There are plenty of threads on “dirty” rimfire ammo all over this forumn and the rest of the web. All of them address mainly how it “shoots dirty”, with blah blah blah powders, and blah blah blah primers, and blah blah blah projectiles. I can’t seem to find anything really addressing how darn filthy the outside of most of the rounds are. Especially the bulk “ buckets” style rounds.
I was wondering if the sheer amount of crap coating the cartridges themselves has any bearing on firearm malfunctions and the need for more cleaning than “normal”? I don’t shoot rimfire that often, but sometimes “binge” shoot tons of it one day here and there. The black stains all over my fingers, hands, shooting towels, range bag, etc... from the bulk bullet piles and even the boxed ammo, leads me to believe that could be affecting the weapons more so than the spent powder etc...
What say you rimfire experts? Should I wipe off the shells prior to loading? I get it that junk is most likely for anti-corrosion over long term storage, but should they be cleaned prior to shooting? Or is that a lubricant that needs to be on there to aide in proper cycling? Anyway - just wondering because I love shooting and HATE cleaning.
I was wondering if the sheer amount of crap coating the cartridges themselves has any bearing on firearm malfunctions and the need for more cleaning than “normal”? I don’t shoot rimfire that often, but sometimes “binge” shoot tons of it one day here and there. The black stains all over my fingers, hands, shooting towels, range bag, etc... from the bulk bullet piles and even the boxed ammo, leads me to believe that could be affecting the weapons more so than the spent powder etc...
What say you rimfire experts? Should I wipe off the shells prior to loading? I get it that junk is most likely for anti-corrosion over long term storage, but should they be cleaned prior to shooting? Or is that a lubricant that needs to be on there to aide in proper cycling? Anyway - just wondering because I love shooting and HATE cleaning.
