bore cleaning frequency

[don lynch]

i have a stevens mod 200 in .223 and i would like to know how often you folks clean your barrels. mine seems to like being dirty and i wonder how long to go before cleaning. thanks for any input.
don

[davemuzz]

I clean my .223 bore twice a year. Once about half-way thru groundhog season.....and once at the end of the season before it gets put to the back of the safe.

The .223 shoots better with a dirty bore....so why clean it?

Dave

[geargrinder]

I go to about 300 rounds, once a year, or when the groups start to open up. That's my regime with factory barrels.

My custom barrels seem to need more frequent cleaning but I still wait for the groups to open up.

I don't clean my barrels just for fun. :)

[Eric in NC]

When groups open up or when you have it in bad conditions that could cause problems (rain, mud, laying on the ground or crawling through underbrush all day etc.).

If it is shooting good leave it alone.

[don lynch]

thank you very much guys i appreciate your help. thats what i'll do. i've only got 35 rounds through it since the cleaning, so i'll go for a while. :)
don