Nothing wrong in my opinion with someone paying a professional to disassemble and clean their firearm if they have the money. In fact, I would recommend it to those who aren't very mechanically inclined. Talk to any gunsmith and I'm sure they'll tell you that people who shouldn't be taking their guns apart help generate business. They'll likely also tell you that improper cleaning methods have led to the early demise of many a rifle barrel.

While I change my own oil and perform all the routine maintenance and basic repairs (at least for me) on all by vehicles, I understand completely when others prefer to pay a professional to do it for them.

Paying someone to do it for you for convenience vs paying them because you don’t know any better is two different things. I’ve restored 3 old cars and built several race motors, but I no longer change my own oil. I’d sooner undertake an engine swap than an oil change. It’s about convenience for me.

Sorry, got off subject, if you don’t mind paying, pay a gunsmith to teach you. They tend to be grumpy because they deal with know it all people all day. Go with the intent to learn and they will be much more open.

Fair enough. I guess I assumed this was a bolt action rifle and also it being a fairly new gun all one really needs is the bore cleaned. That said, god bless the world of youtube and the like. It has a how to video on dang near everything, just sifting through what is bs is a little difficult.

Amen. YouTube can also be a great resource for deciding if a job is more than you can handle, or simply don't want to handle.

Run a few dry patches until the patch is clean is ideal but A couple shots will dry it out
.
Oil in your barrel will cause Point of Impact Changes. Very few non-over bore calibers get shot enough to really foul out for point of Impact changes.

Go have fun at the range. Don't over think it

Hello scottfromdallas,

lol, thank you sir. You are right, I need to stop being lazy and learn to take care of my rifle I use to enjoy my time with and clean my own rifle and get ready for hunting season.

You are correct sir.

You seem to be admitting inexperience, so I dont see a problem paying to get the gun cleaned if you are uncomfortable. However, I highly suggest you do it with the intention of learning how to do it yourself. See if they will teach you or get someone to teach you or use utube to learn. I clean my bore more often than some are saying(for accuracy) so I would hate to have to pay someone to do it that often. It really isnt difficult to do but you need to research/learn first. Good luck.

Exactly. If I were in Houston, I'd tell you to bring me a 6 pack of beer and I'd teach you to clean your rifle. It is very easy.

Thank you wp75169,

I will clean the rifle myself sir. Thank you for the advice.

Thank you all very very much for helping me.

Today I called Savage technical support and asked them should I clean the rifle. They said definitely yes, and to follow the manual for cleaning instructions. They representive also said to prevent fouling to clean the barrel after about 10-20 shots to prevent fouling and to check the zero after each cleaning to make sure my zero is still good. He stated that fouling could could eventually cause inaccurate shooting.

So next Friday, I will follow those instructions in manual to clean the barrel and oil the outside, and then go zero the rifle and then clean it again before going out the next weekend for practice.

My plan is to practice shooting about 10 rounds per weekend at about 100 yards. I was surprised he said to clean the barrel every 10 rounds to prevent fouling but it is there rifle so I guess they are right.

I clean my savage every 150ish rounds. You do you though. Many clues were dropped but you just missed them it would appear.

There was a time when I’d clean the bore every 12 rounds. Then fire 2, let it cool and fire two 5 shot groups. Then repeat. I don’t do that any more. I clean it when my accuracy tells me to clean it. For your purposes, you can clean the bore as often as you like or, like my Dad, never clean it. For a weekend paper puncher and deer hunter, it just isn’t that darned important. Clean it every 50 rounds. I have a couple of rifles that need cleaning after about that many rounds. I don’t have any that need cleaning more than that.

Use the cleaning gear that has been suggested. 50 rounds. Good starting point.

You could drive to my place, use my range, then use my cleaning gear. I’ll show ya how to do it. I’m 140 miles north of you, up I-45.

Hello 603Country,

Thank you very much sir. Perhaps, I will take you up on your offer sir and come and visit you for a one day trip.

Cleaning after 50 rounds does sound agreeable and reasonable.

How do you know when your rifle needs cleaning?

Hello 2Beez, what model savage do you have?

Also when do you clean your rifle after 150 rounds?