In The Stand With Gun Digest: Dirty Up Your Gun

The newest "Gun Digest" is available to order now!

In The Stand With Gun Digest

It’s preseason prep time for deer hunters across America. Here’s a little tip for those of you who are finishing up your summer range sessions from the experts at our sister publication, Gun Digest.

Distinguishing fact from fiction is as challenging in the world of firearms as it is everywhere else. Here’s one perspective on firearm cleanliness, from author Tom Tabor in his Gun Digest 2013 article, “Ten Shooting Myths Exposed”:

“How could anyone make an argument against firearm cleanliness? Well, I can think of only a single instance when a little dirt might be a good thing, and that is inside your gun barrel when it comes to heading out for a hunt.

“One of the factors necessary for consistent shot placement has to do with the consistency of the firearm bore. Simply put, a round fired through a clean bore will almost always impact at a different point that those shots that follow—and that first shot is often the most important you will take in a hunting situation.

It’s always good to clean your gun and keep it in top-notch shape. For shooting consistency, though, it’s best to foul the bore by sending a shot down the barrel prior to heading out on a hunt. Why? Typically the first shot from a clean bore will impact in a different spot than the follow-up shots. This was the case in the photo, with the clean bore round printing high and to the left.

“I have frequently found the amount of variation can be from about an inch all the way up to three or four inches at 100 yards. If you never shoot past 50 yards, this might not be an issue of concern, but, if you find yourself trying to pull off a shot at a recordbook bighorn ram on that once-in-a-lifetime hunt at 400 or 500 yards, it could easily become a substantial problem to overcome. I like to remove all the variables I can and, in so doing, I always send a round down the barrel and foul the bore before heading out to hunt.”

Read the other nine myths exposed by Tom Tabor, and more great stories from today’s top gun writers, in the newly-released 2013 Gun Digest. Remember to use promo code INSIDEGDB to get free standard U.S. shipping on your order. (Promo code fine print: Items which ship directly from the manufacturer do not qualify for free shipping.)

View More BlogsView More Deer & Deer Hunting CommunityView More Deer Hunting TipsView More Featured