Cleaning rod hard to push through

[BC_Guy]

Don't know how many ppl use a snake or otis kit on a 'precision rifle'. I've always thought of those more as field kits. I use a gun cradle, bore guide, dewey rod and push action to crown. Really hard to push usually means too big of a patch (though it should be kinda hard).

 

[noneck180]

B.C Guy you are correct..I can't see the military carrying around a Dewey rod, bore guide, etc..
Not sure if there was something the water this week but man have we had some real good answers this weekend..for crying out loud.. a cleaning rod, goes in from the breech, to the muzzle.
Chances are if your really tight you may need to put a little more solvent,oil or something to get the patches, to slide easier.
Patches may be too large as well, I cut my own as I clean..so my sizes vary..

 

[carbonrod]

Wow, I wonder how many millions of people have been doing this wrong all these years

Maynard, some here know your experience. Some, like me, are still learning. Keep firing tips.

Sussuido, what rod, diameter barrel and patch setup are you using? Assuming you have a dewey type rig with a spear or wrap jag, you just need some cotton patches cut the right size. Too large(or too thick fabric) and they will be a mess to push through. Too small, and they won't clean well. Honestly, I've been using bed sheets from value village. lol

I cut my patches so they are stiff enough that I have to push the rod through a little, but loose enough that the rod will not flex and contact the bore. Even then, I only clean when the barrel needs to -- after I got it wet in the rain, after a hunt, or when there is copper buildup, or a degradation in performance.

 

[tangospike99]

Its just great all the comments to people learning or wanting to learn. Way to talk to new people. I see this in other threads too, really makes me wonder who the real trolls are. Its just a good way to drive people form the board.

 

[carbonrod]

Its just great all the comments to people learning or wanting to learn. Way to talk to new people. I see this in other threads too, really makes me wonder who the real trolls are. Its just a good way to drive people form the board.

If fairness, I think some of it stems from the inability to differentiate knowledge from smak over the internet. There are guys on this board that have been shooting very well for a very good number of years. And there are those that claim to outshoot them. Really hard to tell who to believe online.

 

[dryfire]

Regardless of ones experience or expertise, one might want to confirm anything on these forums with other internet or printed matter sources. Separate research will concur with or refute much of what is stated here. It behooves any and all to do research.

 

[carbonrod]

Regardless of ones experience or expertise, one might want to confirm anything on these forums with other internet or printed matter sources. Separate research will concur with or refute much of what is stated here. It behooves any and all to do research.

How do you research ones expertise online when a large # of posters offer opinion based on little experience? Often, you'd be trusting the inexperienced if you took a demographic aproach.

That is a broad generalization to most online subject matters that I have experienced since the early 90s, but the awesome part to the Canadian shooting forums is that most provinces have at least one shooting team that is near begging for new shooters to come out in whatever capacity and contribute and participate.

In Alberta, I know of at least three. I am pretty sure that I have a good contact for every province, but Quebec, should someone want to learn a soon to be lost art.

This forum is great, but check with the local rounds down range club first. They may seem odd with their hip replacements, and gray hair, but they have the burnt out barrels to show they are not full of schmidt.

In Alberta, the next date is Nov 14. All are welcome. If this is not the right format, or location for someone, PM me. I am sure I am sure that I can point them in an appropriate direction.

Push pull gong show. C`mon. There are posters on this thread that should know better frusterated or not.

 

[rangebob]

I use a bore snake 5 times after every shoot.

The first time is usually difficult. (lots of friction)
The second is easier.
The third through fifth are fairly easy.
Then the bore snake goes into the washing machine.

An Otis is on order. It will be my first experience with patches.

 

[dan belisle]

I use bore snakes for a quick field clean, for an in depth bore clean it's rods and wipeout, or one of the hard core ammonia copper removers (Barnes etc). Rod goes in from the breech, through a guide, where possible. On firearms where this doesn't work it's from the bore, but again through a guide, and a certain care is required. The chamber is cleaned after the bore is clean. Been working for me for 35 years or so. I've used various rods (PH, Tipton, Dewey, Outers, a home made one a machinist friend of mine made, and in the beginning whatever came in the kit) over the years. Better rods and guides make the job easier. Modern chemistry helps too, lol (as does a good sized bench and a gun vise). As mentioned, proper size patches make a big difference. I prefer brass brushes, but keep a few stainless ones on hand for certain jobs, but they don't go down the bore as a general rule (hard on the steel, in my opinion). That's my cleaning 101, but I always keep an eye out for improvements. FWIW - dan

 

[beltfed]

I've used pull throughs, segmented steel rods, and brass rods in the past.
Never used a bore snake, but based on my experiences with pull throughs, wouldn't use them unless for field expedience.

I now only use coated, one piece rods on all my guns. Dewy makes good ones, and I replace them if they get bent out of shape.

I've never believed in the 'only clean from one direction' bit, even when teaching it in the military - think of it like this, do you clean a frying pan with baked on crap from one direction only?

 

[Trotter]

I have always likes Hoppes. Here is a simple cleaning procedure:
I use a one piece cleaning rod, Hoppes gun vise, and use a jag set (including 12 guage).

http://www.hoppes.com/GuidetoGunCare.pdf

Be sure the gun is unloaded and all ammunition has been
removed from the cleaning area
1. Attach the bore brush to the cleaning rod and
moisten with Hoppe’s No. 9. Starting from the breech
end of the barrel, when possible, work the brush
back and forth to loosen residue and fouling. Ensure
the brush passes completely through the barrel
before drawing the brush back through the barrel.
Starting from the breech end guards against any
accidental contact between the metal rod and the
finely-machined rifling at the muzzle tip and reduces
the amount of fouling, deposits or metal fragments
that may fall into the action.
2. Remove the bore brush and attach a slotted end to the cleaning rod. Insert a cloth into the slotted end and, starting from the breech end of the barrel, push the cloth through the
barrel. Remove the cloth and repeat process until the final
cloth comes out clean. This will remove any lead and
powder deposits. If you’ve been shooting with copperjacketed
bullets, you’ll need to use Hoppe’s Bench Rest 9®. Bench Rest 9 has been specially formulated to cut copper, as well as lead and any other build-up in the barrel.
3. Now that you have finished cleaning the bore, attach a clean patch to the slotted end and moisten it with Hoppe’s Lubricating Oil and run it through the barrel once. This will put a fine coat of oil inside your barrel to prevent rusting.
4. Using your utility brush, clean dirt and materials from the gun’s action. Moving parts such as the action and trigger mechanism can be wetted with solvent, then scrubbed with the brush. Any type of Hoppe’s solvent can be used. The larger bristles on the utility brush can be used to clean any broad surfaces, while the smaller bristles can be used to get into hard-to-reach areas.
5. After you’ve scrubbed with the brush, wipe the area clean
and apply a light coating of oil. Wipe all metal surfaces clean and lightly oil.
6. Finally, wipe all exposed metal surfaces with a light coat
of oil.

 

[noneck180]

I've used pull throughs, segmented steel rods, and brass rods in the past.
Never used a bore snake, but based on my experiences with pull throughs, wouldn't use them unless for field expedience.

I now only use coated, one piece rods on all my guns. Dewy makes good ones, and I replace them if they get bent out of shape.

I've never believed in the 'only clean from one direction' bit, even when teaching it in the military - think of it like this, do you clean a frying pan with baked on crap from one direction only?

Do frying pans have scratches on them when your done..and does it matter?? better example is needed..this thread has been beaten death already.

 

[Sussuido]

Maynard, some here know your experience. Some, like me, are still learning. Keep firing tips.

Sussuido, what rod, diameter barrel and patch setup are you using? Assuming you have a dewey type rig with a spear or wrap jag, you just need some cotton patches cut the right size. Too large(or too thick fabric) and they will be a mess to push through. Too small, and they won't clean well. Honestly, I've been using bed sheets from value village. lol

I cut my patches so they are stiff enough that I have to push the rod through a little, but loose enough that the rod will not flex and contact the bore. Even then, I only clean when the barrel needs to -- after I got it wet in the rain, after a hunt, or when there is copper buildup, or a degradation in performance.

Hey Crabon, I tried cutting the patches down I think that was the problem. When pushing it through there is ample resistence but not as bad as before where I had to really push hard.

Thanks everyone for your input!