Shooting
Next, give your shotgun a good cleaning. Remove any dirt or grime that has accumulated since it was last used. Cleaning gets rid of fouling such as carbon buildup from the previous season and any surface rust that may have formed. These steps not only ensure the shotgun is safe to use, they also prevent you from getting to the field only to discover a problem that makes hunting impossible that day. If you’re new to hunting, make a checklist of the parts to inspect, then check each item off as you go so nothing is overlooked. Check your shotgun’s chokes: remove them, clean them, and re-lube them. You can use choke grease or even a small amount of petroleum jelly; this process will reveal problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. If waterfowl hunting be sure the choke is rated for steel or other non-toxic shot. Speaking of ammo: shotgun shells tend to be dirtier than rifle cartridges and can leave more debris in the barrel, another reason to clean your shotgun often and carefully.
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