After each shooting, the barrel of the rifle must be cleaned; it is also advisable to protect the metal parts from rust and the wooden parts from weathering.
Wood and metal parts should be wiped clean and dry after hunting use, as moisture attacks both wood and metal. Subsequently, it is advisable to treat a cloth with a few drops of gun oil and rub the weapon with it. The most widely used gun oil in the German-speaking area comes from the company Ballistol. This can also reliably remove flash rust, which can occur after just a short exposure to weather conditions.
Metal parts like the barrel are usually blued on the outside, meaning they are treated with a type of noble rust, which prevents corrosion damage. The bluing makes the corresponding parts appear black. If the bluing is no longer intact, the underlying metal shines through in silver. Therefore, quick bluing solutions are often included in gun care kits.
The barrel should be cleaned after each shooting, for which a barrel cleaning cord is recommended, to which a metal brush is attached at the end. The "cord" is quite thick, compressible, and slightly thicker than the barrel through which it is to be pulled when not compressed. When pulled through the barrel, it cleans it like a cleaning cloth. To remove residues of the primer and the projectile, a drop of gun cleaning oil can also be used; however, it is important that this is completely removed before the next shot—otherwise, there is a risk of an oil shot.
In an oil shot, the projectile is deflected by an oil film inside the barrel, significantly affecting the point of impact of the rifle.
Comprehensive cleaning kits are available from around 30 euros and are part of the basic equipment for every hunter.
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