I’m just curious what you guys think about how a clean bore vs. dirty bore effects accuracy? Also, what about a cold barrel vs. a hot barrel? How much time do you guys wait between shots to allow for the barrel to cool? I’ve had a few inconsistencies lately and I’m trying to pinpoint the cause. I’ve been shooting out of a lead sled but next time I’m going to shoot off of sand bags. I’ve read that a lot of people don’t like the lead sleds and that they can be rough on your equipment. What does aldeer think?

I'd say its gonna vary from rifle to rifle. Some like a clean bore. some like a dirty bore. some will eat and shoot anything you put in it at any time.
I do not like the lead sled because it changes your hold points and when you shoulder the rifle its at a completely different position. Its best to use a bag rest and shoulder your rifle as youre going to shoot it in a real hunting situation

It will vary depending on the rifle. I have a few that are accurate and shoot to the correct POI with a clean cold bore. Most rifles need 2-3 fouling shots from clean, and I have one rifle that will need at least 12 fouling shots before it groups to its best accuracy potential.

Thin barrels usually heat up quickly and accuracy will degrade after 2-3 shots if not allowed to cool. As hot as it is now, resting the barrel between every shot is important IMHO.

I never use a lead sled. Take that POS and throw it in a lake.

While I have not had a rifle take 12 shots I agree with AU338MAG with the rest of what he says.
I usually try to shoot off sand bags, that way your hold points are very close to the same. If your having issues then I would clean the gun and start with that.

Lead sleds are not good for scopes and scope mounts.

Time for cooling varies.Each rifle is a law into itself. Anyone says their rifles poi never changes pour salt on them. Had a 6mm Remington needed 5 shots before it would group. Powder burn rate humidity tempature wind speed&direction all affect accuracy. SpecialK if you want those factors minimized get you a 6 ppc and that'll help. (AU338 is laughing at my recommendation cause he knows 6 ppc shooters are the biggest accuracy nerds in the world)

Unless your shooting 100 or more rounds every season no reason to be cleaning the bore every year. If your rifle is sighted in then I’d leave it be. Other than that see AU338 comment

You never know which rifle will shoot clean. One of mine that works right out of the safe is a Winchester M70 Classic in 300 Weatherby magnum. First shot is ALWAYS where it should be.

I always shoot a couple fouling shots after cleaning. When shooting for groups, I always let barrel cool between shots and never shoot when barrel is more than warm. This time of year, I like to shoot early and normally wait several minutes between shots. Lead sleds are junk, good adjustable front rest with a rabbit ear rear rest for me.

Wow, what a nice rifle! Factory barrel or custom?

If she ever needs a new home I know a feller with a M70 affliction. She’d look mighty fine sitting between the Classic .300WinMag & .338WinMag

I shoot my hunting rifles right before season and "fowl" the barrel until the accuracy settles back in.

I hunt with it the rest of the season. Then I clean it after season.

I cringe a little bit when I think about that I was trained to clean rifles to a degree that requires breaking out a toothbrush just because you took it out of the case. Even if you don't shoot it.

I might never admit I do that again.

I used to put mine in a lead sled fire one shot then dial in the adjustment fire 1 more to verify then i shoot one or two groups with sandbags to make sure im where i want to be. I dont see how a lead sled could possibly be bad for equipment the muzzle can still rise and its only 45 lbs of weight the rifle is sitting on and it will slide back, its the most stable platform you can have to do a 2 or 3 shot sight in. put the crosshairs dead on bulls eye at 100yards fire one shot measure up/down left/right dial it in and 2nd shot is usually dead on. I would not use one just for target practice but as far as getting a rifle properly sighted in its awesome. I use a front bipod and rear sand bag now most of the time. I see guys shoot thru 2 and 3 boxes of ammo trying to sight in sometimes because they really have no idea where the crosshairs were when they pulled the trigger so they just randomly turn dials until they get close enough

I do the same thing with my bolt guns i might run a bore snake thru it. no reason to clean a rifle you may only shoot a few times that year

^^^this^^^

I can't shoot for crap out of a lead sled....I shoot MUCH better off bags or even a wadded up jacket than I do off a sled

Love my Lead sled and table.

This is my process

I dont clean a rifle barrel till accuracy falls off.

I'll add the reason you lose accuracy after barrel cleaning could be bullets. Barnes copper bullets don't like a clean barrel. My Sako is one ragged hole after cleaning, dirty it doesn't matter with Hornadys. I switched to Barnes TTSX a couple years ago . My groups started out about 2" , the more I shot it the better it got, now it's back to one ragged hole, took a bunch of rounds to "season" the barrel with the copper bullets. After cleaning after about 3 shots my son's Tikka was lights out with them . Both are .308's.

Had an Engineer explain to me the "Why?" Barnes ttsxs prefer a fouled bore. It's really long boring dry and only makes sense to rifle loonys and accuracy nerds. Basically it's Ttsxs length and being "harder" than traditional softpoints.

Don't have an issue with mine, i installed some mattress foam in the rear of mine, it's softer & gives more than any human shoulder will