So the more I read, it seems that cleaning rods cause a lot of damage/wear to barrels or can. So my question is, can a Bore Snake be used in lieu of a Cleaning rod for field expedient use?
Thanks
Thanks
Barrel cleaning question
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I have never been sold on cleaning with something that can potentially pick up debris that can score a barrel.
Rods made of carbon fiber or stainless work best and if you use a good bore guide you'll be alright. I do have an Otis kit I carry in the field, but it's just for emergencies.
Rods made of carbon fiber or stainless work best and if you use a good bore guide you'll be alright. I do have an Otis kit I carry in the field, but it's just for emergencies.
That's what coated rods are for. I use a coated ball bearing spindle handle rod with a bore guide. You know the saying "cleanliness is next to Godliness". When initially "shooting in" a new barrel a proper cleaning regimen will give a result similar to lapping. Not the same as lapping but you are still working out small imperfections in the metal as it wears in.
I hope I don't start a shitstorm just what I have personally observed with a borescope in my rifles.
I hope I don't start a shitstorm just what I have personally observed with a borescope in my rifles.
Two scools of thought.
1) Use a bare rod as it doesn't pick up debris. But steel on steel causes wear itself.
2) Use a coated rod as the coating is soft wand will not cause wear. However the coating can embed debris and scratch the barrel.
1) Use a bare rod as it doesn't pick up debris. But steel on steel causes wear itself.
2) Use a coated rod as the coating is soft wand will not cause wear. However the coating can embed debris and scratch the barrel.
if you wipe the coated rod after each pass then no debris will embed in it. Also any "debris" will surely be softer than the metal in the barrel kinda like trying to cut a diamond with your fingernail. now if you are using lapping compound or other such abrasive then maybe so.
Embedded means a simple wipe may not get it out. And it could be a metal chip, which is not a lot less hard than the barrel.
There are arguments both ways. And people prefer each way. That is why you can buy coated or uncoated rods. Make your choice.
There are arguments both ways. And people prefer each way. That is why you can buy coated or uncoated rods. Make your choice.
Bud, if you got metal chips coming out of your barrel you got more problems than a rod and a brush will solve.
You seem to be looking for opinions ... cleaning rod wear comes from stroking the rod too many times, poor or no cleaning rod guide, dirty rod, rod too long or otherwise too "whip-y", and just cleaning too much. There is a corollary, brush wear.
Stroking too many times, cleaning too much, and dirty rod are the same issue -- too many cleaning rod passes. No matter how clean the rod, the rod surface will rub on the barrel. If the rod is very soft then stuff embedded in the rod will abrade the surface. If the rod is hard then the rod itself will abrade the barrel. A dirty rod will abrade the barrel. Solution: go slow, wipe the rod after every pass, you are trying to make it clean, you are not trying to wear yourself or the barrel out.
Buy and use a cleaning rod guide -- it keeps the rod aligned with the centerline of the bore and reduces wear.
Rod too long -- means that when you push it, the rod snakes up the barrel with contact points along the way. Embedded crap will wear the barrel.
Brushes -- DO NOT EVER use stainless brushes. They are too hard and they will screw up the barrel. I use nylon brushes, I think that high quality bronze is also okay. Unless you have no other choice, always clean from the breech end. Do not slam the brush out the end of the barrel then jerk it back into the bore. You may damage your crown. A damaged crown will degrades accuracy.
A bore snake is good but you cannot use it to drive a stuck round or dirt out the bore or, in the event of a case head separation, push out the case body. Remember the M16s in early Vietnam service. Grunts attached cleaning rods to the side of the weapon to drive out cases that did not extract in combat. For years this was considered fairly normal behavior. Also, how do you keep the snake clean? Do you carry lube and rags? Where do you carry it?
Stroking too many times, cleaning too much, and dirty rod are the same issue -- too many cleaning rod passes. No matter how clean the rod, the rod surface will rub on the barrel. If the rod is very soft then stuff embedded in the rod will abrade the surface. If the rod is hard then the rod itself will abrade the barrel. A dirty rod will abrade the barrel. Solution: go slow, wipe the rod after every pass, you are trying to make it clean, you are not trying to wear yourself or the barrel out.
Buy and use a cleaning rod guide -- it keeps the rod aligned with the centerline of the bore and reduces wear.
Rod too long -- means that when you push it, the rod snakes up the barrel with contact points along the way. Embedded crap will wear the barrel.
Brushes -- DO NOT EVER use stainless brushes. They are too hard and they will screw up the barrel. I use nylon brushes, I think that high quality bronze is also okay. Unless you have no other choice, always clean from the breech end. Do not slam the brush out the end of the barrel then jerk it back into the bore. You may damage your crown. A damaged crown will degrades accuracy.
A bore snake is good but you cannot use it to drive a stuck round or dirt out the bore or, in the event of a case head separation, push out the case body. Remember the M16s in early Vietnam service. Grunts attached cleaning rods to the side of the weapon to drive out cases that did not extract in combat. For years this was considered fairly normal behavior. Also, how do you keep the snake clean? Do you carry lube and rags? Where do you carry it?
Here's some food for thought:
My rifle has 2,400 rounds fired.
I haven't cleaned my barrel with solvent in over 1,200 rounds.
The rifle shoots sub moa. I shot a .292" five shot group last weekend.
My rifle is a Savage 11 "Hog Hunter", factory barrel and all - not a bench rest gun.
Too many people get carried away with cleaning, in my opinion.
My rifle has 2,400 rounds fired.
I haven't cleaned my barrel with solvent in over 1,200 rounds.
The rifle shoots sub moa. I shot a .292" five shot group last weekend.
My rifle is a Savage 11 "Hog Hunter", factory barrel and all - not a bench rest gun.
Too many people get carried away with cleaning, in my opinion.
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