Pauly's Technical Area

Barrels

Printed From: Kiwi Airgunners
Category: Technical
Forum Name: Pauly's Technical Area
Forum Description: Technical information, Modifications and DIY projects are all in here
URL: www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=1204
Printed Date: 10 May 2025 at 12:30pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.14 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Barrels

Posted By: Kris
Subject: Barrels
Date Posted: 09 May 2025 at 9:32pm

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

Replies:

Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 10 May 2025 at 12:16am

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.

Posted By: Kris
Date Posted: 10 May 2025 at 12:30am

RangerPete wrote:

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.

Thank you very much, pretty much answers all my quiries.

Kris

Posted By: Myson
Date Posted: 10 May 2025 at 9:40am

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? Thumbs Up

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