by Mac Raven
How to prepare your rifle for anything is another installment in our How-To Series. After following this seven-step process, all other things being equal, you should never miss that perfect shot again.
“Oh man, guess what I forgot to do?”
A phrase uttered all too often during a match or on a hunting trip. I am a proponent of making checklists for this reason. You have so much bouncing around in your head before an event/trip. It is easy to get a brain freeze. If you make a Rifle Checklist beforehand, there is one less issue to weigh down your thoughts.
Make sure your Screws aren’t loose:
Using Wheeler or comparable torque-wrench; torque every screw on your rifle to specification. You would be surprised how often this is overlooked, unfortunately, with poor results. I have made this mistake more than once.
Clean your Barrel:
Cleaning your barrel is one of those tasks people tend to overdo. A world-renowned gunsmith once told me, “I see more bore damage because of careless or over-cleaning than anything else.” That said, when you go to a match or hunting trip. You want your barrel 100%
Clean your Action/Chamber:
First, using Canned Air give the inside of the action of your rifle a quick blast. That will get rid of any debris that may be on the inside.
Second, use an Action Mop and clean the inside of the chamber. Here is a trick: Put an extra-large Bore Patch over the business end before you insert it. Otherwise, you’re just adding dirt on top of more dirt.
Clean your Bolt-Lug Recess:
You can purchase an inexpensive gadget to accomplish this task. If you’ve never cleaned your lug recess, get ready for a surprise because it’s going to come out looking like an oil stick. The tool shown in the photo has a downside. If your rifle is in the stock it’s hard to rotate the tool.
Clean and lube your Bolt:
This task is relatively simple. There are several different ways to do this. Whatever works for you, go with that. I take mine completely apart, but I’m a little OCD.
Clean your Scope Lenses:
First, using canned air, blow off your Scopes glass. That will get rid of any particulate matter that may be on the lens. Otherwise, you might inadvertently scratch the glass when you go to clean it. (Sandpaper effect) Use a lens-pen or Glass Cleaning Wipes, and you are good to go.
Final check:
After you’ve completed your checklist, go to the shooting range.
First, you are checking your Scopes zero is on. If anything moved while you were getting things ready, your optics might be slightly off.
Second, since you cleaned your barrel, it needs to be seasoned. It most likely will take several shots Depending on your barrel. At this point, your rifle is ready for a match or going on a hunting trip.
Disclaimer: Reloading/handloading can be hazardous to your health like many things in life. You take full responsibility when performing these procedures. 5 Gun Nation is not liable for your decisions. Don’t be an idiot, and if you are, it is not our problem.