Winchester Repeating Arms X Rifle - Manual (Page 23)

calibers will also require more frequent inspection and
cleaning. Swab the bore of your rifle with a good
copper solvent using the product manufacturer’s
recommended procedure.
6. After fouling has been removed, wipe the bore dry.
Then pass a lightly oiled patch through the barrel for
preservation. A fine, light gun oil is recommended. The
barrel and action should be inspected thoroughly to be
certain no cleaning patches have been inadvertently
left in them.
7. The interior of the receiver and the bolt should
periodically be wiped with a clean rag. This is best done
with the trigger group removed (see “Removing the
Trigger Group”on page 13), and with the empty
magazine removed and the bolt in its open position.
Any dried oil in these areas or on the magazine follower
should be removed. Follow this cleaning by applying a
very light film of oil on the affected parts.
8. Wipe all exposed metal surfaces with an oiled cloth,
making sure to wipe gun clean of all finger marks.
Finger marks should be removed because they provide a
place where moisture can accumulate.
9. Lightly oil the bolt guide lugs and guide rails. Ordinary
good judgment will, of course, indicate that the metal
of the gun should receive a light film of oil any time the
rifle has been exposed to weather or handling. This is
very important and must be done with every firearm.
Remember, the fitted surfaces of the receiver and
action mechanisms must always have a thin film of oil.
Make sure that the surfaces of the breech bolt are
especially clean and lightly oiled with a high quality
gun oil. Do not use pure silicone or lanolin.
10. Inspect the barrel and chamber. Make certain that no
patches have been inadvertently left in them. Remove
any that remain.
11. The wood surfaces of your rifle can also be wiped
lightly with fine oil, or you can apply a quality wood
or furniture polish to the stock and forearm. Using
one of these methods (not both), will enhance the
beauty and durability of your rifle.
12. When transporting your rifle, store it in a quality
protective case to prevent scratches and dents.
Store your rifle in a cool, dry place to prevent
corrosion. Store your rifle and ammunition separately,
away from children.
MAKE SURE YOUR RIFLE IS UNLOADED AND ALWAYS
STORE AMMUNITION SEPARATELY AND AWAY FROM
ALL FIREARMS.
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Your rifle will function better and more reliably over a
longer period of time if it is properly maintained and kept
clean. You should clean your rifle after each day of
shooting and more often if it becomes excessively dirty.
A minimum cleaning includes wiping down the action
and oiling key parts. Most regular maintenance will also
include cleaning the barrel. If you encounter a function
problem, be sure to give your gun a thorough cleaning to
see if that solves the problem before seeking the services
of our service facility or a qualified gunsmith.
BE CERTAIN YOUR GUN’S CHAMBER IS UNLOADED
AND THE MAGAZINE IS REMOVED. ALWAYS WEAR
PROTECTIVE SAFETY GLASSES DURING ALL CLEANING
PROCEDURES. KEEP AMMUNITION AWAY FROM THE
CLEANING AREA. NEVER TEST THE FUNCTION OF YOUR
FIREARM WITH LIVE AMMUNITION.
C LEANING S UGGESTIONS —
1. BE CERTAIN THE RIFLE IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED
AND THE SAFETY IS IN THE “ON SAFE” POSITION.
Again, to unload your rifle, remove the magazine and
eject any live cartridge in the chamber by pulling the
operating handle fully to the rear.
2. Install an empty magazine and pull the bolt fully
rearward with the operating handle. The bolt will be
held in the open position if the magazine is installed.
With the bolt locked open, remove the empty magazine.
3. Using a rifle cleaning rod with tip and patch large
enough for a snug fit in the bore, insert the rod and
patch in the barrel from the muzzle end and run back
and forth several times. Care should be exercised to
ensure that neither the cleaning rod nor the handle
strikes the crown of the muzzle, as damage to this area
can adversely affect the accuracy of the rifle. A muzzle
protector can be purchased separately from your local
firearms dealer to help protect the muzzle crown while
cleaning the barrel of your rifle.
4. Inspect the chamber and bore for powder fouling. A
normal amount of powder residue can be expected and
is not serious. It can usually be removed by repeating
step 3, using a patch saturated with nitro-solvent. If,
or when, fouling should become heavy, it can be
removed with a brass bore brush. Dip the brush in
nitro-solvent and scrub the chamber and bore until
the fouling is removed. To prevent brass bristles from
breaking off, the brush should be pushed completely
through the bore before being withdrawn. Your rifle
will operate smoothly and reliably with a clean bore
and chamber.
5. To maintain the utmost accuracy of your rifle it is
recommended you clean the bore with a copper
solvent. Modern bullet jackets are made mainly of
copper and zinc. Copper and zinc residue sticks to the
bore and require more frequent cleaning. Magnum
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