Boresnakes for regular cleaning?

I'll occasionally use a boresnake for a quick field clean, but I don't think they're appropriate for proper maintenance cleaning. (1) I don't like using metal brushes that much, preferring nylon. (2) Repeated use of the boresnake will simply keep dragging dirt back into the firearm. (3) Using clean patches solves (2) and also allows you to see how much residue is on the patch. It's hard to tell from inspecting a boresnake how much carbon/copper/whatever is still in the bore.
 
i dont even like useing them as a feild clean..

if your posting this in the precission forum i assume ur talking about a target rifle..

invest in a GOOD 1 peice rod and jag, you will thank yourself for doin it. bore snakes just keep dragging #### threw the barrel
 
Had a look down the barrel while holding it into the light, still some copper streaks so the snake wasn't cleaning very well. Also there are some lines that go in the same direction as the rifling. I think its from the brush on the snake and I hope my barrel isn't screwed. No more boresnake for me. Only reason I used one is because the cleaning rod I had was too short for my long target barrel and the closest gun shop is over 2 hours away.
 
I wouldn't let a boresnake within 10 feet of my rifles. Using a boresnake reminds me of reusing toilet paper after you have a dump. I am talking about precison rifles like already indicated. Just my opinion.
 
EC said:
I wouldn't let a boresnake within 10 feet of my rifles. Using a boresnake reminds me of reusing toilet paper after you have a dump. I am talking about precison rifles like already indicated. Just my opinion.
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Not if you clean the boresnake thoroughly. Either way, I won't be using one again. I hope my barrel is ok.
 
logan1080 said:
Not if you clean the boresnake thoroughly. Either way, I won't be using one again. I hope my barrel is ok.
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chances are thoese streeks you are seeing is where the brush on the bore snake has scraped away the copper fouling.

get your self a proper rod, brush, jag and patches, and pick up some copper solvent.

READ AND FOLLOOW the instructions on the copper solven carfully, and clean your barrel. some copper solvents are very harsh and can damage your barrel if they are left to sit for more then a few minutes
 
What do you folks recommend for a quality cleaning rod? I've got a cheap one from crappy tire that seems to be made of aluminum or something. I don't use it any more because the fit seems to tight and I don't want to damage the crown or the lands.

I use a bore snake for quick after shooting cleans to get those bits of carbon out of the barrel.
 
Tikka223 said:
What do you folks recommend for a quality cleaning rod? I've got a cheap one from crappy tire that seems to be made of aluminum or something. I don't use it any more because the fit seems to tight and I don't want to damage the crown or the lands.

I use a bore snake for quick after shooting cleans to get those bits of carbon out of the barrel.
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Don't use an aluminum cleaning rod..........grit can get embedded into the aluminum and ruin your bore.

Pick up a Dewey coated cleaning rod.They are probably the most popular cleaning rod out there.

http://www.deweyrods.com/

Also get a good quality bore guide for the chamber.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVH1fBk7FbM

I don't use brushes on my rifle bores..........I just push through patches using quality copper/powder cleaning solvents......and only push the patches through.......start by going through the bore guide and out the muzzle. NEVER pull dirty patches back through the bore!!!!!!!

I will never use a bore snake on any of my firerams.
 
since my knolage on bore guides is limeted (sorry to hijack OP) iv been useing a tipton universal bore guide.. is this acceptable or should i be buying caliber specific ones?
 
I use hoppes bore solvent. Is there a better product out there
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Hoppes bore solvent is about as useless as they get when it comes to removing copper fouling. Sweets 7.62, and Barnes CR-10, are both very good at removing copper fouling.

As for Bore Snakes, they don't get used on any of my rifles.
 
ultimate_monkey said:
i dont even like useing them as a feild clean..

if your posting this in the precission forum i assume ur talking about a target rifle..

invest in a GOOD 1 peice rod and jag, you will thank yourself for doin it. bore snakes just keep dragging s**t threw the barrel
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Can't figure out all the talk about boresnakes dragging dirt thru the barrel. Every time the topic comes up, same old comments.

Boresnakes get thrown into a mesh laundry bag after every pass and into the wash, 3 or 4 to a bag, use liquid laundry detergent, double rinse, air dry. I fail to see the problem, must be missing something here.

The only downside I find is the bore sometimes comes out dry, so I just pull an oily patch thru last.....

Of course I haven't broken the pull string off yet while in use......:nest:
 
ls1 said:
Can't figure out all the talk about boresnakes dragging dirt thru the barrel. Every time the topic comes up, same old comments.

Boresnakes get thrown into a mesh laundry bag after every pass and into the wash, 3 or 4 to a bag, use liquid laundry detergent, double rinse, air dry. I fail to see the problem, must be missing something here.
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yup and about 1% of people of use snakes washe them on a regualre basis, let alone was them after every pull like you would have to do to not pull crap threw the bore... sure seams alot easier to use a clean patch every pass threw the bore to me
 
If I need to clean a rifle in the field, I either use the Dewey rod if I'm close to my vehicle (keep it in the hard case), or will carry an Otis kit with me.

A boresnake isn't going to do any kind of meaningful cleaning in a precision centerfire rifle, which is what is required to remove copper and carbon buildup. On a rimfire, it can be useful for keeping the buildup of bullet lube from match ammo under control.
 
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