Bolt Action Cleaning How To

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person sitting in a chair and wiping a shotgun

Whether you’ve been shooting rifles all your life, or you are new to the game, one question that always comes after deer season is, “Do I really need to clean my rifle?”. The answer is yes. If you want to protect your investment, the simplest way to do so is by wiping it down after a season of work!

Here are some key times to clean your Bolt Action Rifle:

Before and after long term storage.
When the rifle has been subjected to adverse conditions such as shooting in the rain, snow, or saltwater areas.
When the rifle is exposed to dirty conditions such as lying on the ground outdoors, being dropped in mud, etc.

Even if you only took a few shots to verify your zero, and one shot to fill your freezer with venison, then this basic quick cleaning will get you taken care of.

The first thing you want to do is to make sure the rifle is not loaded. Visually and physically inspect the chamber to make sure it is unloaded. This is the most important step.
Do not keep any ammo on the bench where you are doing your cleaning. Safety first.
Remove your bolt assembly per your owner's manual.
Once the bolt assembly is removed, wipe it down using a clean rag and Remington Action Cleaner. The action cleaner will loosen up the carbon to make the job easier. Use a brush to remove any debris from the bolt face and lugs.
Take your time and make sure you remove as much carbon as you can.
Finish by wiping the bolt assembly with a clean rag and a light coating of Rem Oil.
Reinstall your bolt assembly per your owner's manual which can be found on the maker of your rifle’s website.
Store your rifle in a Remington Safe.

Taking care of your tools is the best to ensure they will last a lifetime and continue to perform the way you need them to! Follow these steps and protect your investment.

More of a visual learner? Checkout this helpful video.