Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

     Brett,
      I've done some reading on this same thing, and have tried a couple 
    of times to reproduce the results. The general opion seems to be that
    a barrell with a coat of oil will produce one or two fliers, until the
    oil is worked out.
     Not owning a match grade rifle, and all the goodies that the "experts"
    have available to them, I simply looked a a few groups with "OILY" 
    barrels, and a few groups with "dry".  Didn't see much in the way of
    big improvements, but benchresting at 100 yards with peep sights is 
    not the most scientific method.
     Basically, what I do now, is to run some dry patches thru the barrell
    to get out the oil from being in storage, and consider it ready to go.
     I'd say, just sight it in, clean and oil as always, and simply run the 
    dry patches before you head out into the field. Saves ammo and won't
    announce your presence as much.
    
    Bob

    I agree with -1 on the preperation of the barrel. 
    
    I run a swab with cleanser through the barrel, action and around the
    metal parts. This removes the oil and grease build up. Then a couple
    of dry patches to pick up the cleanser. A shot of REM OIL (tm), wipe
    it down, run a patch through the barrel and maybe 1 more clean
    patch. Run patches through until it come sout clean.
    
    As for sighting it in, I put a paper box (about the size of a deer's
    chest) out 50 yards...If I can hit the box, I can hit a deer. I, too,
    use iron sights. Try the box trick on a widy day for a realistic
    effect.
    
    Have fun..
    
    Jim
    
    

      I don't touch my guns with oil.  I will only use silicon on them.
    When I buy a new firearm the first thing I do with it is tear it
    down and soak it in gasoline to remove oil.  I've had bad experiences
    with gun actions and petroleum while hunting in cold weather.  But
    I guess this discussion is more on barrels than actions....... I
    run a patch with solvent through the barrel followed by as many
    dry patches as it takes to come out clean after each day of hunting
    providing the gun hasn't been fired.  As expected, a fired gun is
    cleaned properly.
    
    Dave

    .3
    
    I said oil.  I meant lubricant.  I use rem oil or break free, myself.
    
    So far .1 and .2 leave their barrels wiped lightly with oil.  .3 leaves
    his barrel cleaned with solvent and dry.  No one seems to leave their
    barrel with a little coat of lead/copper in it.  This surprises me.
    
    /brett

      Brett,
     I hear what your saying but unless I'm shooting from beanbags there
    is no measureable benefit for me to "lead" the barrel ..... and
    my .270 doesn't seem to know any better anyway.  You know though,
    no matter how clean a barrel appears to be (bore cleaner and all)
    a day out in the rainy woods always seems to produce a little oxidized
    copper on the cleaning patch.
    
     What animal/weapon did you pick for Washington this year?  I'll
    be doing the late bow season for whitetails.
    
    Dave

    Well, I guess I have more time on my hands than the fact
    that I'm interested in increasing accuracy by a half of a millimeter.
    These things are important when you're counting days.
    
    What do you mean you're hunting late whitetail with bow?  You mean
    in Washington State???
    
    I am going for Buck season with modern firearm which opens on the
    10/14.  The thing that bugs me in WA is that you can't do both
    or all three.  On the other hand, if you went bow hunting here, I
    can't imagine that you would come away without at least a mulie doe.
    
    /brett

    I've got family in Chattaroy WA.  Lots of whitetails, no muleys.
    Just west of MT Spokane.  My only complaint is that you can't put
    in for special hunts (i.e., sheep, moose, etc) under an archery
    license.  You've got to do it under a firearms license and you can't
    buy both.  My brother-in-law has me talked into an elk hunt with
    him in Idaho next year.... now he has to talk my wife into it  ;^)
    
    Dave

    I'd highly recommend Elk hunting in Idaho.  Get a horse.
    
    The problem is they really rape you for a license.....300+
    for an out of stater.  I think that's a little high.
    
    I'm not familiar with your location unless it's near spokane.
    Good luck on the hunt!
    
    /brett

    Brett,
      My partner is putting in for an elk zone in the south-central? part
    of Idaho.  He has plenty of horses.  Funny thing about folks out
    there is that everyone has horses.... even people that don't ride
    them.  I think most of them are pets.
    
      The area in WA that I'm bowhunting this fall is near Spokane.
    About 25 miles north.  Good cover along the creeks, lots of timber,
    and quite a few wild apples.
    
    Good luck to you too!
    
    Dave