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: 02 Jul 2025 at 11:04am
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
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 10 May 2025 at 12:16am
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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. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Kris
Date Posted: 10 May 2025 at 12:30am
Thank you very much, pretty much answers all my quiries. Kris |
RangerPete wrote:Posted By: Myson
Date Posted: 10 May 2025 at 9:40am
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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?  ------------- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE Air Arms S510 US .22 Air Arms S410 .22 Weihrauch HW97KT .177 Weihrauch HW95 .177 |
Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 11 May 2025 at 12:44pm
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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. ------------- FX King 600 .22 FX Dreamline Classic .22 Diana Outlaw .22 Air Arms S410 .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Crosman 2240 Custom .22 Crosman 2250 Custom .22 Brocock Grand Prix .22 |
Posted By: Kris
Date Posted: 11 May 2025 at 1:55pm
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Thanks! Kris |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 12 May 2025 at 9:43am
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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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Posted By: Kris
Date Posted: 12 May 2025 at 1:57pm
| What about the felt cleaning pellets I see advertised, are they any good? |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 13 May 2025 at 10:05pm
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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… 🤔 😂 ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 14 May 2025 at 2:01am
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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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Posted By: Kris
Date Posted: 14 May 2025 at 6:40pm
| Go on tell us how you know, |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 14 May 2025 at 9:34pm
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Posted By: JasonEdward
Date Posted: 15 May 2025 at 6:47pm
| Pete and Pauly - looks like the Ps feel the pain in their ears or (I'm guessing Pauly) their legs. :-) |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2025 at 1:01am
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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. |
Posted By: Kris
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2025 at 1:34pm
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That's a huge difference! Thanks man KrisNZ |