Req 2A-h — Clean a Shotgun Properly

This is a hands-on demonstration. Your counselor will watch you clean a shotgun from start to finish, evaluating both your technique and your safety habits throughout the process.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

1. Make the Gun Safe

Open the action. Visually and physically verify the chamber and magazine are empty. Remove all ammunition from the cleaning area.

2. Disassemble as Needed

For a break-action, separate the barrel(s) from the receiver by opening the gun fully and releasing the forend latch. For a pump-action, remove the barrel per the manufacturer’s instructions. You do not need to fully disassemble the gun—just separate the barrel from the action so you can access the bore from the breech end.

3. Run the Bore Brush

Attach the bore brush to the cleaning rod. Insert the rod from the breech end and push it all the way through the barrel and out the muzzle. Pull it back through. Repeat 5–10 times. The brush loosens fouling from the bore walls.

4. Apply Solvent with a Patch

Switch to the patch holder. Thread a cleaning patch through the jag or slotted tip, apply bore solvent, and push it through the bore from breech to muzzle. Let the solvent sit for a minute or two to dissolve fouling.

5. Run Clean Patches

Push clean, dry patches through the bore from breech to muzzle. Each patch picks up dissolved residue. Continue with fresh patches until a patch comes out clean—no dark residue, no color.

6. Oil the Bore Lightly

Run one patch with a light coating of gun oil through the bore. This leaves a thin protective film that prevents rust during storage. If you will be shooting again soon, you may skip this step or wipe the bore dry before your next session (excess oil in the bore can affect the first shot).

7. Wipe Down External Surfaces

Use a lightly oiled rag to wipe down all metal surfaces—the receiver, trigger guard, barrel exterior, and any exposed metal on the action. This removes fingerprints (which contain moisture and salt) and prevents rust.

8. Reassemble and Store

Put the gun back together. Open the action. Store the gun unloaded with the action open in a locked safe or case.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Cleaning from the muzzle end: Always clean from breech to muzzle. Cleaning from the muzzle can damage the crown (the edge of the bore at the muzzle), which affects shot pattern.
• Over-oiling: A thick layer of oil collects dust and gums up the action. Use a thin film only.
• Skipping the bore brush: Patches alone will not remove hard fouling. The brush does the scrubbing work.

The Counselor Conversation

Demonstrate the entire process while narrating what you are doing and why. Your counselor is checking that you verify the gun is empty before you start, clean from breech to muzzle, use the correct sequence, and handle the gun safely throughout.