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Barrels |
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Kris 
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Joined: 06 Apr 2023 Location: Nelson Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
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 Topic: BarrelsPosted: 09 May 2025 at 8:32pm |
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Hey all,
A couple of barrel related questions if I may, New barrels, Do I clean them first before shooting? Do they need running in? How often do you clean them? What do I clean them with? Sorry about all the questions, Cheers, Kris |
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RangerPete
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Joined: 19 Apr 2023 Location: Cambridge. Status: Offline Posts: 1035 |
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Posted: 09 May 2025 at 11:16pm |
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Hi Kris,
Definitely clean before using. Manufacturers send the rifles out the factory with anti rust stuff in the barrels, so a good clean is always a good way to start. Any time after you have cleaned a barrel it will usually take 5 to 20 shots to “lead in” again. Just use them as practise shots then keep shooting as usual. Cleaning frequency depends on the individual barrel. Some barrels like to be cleaned often, some after a tin or two of pellets, and some never need to be cleaned. You’ll know if it’s time for a clean when your groups open up. Air rifles barrels don’t have the burnt powder residues they PB barrels have, so you don’t need harsh barrel cleaning chemicals, but I still use Hoppies no.9 to clean all my barrels. A lot of guys use balistol oil. |
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Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.
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Kris
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Joined: 06 Apr 2023 Location: Nelson Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
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Posted: 09 May 2025 at 11:30pm |
Thank you very much, pretty much answers all my quiries. Kris |
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Myson
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Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Location: Feilding Status: Offline Posts: 226 |
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Posted: 10 May 2025 at 8:40am |
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Hi Kris,
I think Pete has covered everything but I'd just like to add a couple of thoughts: Firstly, I've found that new barrels take 100+ pellets through them to fully settle in. For example, I started to get the best groups with my HW97KT .177 springer after about 500 pellets! Similarly my HW95. Secondly, when trying to find the best pellet for your particular barrel(s), always shoot a few of each different pellet before comparing groups. For example, when you finish trialing "Pellet A", shoot 5-10 of "Pellet B" before starting group trials - similarly with "Pellet C" and so on.... This means you'll waste a few of each pellet type, but it re-leads the barrel with the lead of each pellet type - and so you get a more accurate assessment of each pellet types' suitability for your particular barrel(s). Hope that makes sense?  |
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE
Air Arms S510 US .22 Air Arms S410 .22 Weihrauch HW97KT .177 Weihrauch HW95 .177 |
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KiwiTR6
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Joined: 04 Nov 2022 Location: Stratford Status: Offline Posts: 390 |
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Posted: 11 May 2025 at 11:44am |
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Hi Kris, This is my method. I use either a nylon loop (fishing line) pull-through inserted from the muzzle end or (wherever I can) a 3mm carbon fibre rod to push through. I purchased the rod from a model shop, they're used in model aircraft construction. I also have a 4mm rod but hardly use it, the 3mm works fine for both .177 and .22. With both methods I use small squares of 100% cotton fabric (cut from old pyjamas) approx 1" or 25mm square. Push/pull through pieces soaked in Hoppe's No9 gun cleaner until the pieces emerge clean. I often turn them inside out for a second use to save on the Hoppes's. As an alternative I've also used brake cleaner. The same again with a couple of clean pieces of dry cloth. Repeat with one piece soaked in Balistol. Lastly, one dry piece to remove the excess Balistol. It works for me. |
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Daystate Red Wolf .22
FX Dreamline .22 Diana Outlaw .22 AA S410 .22 HW98 .177 HW30 .177 Diana 340 E-Tec .177 FWB Sport 124 .177 Gamo 900 .22 Baikal IJ-22 .177 Crosman 2240 Custom .22 Brocock GP .22 |
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Kris
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Joined: 06 Apr 2023 Location: Nelson Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
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Posted: 11 May 2025 at 12:55pm |
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Thanks!
Kris Edited by Kris - 12 May 2025 at 9:32am |
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Pauly5
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Joined: 11 Mar 2013 Location: Titahi Bay Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
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Posted: 12 May 2025 at 8:43am |
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I tend to get too excited about a new gun and shoot it as soon as I can, forgetting to do any cleaning for quite a while. Even then I tend to only clean when I find it loosing accuracy.
But my recommendation would be to do what those guys do.
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Kris
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Posted: 12 May 2025 at 12:57pm |
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What about the felt cleaning pellets I see advertised, are they any good?
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RangerPete
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Joined: 19 Apr 2023 Location: Cambridge. Status: Offline Posts: 1035 |
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Posted: 13 May 2025 at 9:05pm |
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I think they r a gimic, but some people use them.
Just remember if you fire one through your rifle in your lounge, like I did, a projectile that weighs 2gr is most likely going to be supersonic when it exits your muzzel… Ask me how I know… 🤔 😂 |
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Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.
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Pauly5
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Posted: 14 May 2025 at 1:01am |
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They hurt too, even at low power.
Don't ask me how I know. A friend told me.
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Kris
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Posted: 14 May 2025 at 5:40pm |
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Go on tell us how you know,
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Pauly5
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Posted: 14 May 2025 at 8:34pm |
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JasonEdward
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Joined: 22 Sep 2024 Location: Waihi Status: Offline Posts: 189 |
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Posted: 15 May 2025 at 5:47pm |
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Pete and Pauly - looks like the Ps feel the pain in their ears or (I'm guessing Pauly) their legs. :-)
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kruzaroad
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Posted: 03 Jun 2025 at 12:01am |
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/981182702900950/permalink/1353033529049197/
Heres a pic of the difference just running swab through twice, no cleaning fluid, made to my hw97, absolutely blew me away. More so how quickly it needed to be cleaned compared to the tx or sig. Ive also run 3 alloy pellets through as a cleaner and it seemed to work too. Assuming as it beds into the rifling it scrapes the softer lead off. This isnt common practice and was done purly for experiment, as i had a untouched alloys from a sampler pack. But check out the photo, it will give you an example of what a dirty barrel can do to accurateness. |
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Kris
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Joined: 06 Apr 2023 Location: Nelson Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
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Posted: 05 Jun 2025 at 12:34pm |
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That's a huge difference!
Thanks man KrisNZ |
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RangerPete wrote: