Gentlemen,

I just came in here to confess my sin. I bought an Omega last year, had it shootin great, and made a nice shot on a big ol fat doe (that I turned completely into deer balogna) Alas, I neglected cleaning the gun from that day until yesterday. I didn't figure it'd be THAT bad ?!?!

It took me an hour and half to clean that thing goin full speed..gun in the vice...alternating the metal brush with powder solvent, pre-soaked patches, and dry patches. I guarantee that I used 3 dozen or more patches on that thing. I put a new (and upgraded) scope on it a couple of months ago and wanted to go shoot it "in" yesterday and at one point was doubting I'd have enough day light left. The inside of that barrel looked like 4-wheel drive tracks through the mud for the longest time.

My next cleaning step was going to be to put the cleaning rod (with the wire brushed attached) into a drill and give it some rpms goin down the barrel, but finally got the brush to move in short back and forth scrubbing strokes which really accelerated the cleaning process (over pushing the brush all the way through and then allll the way back) much more effectively. Barrel was sparkling at the end. I checked it with a bright halogen lamp and looked as hard as I could for any blemishes from cleaning (as I had been fairly rough).....couldn't find any...took it to the range...8 shots later (3 at 25 yds and 5 at 100 yds), new scope (nikon prostaff 3-9, old one was cabelas pine ridge)is totally dialed in.I wish I could show you the last 3 shots, two were touchin, then I adjusted and it walked straight up to right where I wanted it. Man I'm impressed with that thing. BTW, I made sure I totally cleaned it at the range before I left...

I use granular pyrodex and have heard that it is about the dirtiest of the new type powders. Will it corrode the barrel if not taken care of a little better than last time??

Before bh209 came out it was all, Oh man i can clean such and such rifle in 5 minutes! Then bh209 comes out and they leave them dirty even though it only took them 5 minutes to clean their rifles with the nasty powder.

I'll clean them at the end of the day no matter what. And that includes my heritage arms .22mag revolver.

While all companies want you to believe their powder is the best, and that it is easy to clean, or you don't have to clean or what ever other claims they make.. it boils down to, you shoot it, you clean it. No matter what kind of powder or what rifle..

I am glad the rifle was not damaged. I use a Nikon Pro Staff and I have to agree, they are great scopes..

thanks for the responce cayugad. So you think there was potential for damage by letting it stay dirty like that???

Any time you allow a barrel a chance to rust, there is potential for damage to it. I am a firm believer in... shoot them, then clean them. No matter what powder I shoot or what circumstances I am under.