Ruger 10/22 Cleaning

[bubajoe]

I've got a 10/22 that needs a good cleaning. Normally I shoot my 22's dirty using a patch worm and some bore tech to clean / protect again rust when needed but accuracy has fallen off. The rifle used to shoot a ragged hole with wolf match (that's all I shoot with it). Now it shoots a 1/2 dollar at 50 yards excluding fliers which can be 1+ inch off. It was out last weekend and a fired round failed to eject and needed to be nudged out with a cleaning rod. I think this is because their now so much build up in the throat / chamber area. I've probably put close to 5k rounds down the barrel in the last year with it and the owner before me another 2k. Shining a light into the bore / chamber you can see lead stippling but how do I get it out...?

I'm not fond of cleaning rifles from the muzzle end for fear of damaging the crown. I have a carbon cleaning rod and brass / nylon brushes that will fit the bore but am looking for options on how best to clean it. Soaking the bore with wipeout and using the patch worm wasn't enough to dislodge the carbon / lead that I'm guessing has built up in there. Some of the guys on rimfire central have drilled a hole in the rear of the receiver to allow for cleaning from the rear. I'm not sure if I did that if a bore guide would be needed or where to find one since most people clean with a bore guide from the muzzle back to the chamber with their 10/22's. The barrel is threaded but I'd rather not introduce another variable into the accuracy equation by removing it. Accuracy slowly fell off so I'm guessing it's something to do with needing a good cleaning and the bassics have been checked scope, mounts, action screw, etc.

 

[mac1911]

on the most old dirt 22s I bring back from the dead......
1. Facet filters screens made of copper or brass or a sheet of brass screen from the hardware store.
2. Lead remover bore cleaner. I have no favorite I prefer the foam type cleamers. They are just easier. I use a bore protector if I have one that fits or a coated rod. by the description of your cleaning I dont think you should worry about muzzle wear from cleaning. Careful use of a rod thats softer than your barrel should be fine.

1. clean barrel as normal with solvent to get loose gunk out.
2. cut screen to fit bore(slightly smaller than 22cal cleaning patch, round) a well worn brush works good or a 17cal jag(make it fit).
3. I run a previously used screen to loosen things up a bit and score the lead build up
4. Fill bore with foam lead remover, let sit....swipe with cloth patch and swag. Apply 2nd dose of lead remover bore cleaner let it sit.
5. Use the brass screen. scrub scrub. If your barrel is that leaded its going to be messy..you may have a large amount of lube built up in the chamber/throat
once the lead is removed clean as normal and oil for storage

I was told by a better shooter than I just clean the chamberand throat are and only swipe the barrel to remove loose grit

 

[StevieP]

I'd soak a bore snake with Hoppe's #9, and run it through there several times. Works for me.

 

[robmcd]

I drilled an access hole in the rear of the receiver. I remove the bolt and clean from the rear with a 36" Tipton graphite rod. In between I use a Boresnake and a chamber cleaning tool from Gunsmither.

 

[exo]

I drilled an access hole in the rear of the receiver. I remove the bolt and clean from the rear with a 36" Tipton graphite rod. In between I use a Boresnake and a chamber cleaning tool from Gunsmither.

If you have to remove the bolt anyway, why not just pull a cable through like from the Otis kits? Drilling a hole through the frame seems pretty extreme to me. To each his own though.

 

[ARV]

If you have to remove the bolt anyway, why not just pull a cable through like from the Otis kits? Drilling a hole through the frame seems pretty extreme to me. To each his own though.

I've heard of this more than once. Doesn't compromise the gun at all. I thought about doing it to mine, but I hate trying to line up the spring/bolt handle/bolt so I only hit the bore when it really needs it.


Is the whole barrel being leaded or just one area?

 

[bfm]

If you are worried about cleaning from the muzzle end and do not want to remove the barrel, insert a cleaning rod from the muzzle end with no attachments on it. Once it is inserted all the way, screw on a bronze brush in the reciever and then pull it out. Basically like using an Otis kit, but using the cleaning rod you have.

 

[robmcd]

You might be interested in some of the Gunsmither Tools for Ruger 10/22. I used their drill for my receiver, and they make other 10/22 gadgets.

 

[TonyDedo]

It's a 10/22 - are we overthinking this a wee bit?

 

[Garys]

If you have to remove the bolt anyway, why not just pull a cable through like from the Otis kits? Drilling a hole through the frame seems pretty extreme to me. To each his own though.

The aftermarket receivers you can buy from MidwayUSA and others have this hole already in them, so it's not likely that drilling a hole will harm the receiver if it's done properly. OTOH, I just use a bore snake to clean the barrel most of the time.

 

[Coyote33]

I just clean from the muzzle. No problems with a cloth patch or brass bristles to date.

 

[bubajoe]

You might be interested in some of the Gunsmither Tools for Ruger 10/22. I used their drill for my receiver, and they make other 10/22 gadgets.

Thanks for the link Rob, I'm going to drill the hole in the rear after hearing others have done the same with success.