[vash]

here in CA we are required to shoot non-toxic ammo at big game.

i have bad rifle gun-habits and it bit me in the ass. i dont keep my barrels clean. regular Nosler Partitions seem to shoot GREAT for a long long time. when i clean..i swab/brush with Hoppes #9, get the swab to come out clean and call it good.

my 257 wtbymag suffered some more. i didnt clean it often. it shot great until recently when i sent some brand new copper slugs down the tube. it fouled horribly.
here is what happened:
my gun was shooting tight (for me) 3/8th groups @100. i went and inserted a copper round..POW! in the same spot! i was stoked. i fired another and i kid you not..it looked like i threw the bullet down there with a slingshot. it was 2" high right..then it looked more like a pattern than a group. i went back to a lead round..and it was 2" low. i called it a day..and started cleaning my barrel.

i'm using WIPEOUT copper remover. the first swab looked like i wiped down a Smurf. it was dark dark blue. (instructions say BLUE=copper) it got lighter and lighter. i am following instructions..some overnight soaks. the swab is hazed blue now. do i want it WHITE coming out? do you guys go for surgical clean?