guide, dry the chamber with a swab,
wipe off your bolt, clean the boltface, and lube the locking lugs with a small amount of bolt grease.

Reinstall bolt.

BARREL BREAK IN

Step A…….. (Typically 6 to 10 Rounds)

With a clean barrel, Fire one round.

Clean in the 3 step procedure as above. *Do not let Sweets remain in the bore for over 5 minutes. If you have to leave your rifle, Run a patch saturated with Hoppies #9 through the bore and let it set. Hoppies is a very mild cleaner and will hot harm your barrel if allowed to remain in the barrel for an extended amount of time (Months).

Repeat STEP A until you see a significant reduction in patches used to remove the Blue/ Green color.

You will probably start out using 6 to 8 Sweets saturated patches to remove color. When you get to the point you are using 2 patches to remove color, you are ready for the next step.

Step B ……….(Typically 5, 3 Round groups)

With a clean barrel, Fire 3 rounds.

Clean in the 3 step procedure as above

Once it takes only 2 patches to remove color, proceed to step C

Step C …………(Typically 3, 5 Round groups)

With a clean barrel, fire 5 rounds.

Clean in the 3 step procedure as above.

Proceed to Step D when you fire 15 rounds total.

You can go to 20 if you feel the rifle needs it.

Step D ………..(20 Rounds)

With a clean barrel, Fire 10 Rounds.

Clean in the 3 step procedure as above.

You are done when all 20 rounds are expended.

Now, Cleaning your rifle vs. rounds down range is up to you and your rifle. I always recommending cleaning after 100 rounds expended, after a match shoot, or after shooting a high rate of fire were barrel temperature was extreme (too hot to touch).

I have noticed that MOST of my rifles shoot best with a Minimum of 30 rounds down range before group shooting. This is not the case with all rifles. Some shoot best with a totally clean barrel.

For tactical rifles, or rifles that may be called to action at a moments notice, I always recommend after cleaning, fire at least 1 fouling shot before putting your rifle away. Then, when you put your rifle into service, you are ready for your cold bore shot.

Josh Woods
Woods Custom Rifles