Tips for cleaning an old rifle (no knowledge about prior upkeep)
02-12-2007, 12:28 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location:
Posts: 7
Tips for cleaning an old rifle (no knowledge about prior upkeep)
My girlfriend has a Remington Model 788 .30-30. Her dad bought it used before recently giving it to her. Based on the serial number I think it was made in 1967. GF has never killed a deer with it, but did say the "marks on the target were pretty close together" when it was sighted in last fall with a vise. I doubt she's ever cleaned it nor does it appear to have been rigorously maintained prior to that (some surface rust, bore fouling etc.), but otherwise appears to be in pretty good shape.
My newb question is, when I clean it up for her should I do anything different than one would when cleaning their current deer rifle? For instance, should I get out the Sweets and mess with the copper, or just stick with the standard solvent/CLP treatments (or maybe work it with a stainless steel 12gauge bore brush!) All comments appreciated, thanks
My newb question is, when I clean it up for her should I do anything different than one would when cleaning their current deer rifle? For instance, should I get out the Sweets and mess with the copper, or just stick with the standard solvent/CLP treatments (or maybe work it with a stainless steel 12gauge bore brush!) All comments appreciated, thanks
02-12-2007, 12:58 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,476
RE: Tips for cleaning an old rifle (no knowledge about prior upkeep)
Start with the standard stuff, and use your bronze brush properly (one direction OUT from breech to muzzle). Keep doing that until you feel your follow up dry patches are clean and copper free. Then do a thorough inspection of the bore. If it appears to be clean and shiny I'd have at it at the ranger and do some cleaning after about 10 shots to see what kind of buioldup youre getting. If the bore appears to doing ok with just normal fouling without undu copper build-up I wouldn't worry about going further. If on the other hand you think the bore is sloughing off too much copper you may consider using a lapping compound to polish the bore.
Attacking the bore with a stainless brush can always be done later if deemed necessary but I'd try the kinder gentler approach first.
Attacking the bore with a stainless brush can always be done later if deemed necessary but I'd try the kinder gentler approach first.
02-12-2007, 01:09 AM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 6,921
RE: Tips for cleaning an old rifle (no knowledge about prior upkeep)
NOSTAINLESS BORE BRUSHES!!!! Stick to Bronze or nylon. Personally I'd strip it down, start with your normal solvent &thensweets for Copper. It very well mayneedto be fouled if pitted but leaving it longer will nothelp things either. You may need to use JB's,etc but I'd try cleaning it like you normally would your rifles first,then shoot it to see how it does.
