Do you take a cleaning kit, oil, bore-cleaner, etc. with you on safari and clean your rifle each day after using it?

I always have a cleaning kit, even when I hunt from my house. After a fall in the mud with a barell filled with dirt or snow having a cleaning kit makes the difference between having to go home or being able to continue hunting.

That being said I only clean guns either after they have fired several rounds or when they get wet or dirty.

Hey John I take a small kit with a take down cleaning rod, patches, oil, some solvent and a rag as well as a few tools. I have the solvent and oil in a ziploc baggie and I generally wipe the gun down in the evening but normally don't clean the bore until I'm done hunting. Of course it depends on how much shooting you do and what the weather is like. On my last trip I got rained on a little so I did a cursory bore cleaning of my double just to forestall rust. In general I find Africa to be more dusty than anything so a rag and a wipe off is all I have really found necessary.

I also find that cleaning/oiling the bore of rifles has a tendency to change the point of impact until a fouling shot or 2 so something else to consider.

I do. I take a take down rod and a minimal kit. Not really looking to rid the barrel of all copper, just looking to keep it relatively grime free. Dust can be an issue more than anything.

WRT the stock, dust is an issue and I like to wipe down well each day so I bring a good clean rag and then leave it.

FWIW, I have found that a good cleaning and then wiping a bolt rifle, bolt, raceways, etc, free of all grease or oil leaves just enough film for a day without becoming a dust magnet. Any more lubrication than "wiped away" seems to attract dust.

JPK

I took a regular cleaning rod, solvents, and patches with me. Didn't use it but had it as a precaution. However each evening when we got back, I pulled a bore snake through, and then pulled it through a second time leaving the tail in the chamber. Then in the morning I would pull it the rest of the way through, and knew there was nothing in the bore for the day.

Ditto as to what rock and JPK both do.

I carry a small Otis kit the one in the small round case they first came out with. Have NEVER used it. I also carry some Sheath wipes ,the ones in individual packs. I have used a couple of those.

Always take a cleaning kit and rod with you on a hunt. It fits in the gun case, and normally never gets used until the last day of the safari.

I generally don't clean my rifles on a hunt. I might put a tiny bit of grease on the locking lugs and cocking piece if required, but never clean the rifle until after the hunt.

I then just run a couple of patches of Hoppe's #9, dry the bore and then one patch of oil.

The rifles get a thorough clean after I get back home.

John,

Take a full length rod as it will fit in your gun case.......

If you are using an over bore round such as a 257WBY or 7mmSTW etc you might want to brush it out perodically to cut down on powder fouling and thus prevent pressure spikes if you are doing a fair bit of shooting with that rifle........ie; baboon busting

You don't need to oil the rifle.......it only attracts dust, especially in Namibia; just do as Saeed recommended and apply a tiny bit of white grease to the lugs and cocking piece.

You might consider taking a cleaning kit for your optics, especially a lens brush to remove dust. Give it to your PH on departure, he will appreciate it.........

Cheers,

On retuning to camp I always try to wipe the rifles down before or during the reaching for a cold one.
During the course of the safari I check for dust etc in the barrel and often need to push a dry patch through.
I have been out during rain storms on the occasion and thats when a good oil down followed buy dry patching is necessary in side and out.
I have often been asked buy PH's if I had some Stock oil as their stocks needed a touch up. I now carry some and often use it on my own rifles during hot hunts.
Its best to take along a light cleaning kit.

Only if you want to kill them with the CRACK OF THE SHOT.Then you must clean your rifle after three rds and clean it THE RIGHT WAY.

Thanks, guys. I do have a nice break-down stainless rod/kit that fits in a small "baton" of stainless steel - had it for years and have never found one like it since. About 12 inches long, stores 4 rods, screwdriver piece, cleaning jags, patch holder, etc. That will go along with me as well as a silicone cloth, some patches, oil, maybe CLP. Plus the lens-cleaning kit. Luckily I have a synthetic stock so no worries about wood.

For whatever it is worth I carry the otis cleaning kit and run a patch through the barrel every evening. This also makes me look at the action screws to ensure they have not worked loose.

I have an OTIS cleaning kit that doesn't take up much space, and also like to take a bore snake when I go away.
As other have also mentioned a cleaning rod should fit in a gun case too.

Clean the rifle properly before you leave, shoot a few shots to foul and make sure POI is the same, then just run the bore snake through it. If you really want to you can run the bore snake through between shots on safari, but really you aren't likely to shoot enough to foul a barrel while you're away.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Only if you want to kill them with the CRACK OF THE SHOT.Then you must clean your rifle after three rds and clean it THE RIGHT WAY.

quote:

Posted 10 December 2007 12:33 Hide Post
Only if you want to kill them with the CRACK OF THE SHOT.Then you must clean your rifle after three rds and clean it THE RIGHT WAY.

Shootaway, my .375 won't even start starting until it has half a box through it. After that it settles down to MOA. I may never clean it again, but it still kills things. The barrels had nearly 2000 rounds through it, and will go hundreds of rounds between cleaning. Living in a dry climate has its advantages.

I always carry a "Rapid Rod" on my cartridge belt in case I plug the barrel with mud or whatever and its about the size of a pocket knife in its case...

I always take a bore snake, a few patches and a little bottle of Rem Oil.Rust can be a factor in most of Africa.

Boy Scout motto, Be Prepared is always good advise.

I DON"T clean my rifle on a hunt as a rule but may run a dry bore snake through it..Oil in the barrel or a clean barrel can change the zero of your rifle for a number of shots, depending on the gun..but keep an eye out for rust.

Folks,

This thread reminds me of an incidence that happened on my last safari. We had taken a break at midday and I happened to be sitting where the PH's rifle was directly in front of my vision. It was leaning against a tree and I noticed a wasp type insect buzzing around the muzzle. All of a sudden the wasp pops into the muzzle. I figured that the wasp would come right back out. Wrong! I never did see him come back out. We were there about 2 hours and as we were packng up I again thought about the wasp and also remembered Boddington writing something about wasps nesting the barrel of big bore rifle. I mentioned this to our PH and eventhough he looked at me funny he did remove the bolt from his rifle and looked down the bore. Completely blocked. In the time we had been on our break the industrious insects had deposited a blob of mud the size of a couple of cranberry in the barrel. The PH was able to push the mud out with a long reed but he could have had a nasty surprise as the mud hardened if I had not seen that guy enter the barrel. So the moral of the story is whether you clean your rifle or not check the barrel for obstructions each day to avoid big problems.

Mark

Oh, and the idea of having a lenspen for your optics is wise as well, as mentioned above.

I guess I too belong to the compulsive obsessive group, and clean and inspect daily. I like to be absolutely certain of performance in this area, especially when hunting dangerous game.

Piece of duct tape over the muzzle works wonders to keep crap out...I have also heard of a potter wasp building a nest in a .458 Win barrel.

Finn Agaard was a proponent of the tape thing and guys I hunted with in Canada were too - keep snow out.

Cleaning after 3 rounds is all well and fine on the range but many, many well used rifles that perform just fine never see this kind of pampering. As you guys know, hundreds of rifles in Africa (and elsewhere) are tools, they get bashed an abused and expected to work, thats just how it is, many hunters/PH's/Ranchers etc don't have the time or ambition to clean them obcessively.

Cheers

Hey Rhys,

That's a great idea!

I like others take a minimal cleaning kit. However, I have been caught in a downpour while out on a stalk which necessitated removing the stock when we got back to camp for a thorough cleaning. Luckily the Ph had a Chapman screwdriver set. Next time I'll take the driver and the bits that work on my rifle for this purpose.

quote:

Originally posted by Rhys:
I took a regular cleaning rod, solvents, and patches with me. Didn't use it but had it as a precaution. However each evening when we got back, I pulled a bore snake through, and then pulled it through a second time leaving the tail in the chamber. Then in the morning I would pull it the rest of the way through, and knew there was nothing in the bore for the day.

That's a good idea.

I'm of the thought that rifle cleaning is overrated. I take a BoreSnake with me though a collapsible rod is a good idea for the odd occasion something gets stuck in there during the day. But it won't do any good if you don't have it with you.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Only if you want to kill them with the CRACK OF THE SHOT.Then you must clean your rifle after three rds and clean it THE RIGHT WAY.

What's the right way?

And why clean after three rounds.......we aren't shooting benchrest in Africa...........

I only clean my guns after the safari is over. Most guns shoot better over a fouled bore anyway. The tape over the muzzel is a good idea.-rob

quote:

Originally posted by kayaker:
Finn Agaard was a proponent of the tape thing and guys I hunted with in Canada were too - keep snow out.

I've dorked my barrel into a bit of snow on more than on occasion and swear by a small bit of electrical tape over the muzzle. Especially since, like many Canadians, I started hunting on a .303 sporter, which is mostly held together by electrical tape anyways!

I do pack a cleaning kit in my rifle case though, you just never know.

quote:

Originally posted by Blair338/378:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Only if you want to kill them with the CRACK OF THE SHOT.Then you must clean your rifle after three rds and clean it THE RIGHT WAY.

What's the right way?

And why clean after three rounds.......we aren't shooting benchrest in Africa...........

After three rds magnum rifles start spraying bullets.Only when all the copper is removed do rifles regain their full accuracy potential.The right way of cleaning is by using JB on a patch on a copper brush and short stroking vigorously untill the bore is clear of copper.

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
I only clean my guns after the safari is over. Most guns shoot better over a fouled bore anyway. The tape over the muzzel is a good idea.-rob

This is completely false.No rifle shoots better fouled compared to when it is cleaned.

Aside from cleaning the bore,bolts,raceways,recoil lug recesses,and chambers must also be cleaned.Just because one has shot 50 animals and not had a malfunction it does not mean that everyone will PASS DOWN THIS STREET.

shitaway what is your major malfunction? Are you just trying to stir the pot or is my theory accurate that you are really a microcephalic moron? Man, NOBODY can be this clueless and be able to live without assistance! jorge

quote:

After three rds magnum rifles start spraying bullets

What about non-magnum rilfes like a 7x57...or .308??

Every evening, upon returning to camp I wipe my guns down.

If I have fired them durring the day I will pass a bore snake throught the bbl a time or three.

If it has rained I clean the barrel with solvent or oil and then dry it out.

I use a product that I know will not change my zero.

On the last day after the hunt I oil the barrels and the outside of the guns fairly heavily incase they become lost for a while when they are in transit.

Hopefully if they become "lost" and I get them back after a while, they will not be rusted.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Blair338/378:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Only if you want to kill them with the CRACK OF THE SHOT.Then you must clean your rifle after three rds and clean it THE RIGHT WAY.

What's the right way?

And why clean after three rounds.......we aren't shooting benchrest in Africa...........

After three rds magnum rifles start spraying bullets.Only when all the copper is removed do rifles regain their full accuracy potential.The right way of cleaning is by using JB on a patch on a copper brush and short stroking vigorously untill the bore is clear of copper.

Read closely, this is a telling post. Doesn't tell anything about taking care of a rifle while on safari though.

JPK

Non-magnum rifles do not need to be cleaned as they do not SPRAY BULLETS at all. Unless it is cloudy out, then it is best not to shoot them at all. If you are really wanting your animals to fall at THE CRACK OF THE SHOT, wear a hat and always carry a few cashews in your breast pocket.

It's apparent that I'm the odd man out. I considered clean versus fouled barrel, and the prospect of having to clean every evening to maintain the same POI. So I worked up the loads for 338-06AI and 25-06 using Barnes X flatbase bullets that I molycoated myself using the Midway tumbler kit. I also anointed the bore with moly beforehand. Those barrels have not been cleaned down to bright metal in 3 years. No rust, yet still as accurate as ever.

I took a Lenspen and Rapidrod with appropriate caliber tips and a box of Break Free weapon wipes. Electrician's tape over the muzzle to keep out dust, dirt and bugs.

i occassionally wonder if shitaway is really as stupid as he sounds or just trying to stir the pot. then i read some of his idiotic crap such as "magnum" rifles spraying bullets after 3 shots and i realize he truly is an idiot. can't you just picture being out in a Landcruiser - it's mid morning and you have fired 3 shots to take a couple of plains game. you insist the PH stop and take a break while you fully clean your rifle. somehow i just can't see it. you can certainly see the difference in postings between people who have "been there, done that" and FOOLS THAT HAVEN'T

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
i occassionally wonder if shitaway is really as stupid as he sounds or just trying to stir the pot. then i read some of his idiotic crap such as "magnum" rifles spraying bullets after 3 shots and i realize he truly is an idiot. can't you just picture being out in a Landcruiser - it's mid morning and you have fired 3 shots to take a couple of plains game. you insist the PH stop and take a break while you fully clean your rifle. somehow i just can't see it. you can certainly see the difference in postings between people who have "been there, done that" and FOOLS THAT HAVEN'T

jdollar,

It'd be PRICELESS........I reckon the PH would shoot him; BUT only after cleaning his weapon of choice with JB!

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
This is completely false.No rifle shoots better fouled compared to when it is cleaned.

Wow, I guess what I've experienced over the years is turning out to "completely false"

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
shitaway what is your major malfunction? Are you just trying to stir the pot or is my theory accurate that you are really a microcephalic moron? Man, NOBODY can be this clueless and be able to live without assistance! jorge

I wonder if he takes the helmet off to clean....

Hey jorge, how is that "twilight tour" coming along??? Any plans for post retirement work??

Ken....

Heat:

Coming along fine as the "Dean Wormer" of Naval Aviation . As for retirement, looking in the Global Security Consultant/Anti Terror business as that's been my area of expertise operationally after flying. I can live on my retirement just fine, but not if I want to keep hunting Africa and of course the lovely mrs jorge's "High Maintenance."! jorge