You need your gun to be in full working order to get the scores you deserve every time you shoot – look after your gun and your scores will look after themselves
Whether you shoot regularly or just a few times a year, it is important to make sure your gun is kept clean and well-maintained. Regular cleaning and servicing by an experienced gunsmith are highly recommended: if you don’t look after your gun it will not give you your best scores; a neglected gun could stop working properly, shooting accurately and in the worst case, stop working altogether.
As well as going to a professional there are many things you can do yourself at home to prolong the life of your shotgun. After each competition or practice session, it is important to make sure all the dirt and grit are out of the bore and chamber as this can affect the accuracy of your shot. Because the surfaces of the gun move together so closely and with such speed, it can be dangerous to have too much friction between them. However, it is vital that you do not over‑oil the parts as excessive oil can solidify to a waxy consistency if left for too long and can make the moving parts slow.
Even common problems such as bore rust are not beyond your help as many suppliers sell kits that clean and restore the bore quickly and easily. Try and clean your gun as soon as possible after a shoot and if you are using it for the first time after it has been stored for some time, be sure to check it and clean it if necessary.
Storing your gun correctly when not in use is as important as transporting it in a suitable gun slip that will protect it from any knocks or bumps whilst travelling to shoots. The more you take care of your gun, the longer it will last.
We’ve put together a selection of cleaning and maintenance products on the market to help you look after your gun.
Napier Gun Oil
Napier Gun Oil penetrates even the most inaccessible parts of your gun to provide complete protection from corrosion.
It won’t break down under extremes of temperature and will keep ejectors and action protected.
The high surface adhesion properties help to keep the oil where it is needed and makes removal of finger marks a simple matter of wiping over the gun.
From £4.66
www.napieruk.com
Baron’s UK shotgun slip
The Baron Shotgun slip is durable and reliable; made from water-repellent 16oz canvas with rubber backing and trimmed with waxed leather, this gun slip comes with extra padding and a convenient zipped pocket to keep your licence safe.
£163
www.williamevans.com
KleenBore Phosphor Bronze Brushes
Designed with rounded, smooth bristle tips rather than sharp, crimped, narrow ones, KleenBore’s precisely designed Phosphor Bronze Brushes feature carefully-made, thicker, straight bronze wire bristles for safer, more effective
cleaning power.
KleenBore Phosphor Bronze Brushes will not easily bend from force down the bore and are guaranteed not to damage your gun.
Price dependent on gauge
www.aspen-international.com
Remington Super Moisture Guard Plugs
These Super Moisture Guard plugs from Remington are snapcaps with impregnated VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) technology. A simple idea for protecting all metals from rust and corrosion; just by placing one into the chamber of your gun, the moisture guard plugs leave no scent residue and give 30 cubic feet of protection.
These products should be the last application prior to storing any metal gear or equipment.
£22
www.edgarbrothers.com
Hoppe’s Shotgun Cleaning Kit with Aluminium Rod
Cleaning kits are perfect for shooters who want the convenience of knowing they have everything they need in one place. The Hoppe’s Shotgun Cleaning Kit includes Hoppe’s No 9 solvent, lubrication oil, patches, slotted ends and adapters and aluminium cleaning rods. Available in reusable plastic boxes with mounted instructions and a more economical clamshell version.
£14
www.edgarbrothers.com
Jack Pyke Shotgun Cleaning Kit
Make sure everything you need to look after your gun is on hand when you need it with this handy shotgun cleaning kit from Jack Pyke. It contains a three-piece brass rod set, two wool mops, a bronze wire brush and comes in a black plastic storage box. Available in a range of sizes.
£14.95
www.thatchreed.co.uk
Topgun Shotgun Slip
Made from a tough, waterproof, canvas this slip will keep your shotgun protected whilst out on the ground. It features a heavy-duty zip, 25mm of padding for maximum protection, a wide shoulder strap for convenient padding and handy side pockets for accessories.
£20
www.topgunclothing.co.uk
Napier Ultra Clean
Ultra Clean is literally a brush and a mop on a single roll. It is a double sided and self amalgamating fabric roll that can be used with any chemical cleaner. The rough side has a safe abrasive action that scrubs the bore, but unlike a brush it will hold the dirt particles and remove them completely. A quick spray with oil or cleaner then another pass with the highly absorbent mop side of the fabric and the job’s done.
£6.77
www.napieruk.com
Jack Pyke Shotgun Double Mop Set
The Jack Pyke double mop set comes with two soft cotton bore cleaners available in sizes 12, 20 and 410 gauge bore. A simple, yet effective way to clean and maintain your shotgun.
£5.95
www.thatchreed.co.uk
Cleaning kit
Designed with the most serious of shooters in mind, the Valupro compact cleaning kit is available in a range of sizes and contains everything you need to maintain and clean your shotgun.
The kit is compactly fitted into a convenient organising tray and sturdy polypropylene travel case.
£20 www.gmk.co.uk
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