Time for a new cleaning rig...

jakfrost

jakfrost

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This may not be the correct forum for this question...but, here goes.

I've been using the same old 3 piece screw together aluminum T-handle rod and brush 'system' since my first Cooey single shot .22. Which is to say a LONG time ago.

I've recently acquired some new ( nice, as in expensive ) rifles and my caliber range now extends from .204 Ruger to .300 Win Mag. The old alum rod won't even fit into the breech of the .204 and flops around in the .300. I know this from a couple of very tentative pokes...nothing serious.

From what I have learned from reading here it seems there is quite a variety of opinions ranging from 'bore snakes' to 'bore guides', with both having their champions.

The Otis Elite Kit seems to encompass the caliber range but for that money I was wondering if a couple of quality fibre rods with the correct bore guides wouldn't be money better spent. I don't really need super 'portability' as in Otis, but I do like the compact design. Do I need a different 'bore guide' for each caliber, .204, 7mm-08, .270 Win, 300 WM?

Ideas, opinions, real life experiences?

Thanks,
Jim
 
I have a lot of cleaning stuff - I am a precision shooter. I will tell you this right now nothing beats an old school one piece, coated, cleaning rod - PERIOD. I have an Otis cleaning kit and I only use it in the field if I absolutely have to clean the bore. It works but the cleaning it does is definitely not as a good as the old school rod. Do not use any multi-piece rods on a rifle that you care about - even the coated ones. At the end of the day you risk damaging your bore or your crown. My advice as much as it may be more costly, is to get the proper rod for each rifle that you own. You can find universal bore guides if you have some common actions but you may have to purchase a bore guide for each of your rifles. A lot of guys cheap out on maintenance kit for their rifles because their is no immediate gratification - there is absolutely nothing ###y about buying a 40-50 dollar cleaning rod but all I can say is that the cost for a good rod pales in comparison to the cost of a good rifle and maintaining the bore.

As a final point, you can see some savings if you match some rods together - i.e. a 17 cal rod can be used in a to 20 cal rifle but you will still need to get a few rods if you have a lot of calibres. For one piece rods I prefer Dewey but there are other brands that may work just as well.
 
I would get at least 2 one-piece Dewey (or similar quality) rods- 1 in .204 and 1 in a larger size to fit your bigger guns. Bore guides are dependent not only on the cleaning rod diameter, but also on the action length and type. Look around for stores that sell good bore guides (again, Dewey is good stuff), and some models are even adjustable to fit multiple actions. Just make sure you have what you need to work with the various actions that you own.
 
Thanks guys, that gives me a starting point at least. Dewey is the brand I'll look at and coated rods the product. Does Dewey make bore guides for its rods? Sounds like they are a separate product line.

I'll most likely end up going thru an 'on-line' retailer since when I asked the local 'gun shop' about 'bore guides' the last time I was there, the answer was "huh?, ain't no boars 'round here so why would you want a guide", kinda thing. Be funny if it wasn't so sad...

Thanks for the input, much appreciated...

Jim
 
Well been searching 'round...and 'round...but still no luck finding this place "WSS" that keeps coming up as a source for cleaning supplies, specifically rods and bore guides.

Tried 'Wolverine' and a couple of other dealers on the board but they don't even carry cleaning supplies...of any type, according to a 'search' of their product line.

So I give up...who the heck is " WSS"?

Jim
 
Dewey makes both a very good cleaning rod and a bore guide that works much better than the MTM plastic ones, which are better than nothing. As mentioned in previous posts get rods that fit the bore and get the correct guide and you will be able too safely and effectively clean the bore.
 
Jakfrost - Have a look at Sinclair International's online catalogue (or better yet, a real paper one) and you'll see the full range of stuff available.
Not saying you have to buy from them, although there is no reason not to....

But you will see the many options available in the brand names that are used by precision shooters.
 
what's wrong with a BORE SNAKE ???????
Click to expand...

Unless you fully clean the bore snake after every use,you keep dragging the same residues through the barrel over and over again.I use a proper rod,and a clean patch every time.
 
Cleaning info...

Well I am learning good stuff just reading the replies to my post...and it looks like I can ditch the bore snakes I bought, and the 3 piece cleaning rod kits...and buy some quality 1 piece rods, which is what I should have done in the first place I suppose :redface:.

But just wondering, what do you guys do when you head away from home base for an extended trip? Kinda hard to pack the one piece rods, or do you shove them in the gun case with the rifles??

Jim
 
But just wondering, what do you guys do when you head away from home base for an extended trip? Kinda hard to pack the one piece rods, or do you shove them in the gun case with the rifles??
Click to expand...

I I am going hunting,I tape the end of the muzzle to keep out debris,and I carry a pull through and patches in case of emergency.I never shoot enough on a big game hunt to require cleaning my rifle.

For a varmint hunt,I keep a rod in the case with the rifle,and carry cleaning supplies.
 
Dewey is the way to go.
Their bore guides are great too.

A can of Wipeout, some patches and you're good to go.
 
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