Gun cleaning during season

Monster Whitetails · 11-19-2007, 06:27 PM

I took my 870 to the range before deer season started, and shot about 20-30 rounds and I was wondering if I should clean my gun during season.Season started here lastSaturday. Candeer smell the gun cleaning oils b/c I know I sure can.Or is it better to not clean the gun till after season is over?

sjsfire · 11-19-2007, 06:59 PM

You can wipe it down with a silicone gun cloth. But....I would't do anything to the bore if you got it shooting good. Any oil down the bore might throw the first (most important) slug off target.

jaybe · 11-19-2007, 07:03 PM

I'd agree with the first part of sjsfire's answer, but I usually run a lightly oiled patch through after shooting, followed by a clean, dry patch to remove excess oil. A heavy coat of oil in the bore might have an adverse effect on your shot. That's my 2c worth.

RugerM77.270 · 11-20-2007, 09:40 AM

I lightly wipe down my gun just about every time I come back fromthe field. I don't do any deep cleaning that might through the POA off until after season though.

BuckMan8 · 11-20-2007, 10:34 AM

Dude clean your, especially after that many rounds. I clean my gun every timeI shoot it, even if I shoot one shell. I cleaned my gun last wednesday before opening day and I saw a lot of doe opening day and I got an 8 point friday with my gun. So I don't think that the oil smell will bug them.

falconwolf · 11-21-2007, 03:21 PM

Usually they recommend after 50 shots, so you're still under. And like the others said, especially if you've got it locked in...don't want to screw it up.

With the misty rain we've been getting here in Wisconsin, I wanted to wipe mine down, soI just used some light oil and wiped it off. No cleaning fluids for sure. But I don't think they mind any slight smell that might come from the oil. I shot my first doe the day after I wiped my gun down, and she didn't seem to smell it. Then again, she was also being chased by a buck 3 feet behind her too....