Thread: Long range blued barrel hunters.

Originally Posted by Brad S

No. To be truthful I have no idea what I'm talking about, and haven't yet learned how I should care for my lovely new old L61R when it arrives in my mailbox next week

Ive PM'd you this to get you started for when it arrives (others will have other ideas -brace yourself :

Take the action out of the stock and clean away any dirt or rust from the underside and mechanism. A toothbrush is useful. There are plenty of good gun oils available but use sparingly. When you put the stock back on tighten the screws firmly but not over-tight and the same pressure on each. Don't burr the screw slots.

Clean the bolt. Clean the actual bolt face with the toothbrush.

Oil all the metal outside surfaces lightly.

Buy a cleaning rod, a bristle brush (not a brass one - I prefer nylon)) and a rod patch holder. You will need a roll of patch cloth which you cut to size or pre cut patches. Buy a bottle of Hoppes number 9 solvent.

Soak a patch with the Hoppes and swab the barrel with it (from the breech end - never the muzzle end). Leave it for a few minutes and then give it a scrub with the bristle patch. Push a clean patch through and then repeat as prior.
After you have done this a couple of times or more (depending on how dirty the barrel is) give it one last swab with Hoppes on a patch, leave a few minutes and then use new patches until they come out clean.

If the dirt is stubborn you might need to use a brass bristle brush but I avoid their use if I can.

My ongoing maintenance is an outside oil after every hunt. I put a bore snake through my rifle after every hunt. If you use one keep it clean and make sure it doesn't run on the barrel crown as you pull it through. I do a full clean a couple of times a year depending on the use.

That should get you started.