Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

M

mortarguy5611

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Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 20, 2011
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stearns county Minnesota
#1
Okay guys before I get started here let me just say this. I have already used the search engine to see if anyone has made a post specifically pertaining to this and I did not find the anwser I was looking for.

So here goes. I have read alot about how everyone cleans there bores and I come to the conclusion most use a bore guide and what not. But what im wondering is will using an otis cleaning cable to any damage to the bore of a rifle being that all that would make contact to the bore is brass witch is clearly much softer that steel.

Im just curious because being in the Military I use one on my service weapons as well as my personal weapons and am just curious on all of your point of views.

Money is not the issue here, im not trying to be a tight ass im just trying to figure out if there is any damage caused by the plastic covered steel cabel. Im a big fan of it it aint broke dont fix it so any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance and I hope all is well CONUS. and sorry for the long post.
 
#2
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

I recently bought an Otis kit to put in my pack for hunting in case one of my boys puts his muzzle in the dirt or we get rain or snow in a bore. I don't plan to use it for anything other than that. I have heard that, while plastics are softer than steel, they can be abrasive. If you avoid having the cable drag on the side of the chamber or the start of the bore (not sure how you would be positive of that last item) you'd simply be pulling the patch or brush through and there would be no concern. My understanding of a rod and bore guide is to prevent or minimize contact with the bore by anything other than the patch or brush, but I am curious what others have to say.

I also rarely clean bores compared to the action - that both minimizes the risk of damage but also avoids the need for fouling shots to get my zero back.
 
#3
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

CMP used to sell them (maybe still does) for cleaning semi-autos like the M1 Garand. I doubt they would if it harmed the barrel. That said, I bought a muzzle guide for mine and keep the Otis in my hunting pack in case I get snow or other debris in the barrel. Minimal use would not hurt much. I'm sure if you keep the cable wiped down it should stay free of abrasives. The main thing when using it is watch the muzzle carefully as you pull it through. You don't want it rubbing on any part of the crown.
 
#4
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

I usualy end up cleaning my bore after every range trip unless I know I will be able to get out in the next week or so. I dont get as much range time as I would like. So I do clean thoroughly after each range trip but after reading here I realize I was being a little to anal with my cleaning of the bore. But i also clean the action after each use.
 
#6
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

I use an otis kit on my rifle. I just take caution to make sure I'm not causing excessive wear. I give solvents time to do their job so I have to minimize running stuff down the bore. Rifle still shoots better than I do. Remember you don't want the barrel to be too clean because the copper fills in small imperfections in the barrel. If you clean it all out you will have to shoot until you fill them back in. Then you clean them right back out and never get the best accuracy. Least that's what I've heard.

P.S. not an expert.
 
#9
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

I have one and use it as a field tool only, i haven't used but only time when shooting my AR excessively at range works good have a space cut in my pelican case but don't expect to use it unless the world goes to hell and i have to live in the woods but it is a well designed battle kit as far as im concerned
 
#11
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

With regard to cleaning your bore unless you plan to shoot again soon, you don't need to do a thorough cleaning - a quick swab to remove loose powder fouling and deposit something to resist corrosion, and then a dry swab prior to shooting might be enough.

I like boresnakes for shotguns, but I have the Otis in case I need to be able to push a minor obstruction out while in the field.
 
#12
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

I understand the concept of not cleaning till accuracy falls off, BUT if im not goint to be at the range for 3 weeks to a month im not going to leave all that shit in my bore. I guess im just curious if anyone has any definative proof that an otis cable will do damage to the bore.
 
#14
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

I talked to Otis at ShotShow 2 years ago about having them cover the brass on the ends but I don't think it went anywhere.

When I pull the cable with a patch on it, I don't use the brush, I don't see how the cable would be rubbing on the bore other at the muzzle. I try to take care when it end comes out of the muzzle.

I am willing to bet the most damage to the bore from cleaning (other than a clean rod banging in the bore) is when the patch is pulling what ever crap is down the bore. The patch get dirty at the breach and all that crap is pulled down the barrel like sand paper. This is just a theory.

One could try a test. Take a clean patch and an dirty patch and run them on a piece of soft steel and see what happens. Do this with the Otis cable and see if it can mark the steel.
 
#15
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

Thats a very good point. I am with you in i dont see how it could hard anything unless u are like you said not being careful when in leaves the muzzle. I think im going to continue using my otis cable until proven it does damage. As far as that test goes if someone has time to do this i would love to see the results otherwise when I get home on R$R in november I will have to text it out after a day at the range and try to post some pics. thanks for the info. any more information would be appreciated.
 
#16
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

I'm a big Otis fan personally. The 360 degree wrap method they use with the pull action from breach to muzzle is a very well thought out process and does a great job cleaning the bore.

I have since dispensed with cleaning rods entirely. I do make sure to watch any drag across the crown. With most of my competition rigs having muzzle brakes, dragging across the crown is almost impossible.
 
#17
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

Good post, I was wondering what other people's thoughts on Otis Kits were also.
I think regardless of preferred cleaning tools and method, it all comes down to consistently cleaning the bore the same way every time.

I used Otis Kits to clean all of my long guns in the Marine Corps and I still use an Otis Kit to clean my personal long guns. No crown damage has been noticed.

I keep a dirty bore and my cleaning regiment is the following:
3 wet patches of Hoppes Powder Solvent (let sit for 15 minutes)
4 dry patches
4 wet patches of Hoppes Copper Solvent
1 dry patch
1 wet patch of Hoppes Powder Solvent (to dilute copper solvent)
4 dry patches
I clean every 100 to 150 rounds.

Accuracy is sub MOA past 1000 yards. Wind conditions permitting.
I'm beginning to come to the conclusion that cleaning rods are old school. Just like the old thinking that one needs to break in a new rifle barrel.
 
#18
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

I with you guys I dont even use cleaning rods anymore. Weather it be personal weapons or my service weapons. Other than the M2 I still use cleaning rods in those barrels but that doesnt matter haha. thanks for all the info guys. Its nice hearing others opinions on this topic.
 
#19
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

The military issued cleaning rods actually help clean the bolts more so than the bores (on the AR platforms). Pretty interesting process I just learned about. Other than that.... Otis is a better way to go as far as convenience.
 
#20
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

In my scout sniper platoon and when I went to Scout Sniper school, all we used were the otis coated steel cable. Never harmed our A3's and A5's and anyone who knows the course of fire at the basic course knows it ain't a low round count. Only hitch is, like mentioned previously, the brass at the end can hang up on muzzle brakes.
 
#21
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

Jed M: Cleaning rods for cleaning my M4 bolt is a must for me. much quicker for removing carbon. That and a pack of cloth baby wipes are always in my kit.

mission_fail Thanks for the info. It good to hear from people with some first hand experience using the otis kit on a precision rifle that has to perform. Thanks again.
 
#22
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: patriotoutlaw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Emergency only. Get a Dewey or such for real cleaning, IMO. </div></div>

+1

I have Otis kits for all the calibers I own, and they're great for field cleaning. But they're a slow PITA compared to a nice Dewey coated rod.

 
#24
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

I carry the Otis kit in my range tools for an emergency clean out. I would not normally go to them being at home or a place that the cleaning rod and bore guides are easily accessible.

The Otis kits are very handy if you shoot AR's a lot. They make cleaning the AR15 platform rather painless if you need to do so quickly.
 
#25
Re: Otis Cable for cleaning a rifle bore???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mortarguy5611</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jed M: Cleaning rods for cleaning my M4 bolt is a must for me. much quicker for removing carbon. That and a pack of cloth baby wipes are always in my kit.

mission_fail Thanks for the info. It good to hear from people with some first hand experience using the otis kit on a precision rifle that has to perform. Thanks again. </div></div>

Little off topic but for carbon, use mpro 7. Even hardened carbon buildup just melts off with this and it's non-toxic. Just FYI for anyone that doesn't know about it.
 
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