I have 2 .22 caliber rifles I use solely for squirrel hunting. One is a 10/22 and the other is a cz452. I generally only shoot them a few times to check zero, after which I just hunt. I might fire 200 rounds per year. Both rifles are 1/2” shooters at 50 yards. I might have cleaned the barrels once in 15 years. I have another factory 10/22 made around 1974. I carry it around the farm either in a side by side or farm pickup for shooting snakes, muskets, beavers, and anything else that needs killing. I haven’t cleaned the barrel in many years and it still shoots where I aim. If accuracy ever falls off, I guess I’ll clean the barrel. I’m in the camp that believes cleaning a barrel does more harm than good. YMMV
