How To Clean Your Shotgun

Rachel Draper dishes the dirt on this painstaking but essential task

- Rachel Draper

It’s the time of year where you end every shoot day with soggy tweeds, chilly toes, and mud where you didn’t think it was even possible for mud to get. And what about your gun? If it’s anything like mine it’s been subjected to heavy rain, howling winds and dirty, wet gun slips.

My gun is already booked in for a full strip and-clean service once the season is over, as this is a vital part of gun maintenance, but I wanted to know what I should be doing at the end of each shoot.

Is there a basic cleaning routine that could help protect my gun and keep it in better overall condition? I wanted to get a professional opinion, so I went to visit Ian Sweetman, renowned craftsman and owner of I.S Sweetman, Gun & Rifle Makers.

Ian’s focus is building new best English shotguns and rifles for the trade but he also takes on the occasional repair and was very happy to give me some top tips. I must take this opportunity to make perfectly clear that basic cleaning is by no means a replacement for proper professional servicing, and you should always take your gun to a fully qualified gunsmith or gunmaker once a year for a full health check. This step-by-step guide is simply a helping hand to look after your gun on a day-to-day basis. Please do not try to take apart the action or internals of your gun and if you have any concerns about damage or wear, seek professional advice as soon as possible.