New 10/22 questions

[tluxtele]

Hey Everyone,

I have a great father in law. He gave me a 10/22 for Christmas. I have a few questions if you have the time.

I'm hoping to go to the range on Monday and it'd be nice to take it for a spin. Do I need to clean it before running a few rounds through it or could I shoot it out of the box? I have cleaned and lubed any handguns I have before taking them out to shoot. But I don't have a rifle cleaning kit just yet. So it'd be nice if they can shoot out of the box with no damage. But I can wait if I need to give it a cleaning.

That brings me to my next question. I have an AR in 5.56 and was planning on getting a cleaning kit specific for an AR. Could you guys suggest a decent cleaning kit that would be good for both? Maybe even something that would be useful for other clabbers as well?

Thanks for your help.

 

[unlimited4x4]

Any kit made to clean 22 rifle will work for both. Many of the cleaning kits out there have the cleaning brushes, etc multiple for multiple calibers. Look for a universal cleaning kit, it will list all the calibers it can be used for. Search Amazon for a Hoppes kit

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

If you're already setup to clean handguns, then the only thing you really need to add is a rifle cleaning rod. You would need a 22 cal bore brush and a 22 cal jag if you don't already have a 22 cal handgun. Make sure the rod is something that won't damage steel like brass, carbon fiber, or coated.

I like Pro-Shot bore brushes because they're bronze bristles in a brass shank with a blunt, not crimped, tip. I like Tipton jags, brass or nickel plated, doesn't matter. I like Tipton carbon fiber rods. These are just what I use. There are other options that are fine. I like real cotton patches. You can cut up old t-shirts or buy them already cut.

Some folks, myself included, like to use a .17 cal rod for cleaning 22 cal rimfires. If you go that route for the 10/22, you will need a thread adapter to get you from the rod threads to the brush/jag threads. Honestly, though, a Patchworm is usually enough for me for cleaning .22 cal rimfires, especially a semi-auto.

 

[MEHavey]

FWIW: No cleaning necessary.
(and if with lead ammunition, that includes after shooting as well)

22s are nice that way.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

FWIW: No cleaning necessary.
(and if with lead ammunition, that includes after shooting as well)

22s are nice that way.

I've heard a lot of folks say that .22LRs don't need to be cleaned after shooting and I have found it to be completely untrue, no matter what kind of ammo is shot. Eventually, accuracy will drop off and you'll need to get the lead out of the rifling. I'm sure plenty of folks will disagree with me and that's ok, but this is my experience with my rifles.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Yes, run at least a couple of patches thru the bore BEFORE you shoot your new 10/22 to clean out any gunk. Ideally use a jag and a patch soaked in Hoppe's then follow with as many dry patches as necessary until they come out clean.

Happy shooting!

 

[MEHavey]

...heard a lot of folks say that .22LRs don't need to be cleaned after shooting and I have found it to be completely untrue

We would clean once at the end of shooting season.
Dry patch with it out at the beginning of the next season...
...and shoot the entire season for the command pistol team w/o ever cleaning again.

.

 

[edwardware]

Keep in mind, your usual 'All Purpose' cleaning rod is only a few thou smaller than the inside of that barrel, so you're probably going to be grinding on the lands while cleaning; worse yet you're going to be doing it from the muzzle unless you drill the receiver for cleaning from the breach. A coated rod is really a must (like this).

I'm in the hardly-ever-clean camp. My 10/22 bores, including the 10/22T used for golf-balls at 100 yards, sees a rod and patch about once every 500 rounds.

 

[bannockburn]

I'm with Shawn Dodson on cleaning a new gun before you go shooting. Gets rid of a lot of unwanted "gunk" that may have accumulated in the barrel. I have also found some .22 ammo shoots cleaner than others. CCI MiniMags and Wolf Match Target are rather "clean" shooting from my experience.

 

[midland man]

I'm with Shawn Dodson on cleaning a new gun before you go shooting. Gets rid of a lot of unwanted "gunk" that may have accumulated in the barrel. I have also found some .22 ammo shoots cleaner than others. CCI MiniMags and Wolf Match Target are rather "clean" shooting from my experience.

mini mags are premium ammo and I like the 40gr solid nose bullets for squirrel hunting!

 

[CraigC]

I've heard a lot of folks say that .22LRs don't need to be cleaned after shooting and I have found it to be completely untrue, no matter what kind of ammo is shot. Eventually, accuracy will drop off and you'll need to get the lead out of the rifling. I'm sure plenty of folks will disagree with me and that's ok, but this is my experience with my rifles.

I have .22 rifles that have not seen a patch in 20yrs. Their accuracy has never degraded. If you have lead in your bore, you have a problem. When cleaned, they always shoot better once they're well-fouled.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

I have .22 rifles that have not seen a patch in 20yrs. Their accuracy has never degraded. If you have lead in your bore, you have a problem. When cleaned, they always shoot better once they're well-fouled.

I'm glad you have found a system that works for you.

 

[MutinousDoug]

The only time my 10-22 sees a cleaning rod is to clean the chamber which, due to the 10-22 design, can only be accomplished (w/o disassembly/modification) by running a rod through the barrel from the muzzle. Barrel cleaning/brushing is incidental.

 

[MistWolf]

Get a Bore Snake, some rags, a nylon toothbrush, a can of non chlorinated brake cleaner, some bore cleaner, lube, Q Tips and a bottle of 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water (deionized water if you can).

Clean the bore as necessary, that is, when fouling starts having an affect on accuracy.

Clean the action/bolt/carrier with the brake cleaner. Scrub as needed with a toothbrush and wipe down with rag. Wipe down the exterior with a clean rag. Wipe down any parkerized parts with a clean rag and lube. (Brake cleaner isn't needed, it's just convenient for flushing out crud. I don't often use it. Keep it away from the finish of wood stocks.)

Disassemble, clean and grease the fire control group.

Lube the action with oil. Place a few drops in the exhaust ports of the carrier of your AR.

Wet the tip of a Q Tip with the 50/50 mix to gently clean optics. Use dry end to gently dry. Change Q Tips as often as needed. Isopropyl alcohol works much better than denatured alcohol. Q Tips work better than other brands.

Don't over clean. Don't over think it.

Keep a solid, one piece cleaning rod to knock out stuck cases

 

[22250Rem]

I know that cleaning my 22 rimfires after every shooting session isn't all that critical to their health and well being. But I do it anyway, even if it's a day or two after the shooting session. I can't help it, I have to do it. Maybe that's one of those things the Marine Corps did to me. Ask any Jarhead.

 

[slowr1der]

I also like to run a few patches through a new gun before shooting it, however, you won't damage anything by shooting it without cleaning it. I'd be willing to be that the large majority of gun owners shoot a new gun without cleaning it first. Heck the amount of guys I hunt with that very rarely clean their gun amazes me.

That said, I'd take the time to get a nice cleaning setup. My personal preference is a traditional rod and jag. I love my Tipton cleaning rod. Quite a few companies make quality jags that will go on it. You can use the same .22 caliber jag for both the 10/22 and an AR in 5.56/.223. If you're cleaning bolt rifles, I'd also get a bore guide.

 

[jmorris]

I've heard a lot of folks say that .22LRs don't need to be cleaned after shooting and I have found it to be completely untrue, no matter what kind of ammo is shot.

I have more than a few that have had nothing except bullets down the bore, their entire lifetime. Lot's more that have been left idle after firing a shot, until next time.

There is a pretty good chance that the last thing that your 10/22 did before being slid into the bag and boxed up, was fire a round or two. A quick inspection should be all that is needed.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

I don't clean mine every time I shoot them, but eventually they all need bore cleaning of some sort.

 

[22-rimfire]

Shoot it as it is. Have fun.

 

[ranger56528]

I clean all my weapons before I go out and shoot,mostly just run a bore snake or patch(before the snake came out)through the barrel,it's just a good way to look over the weapon. I have a Marlin 60 that I didn't clean for over 10 years and now that I cleaned it about 5 years ago it stovepipes every once in a while,should of left it alone,just got a 10/22 TD before Christmas but have not got out to shoot it yet.

 

[Panfisher]

10/22 spend $20 to buy a bore snake, any time you feel oblighted to run it through. The action and mags need cleaned occasionally. Maybe once a year depending on how much you shoot it, spend a few couple hurt with it, disassemble it, fully clean, flush etc the action, it will still run with a lot of crud but will begin to get light strikes occasionally. If it starts to jam, clean the chamber, I use a .22 cal brush wrapped it steel wool, a few twists and done. Also when jamming,,clean the magazines, flush them UT with brake cleaner and lube with a dry lube seems to work best for me, but if having problems while at the range give them a squirt of lube or even WD 40, then clean when you get home. As for AR the same bore snake will work on it, and an occasional cleaning and lung of the action will suffice. As longs as yiu do a decent job of lubing the AR you can disassemble it and clean it as often as you wish, won't hurt it.

 

[MEHavey]

FWIW: Don't gorilla-wrench the action screw in tightening it.
"Snug only" (15"-lbs if you have a torque driver) and no more.
(10/22 receivers are aluminum/single-point suspended, and
you'll otherwise warp/deflect the action)

 

[PowerG]

Many guns contain a steel piece sliding inside an aluminum fixture as the main part of their mechanism, add a little grit into that mix and the results aren't good. My brother and I had a Model 60 that we just wore out over many years of constant shooting, it takes a lot of rounds but it definitely can be done.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I have six 10/22s. Two have heavy barrels and one has Tactical Solutions fluted barrel. The others have factory barrels.
My first 10/22 I picked up in 1984 or 85. It's still stock and shoots great. I may have taken it down for a good cleaning 3 or 4 times since I bought it.
I have a habit of punching the bore with a dry patch before heading to the range. Just to make sure that I have no obstructions.

 

[Sistema1927]

More .22 barrels have been ruined by improper cleaning than you would believe. I don't even own a .22 caliber cleaning rod anymore. A bore snake does the little bit of cleaning that I need.

Less is more.