- Location
- Prince George, B.C.
- +1
Bore snakes
- Thread starter kirwan6.5
- Start date
- +1
Actually there are licks of evidence. Bore snakes are ok as long as they are used properly and pulled straight to the axis of the bore. For one thing, the carbon grit that is getting loosened and impregnated in the snake is extremely hard and abrasive.
If you want more evidence, check out military evaluations of pull throughs. The militaries of the world, spent countless man hours training individuals on the proper use of pull throughs. The reason for this was deteriorating accuracy, caused by the cord, also much softer than the barrel steel, rubbing against the muzzle and wearing it out of round. The militaries of the world, have written volumes on the subject.
If bore snakes did an acceptable job, they would be used by the different bench rest crowds. Bore care is the bane of their sport and very time consuming. Some fellows are actually under the impression that if it isn't done religeously and at the proper time, usually measured by the number of rounds fired since last cleaning that accuracy will suffer to the point that they won't place in the match.
Bore snakes won't get rid of an insidious copper fouling build up either. That really will effect your accuracy after about 20-40 rounds out of a centerfire rifle, shooting jacketed bullets. By the way, how do you clean your bore snakes? They need TLC as well.
In the end, it all depends on how serious you are as a shooter. If you shoot less than a box of 20/year, a bore snake will be OK. Sooner or later, you will have to deal with the copper fouling and the bore snake just isn't up to the task, without special cleaning treatment later.
My advice, get a proper coated metal cleaning rod and the paraphenalia that goes with it and learn how to use it. Get a can of Wipe Out or some other copper fouling solvent. Wipe Out is just so much easier to use and won't harm the bore if it's left in there to long.
It's been said that "It's good enough for a hunting rifle". Well, maybe it is and maybe it isn't. I've cleaned a lot of rifles for people that didn't know how and taught a lot of people how to do it properly, with proper tools. I've shown them military training documents and their written explanations on how to use a pull through. Some people just don't want to go through the hassle of a thorough cleaning, that's their choice. I have bought some very decent rifles from people that can't figure out what is wrong with their accuracy and all it is is lack of proper cleaning. Some rifles have barrels that are constant foulers and need to be cleaned after less than 20 rounds are fired. That is an extreme case but right in the schedule for a bench rest rifle.
Some rifles are absolute dreams and seem to keep their accuracy forever without fouling or the need to clean so often. Those are jewels and should be cherished as such. They are few and very far between.
Proper cleaning tools and skills are extremely important IMHO. Learn to do it properly and your rifle will last the average shooter a lifetime. If you shoot a lot, it can extend the life of your rifle barrel by as much as 25%. But only if done properly.
I won't go into my real feelings about bore snakes. It would be counter productive.
KDX, I will completely agree with you there but I have a 6ppc that won't. It is an unusual rifle and will shoot to POA from a cold clean barrel every time without fail. As I said there are always exceptions. But you are right for the vast majority of rifles, even the highest priced and best barrels need to be fouled to shoot consistently. Then they have a period of consistent accuracy that will eventually deteriorate. Some more, some less. Then they need to be properly cleaned again and the merry go round starts up.
If you want more evidence, check out military evaluations of pull throughs. The militaries of the world, spent countless man hours training individuals on the proper use of pull throughs. The reason for this was deteriorating accuracy, caused by the cord, also much softer than the barrel steel, rubbing against the muzzle and wearing it out of round. The militaries of the world, have written volumes on the subject.
If bore snakes did an acceptable job, they would be used by the different bench rest crowds. Bore care is the bane of their sport and very time consuming. Some fellows are actually under the impression that if it isn't done religeously and at the proper time, usually measured by the number of rounds fired since last cleaning that accuracy will suffer to the point that they won't place in the match.
Bore snakes won't get rid of an insidious copper fouling build up either. That really will effect your accuracy after about 20-40 rounds out of a centerfire rifle, shooting jacketed bullets. By the way, how do you clean your bore snakes? They need TLC as well.
In the end, it all depends on how serious you are as a shooter. If you shoot less than a box of 20/year, a bore snake will be OK. Sooner or later, you will have to deal with the copper fouling and the bore snake just isn't up to the task, without special cleaning treatment later.
My advice, get a proper coated metal cleaning rod and the paraphenalia that goes with it and learn how to use it. Get a can of Wipe Out or some other copper fouling solvent. Wipe Out is just so much easier to use and won't harm the bore if it's left in there to long.
It's been said that "It's good enough for a hunting rifle". Well, maybe it is and maybe it isn't. I've cleaned a lot of rifles for people that didn't know how and taught a lot of people how to do it properly, with proper tools. I've shown them military training documents and their written explanations on how to use a pull through. Some people just don't want to go through the hassle of a thorough cleaning, that's their choice. I have bought some very decent rifles from people that can't figure out what is wrong with their accuracy and all it is is lack of proper cleaning. Some rifles have barrels that are constant foulers and need to be cleaned after less than 20 rounds are fired. That is an extreme case but right in the schedule for a bench rest rifle.
Some rifles are absolute dreams and seem to keep their accuracy forever without fouling or the need to clean so often. Those are jewels and should be cherished as such. They are few and very far between.
Proper cleaning tools and skills are extremely important IMHO. Learn to do it properly and your rifle will last the average shooter a lifetime. If you shoot a lot, it can extend the life of your rifle barrel by as much as 25%. But only if done properly.
I won't go into my real feelings about bore snakes. It would be counter productive.
KDX, I will completely agree with you there but I have a 6ppc that won't. It is an unusual rifle and will shoot to POA from a cold clean barrel every time without fail. As I said there are always exceptions. But you are right for the vast majority of rifles, even the highest priced and best barrels need to be fouled to shoot consistently. Then they have a period of consistent accuracy that will eventually deteriorate. Some more, some less. Then they need to be properly cleaned again and the merry go round starts up.
I use them for my handguns, and shotgun, no problems. Ive shot 5000 plus through my glock with no problems, havnt used any on the high powered rifles but i did just order some.
clean patch every pass.....
I see where your going with this... when you consider the surface area of the snake when compared to a regular patch you get more cleaning for your effort.... I use the bore snake as a final step once I have the bore to where I think its clean enough. IE no more copper coming out of the bbl on the patches.... or like I said to do a quick clean if there is dust in the bbl from sitting.... then on goes the tape or finger cot and away we go hunting...As for the brush on the front of the snake I would just leave that off if I was making them....
I totally agree with that. I think rifle barrels should be cleaned when accuracy falls off, which is usually a lot longer than most people realize. This going to the range and shooting 5 rounds and cleaning your rifle is a waste of time, (and probably wears your barrel more than shooting) unless it is an odd one like bearhunter's.
Generally,barrels don't wear out from shooting.Rather the combination of heat and pressure erode the throat,until accuracy drops off.Good luck eroding the throat while cleaning with a proper rod and bore guide.On the other hand,you can ruin the crown if you don't clean your guns properly.
- Location
- Fort St John BC
i have bore snakes for my shotguns 22LR and handguns for shotguns i like to be able to do a quick pull through while the barrel is warm then usually after everyday of shooting i do a good cleaning when i get home. with the 22lr its just a 22 and its just simple and when i feel maybe accuracy has actually changed in it i do a good cleaning. and for handguns i like it for during long days at the range when you want to give your barrel a quick clean while shooting a lot and like the others i then do a good cleaning at home. i enjoy cleaning my guns so i make sure they are always clean and i believe a bore snake will NEVER replace a proper cleaning with a good kit ( OTIS elite cleaning kit) bore snakes in my mind defiantly have there purposes and i am satisfied with how well they perform there purposes. I also clean my snakes frequently as i feel it is important for the snake to be very clean to work as intended.
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
handy to have on a hunting trip, very convenient
