I usually check my " zero" a couple weeks prior to a hunt. I clean the barrel at the end of the season so at the start I mop the bore with a dry mop. I go to the range and take three sighting shots, wait a while till the barrel cools and then sight the gun in for the season. The only time I clean the barrel again during the sight in or during the season is if I know something got in the barrel.....mud, snow etc.

I believe one can get carried away with cleaning a smokeless powder hunting rifle.

A benchrest rifle is different.