Does the bore snake clean better than the patch? From all the videos I saw online, the same snake going through the bore multiple would only bring the dirt back to the bore compared to single pass with a clean patch each time. Any real world comparison on the cleanness?
Bore Snake v.s. Patch
- Thread starter luckey
- Start date
crazyjackrabbit
CGN Regular
I tend to use the bore snake more than anything. Only time I break out the patches is for when its really dirty or when I'm not expecting to use it for a long while.
- Location
- West Quebec
I don't think a bore snake is better but easier and slightly less effective. If I want to make sure it's really clean I still depend on patches..
heavenIsAlie
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Abbotsford
unless I shoot lead bullets, I literally never clean the bore of my pistols
edit: when I do clean my .22s though, I like the bore snake
edit: when I do clean my .22s though, I like the bore snake
- Location
- West Quebec
There is a new version by Otis for rifles that seems interesting..
h ttp://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/brushes-amp-bore-snakes/chamber-brushes/223cal-5-56mm-ripcord-36--sku668000130-59239-123547.aspx?sku=668000130
The main gripe about the snakes is about when they break in the barrel. It hasn't happened to me, but I can see how that would be annoying.
I don't like the idea of contaminating the washing machine, but dish soap in half a 4 liter milk jug works for cleansing your snake.
A kind of comparison here:
ht tp://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/bore-snake/
Although the question should be "what is the best way to clean your bore if you are appallingly lazy?".
10 minutes with brush and patches isn't a fair comparison to 1 minute with a snake.
I don't like the idea of contaminating the washing machine, but dish soap in half a 4 liter milk jug works for cleansing your snake.
A kind of comparison here:
ht tp://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/bore-snake/
Although the question should be "what is the best way to clean your bore if you are appallingly lazy?".
10 minutes with brush and patches isn't a fair comparison to 1 minute with a snake.
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
bought one on sale and never used it. Rod and patches for me. Snakes don't really do anything other then pull out any powder residue and make your bag dirty. I don't clean a pistol barrel unless there is a need (ie lead or copper fouling) or to prepare for long term storage. Plus i HATE the idea of the snake rubbing against the crown of the barrel...makes me think of counter-bored Mosin's...
I won't ever own or use a bore snake for a variety of reasons.
First off is as mentioned you're simply pulling the same crud through the bore time after time unless you wash them well. And for obvious health reasons (at least I HOPE this is obvious) they should NOT be included in with the family washing. That means hand washing in the sink or a little bucket with enough time and agitation to ensure it gets clean enough. And that's an annoying prospect to me.
Second is that any grit that becomes embedded in the pull cord or the body of the snake which lodges in there is going to scratch at the bore and muzzle crown. I've yet to see anyone using a bore snake that pulls it axially out of the muzzle. So any grit in the material is wearing at and flaring out the muzzle crown. The VERY WORST spot to be worn away when it comes to accuracy. And again more flare is caused due to the compression of the body of the snake swelling out as it passes out from the crown.
Due to the length of the bore snakes it's very hard to keep them off the ground or a table top. And unless the floor or table top are cleaned before use there's no guarantee that grit isn't on these surfaces which can be picked up by the material of the snake. So that calls for rather extreme measures to ensure that the bore snake remains clean. Like pulling the end from a sealed bag and drawing the rest of the snake into the bore directly from that bag. And at the same time controlling the snake as it exits to avoid contact with the table or floor. Especially if you're working hard to ensure as axial a pull as possible. Bore snakes simply tossed into gear bags or kept in rifle cases are going to inevitably pick up and retain grains of grit which then act like sand paper.
I've typed all this before and the bore snake fans poo-poo it as needless worry. But as a home hobby machinist that knows how small invisible amounts of grit are effective as an abrasive I'll pass on using a bore snake which is just about the perfect grit picker upper. For me it's cleaning jags that use a fresh patch for every pass and a brass crown protector on the cleaning rod that is used without fail to avoid the cleaning rod rubbing the rifling at the muzzle. Or even better, using the cleaning rod from the breech on the guns that allow access to the breech.
First off is as mentioned you're simply pulling the same crud through the bore time after time unless you wash them well. And for obvious health reasons (at least I HOPE this is obvious) they should NOT be included in with the family washing. That means hand washing in the sink or a little bucket with enough time and agitation to ensure it gets clean enough. And that's an annoying prospect to me.
Second is that any grit that becomes embedded in the pull cord or the body of the snake which lodges in there is going to scratch at the bore and muzzle crown. I've yet to see anyone using a bore snake that pulls it axially out of the muzzle. So any grit in the material is wearing at and flaring out the muzzle crown. The VERY WORST spot to be worn away when it comes to accuracy. And again more flare is caused due to the compression of the body of the snake swelling out as it passes out from the crown.
Due to the length of the bore snakes it's very hard to keep them off the ground or a table top. And unless the floor or table top are cleaned before use there's no guarantee that grit isn't on these surfaces which can be picked up by the material of the snake. So that calls for rather extreme measures to ensure that the bore snake remains clean. Like pulling the end from a sealed bag and drawing the rest of the snake into the bore directly from that bag. And at the same time controlling the snake as it exits to avoid contact with the table or floor. Especially if you're working hard to ensure as axial a pull as possible. Bore snakes simply tossed into gear bags or kept in rifle cases are going to inevitably pick up and retain grains of grit which then act like sand paper.
I've typed all this before and the bore snake fans poo-poo it as needless worry. But as a home hobby machinist that knows how small invisible amounts of grit are effective as an abrasive I'll pass on using a bore snake which is just about the perfect grit picker upper. For me it's cleaning jags that use a fresh patch for every pass and a brass crown protector on the cleaning rod that is used without fail to avoid the cleaning rod rubbing the rifling at the muzzle. Or even better, using the cleaning rod from the breech on the guns that allow access to the breech.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
This. ^^ Bore snakes are crown killers.
