Barrel Cleaning- Bore Snakes

[Rem Jim]

Who uses them :?: pros and cons please ! Thks

Cheers RJ

 

[BK]

I use them in my shotguns. Steel shot loads, in particular, leave a bunch of powder fouling. Don't use 'em in anything rifled, though. No real reason why, other than I don't like dragging a dirty cloth tube through my rifled barrels.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

Love them for shotguns and pistols. I used one in Iraq a couple times a day to keep the sand outta my M4. That's it, I don't use them in my rifles.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I always carry one in my pack in case I decide to plant my muzzle into the ground during a hunt. I use a caliber size smaller than my bore to avoid getting one stuck. Seen one break off inside a barrel once. :shock:

 

[hundmeister]

The problem with a boresnake is you dont know how clean you have your rifle. I have one for 22 cal and have since baught a tipton rod. I dont think boresnakes will ever replace a patch for the articulate shooter.

 

[Rem Jim]

The problem with a boresnake is you dont know how clean you have your rifle. I have one for 22 cal and have since baught a tipton rod. I dont think boresnakes will ever replace a patch for the articulate shooter.

I only bought one( for the H&H) to pack with me while out hunting just in case i get some crap into the barrel - i cover the muzzle end to protect the crown and keep crap out but you never know when you might take a nose dive and push some crap in there ! LOL RJ

Cheers RJ :grin:

 

[runtohunt]

I like them; I have several. I take them in the field with me for the "just in case moment." I also take them when I go target shooting in the mountains in early fall when there is a good two inches of powdery dirt on the ground and everything gets very dusty.
But, I always give my guns a good patch/rod cleaning when I get home.

 

[AzDak42]

Maybe I'm just feeling contrary today, but what the heck...

I love mine, I have one for just about everything but .17

I've found I save a lot of time and patches by running a wet patch down the bore, then having a few passes with a bore snake. By the time I get to running a brush, a whole lot of crap has been removed.

Works for me, YMMV

 

[ridgewalker]

I carry them and use them regularly, but once I get home I do it the old fashioned way with a rod and always find the boresnake didn't get it all out.

I don't see how you guys can push snow or mud out the barrel with a boresnake...magic? I have a 40-50 year old 6 piece brass rod I carry in the field for emergencies like that. I also tape over the bore to help keep it from happening. A bear guide I met on Kodiak used duct tape on his .416 Remington also for broken legs, tying stuff to his pack frame, patching the boat, most everything. I have always used electrical tape.

 

[SJB358]

I have a boresnake for my sidearm and my HK in my kit, they are fast to get dirt and grit out of the tube and most of the crap in them. I don't really use them for my bolt guns as I just clean them with rods as needed. I try to tape my muzzles though.

 

[TRIC]

RJ, I may be a bit "ol school", but I was tought that the only thing to go down the bore of a rifled barrelled firearm was a good bullet and a well oiled patch, and the appropriate solvent only when needed. I was truly confused early in my military career when I would have a crusty drill sergeant "require" me to use a heavy brush on my rifle, because that was the only way it was really clean. Never have used metal on any of my personal guns, and never will

 

[Rem Jim]

RJ, I may be a bit "ol school", but I was tought that the only thing to go down the bore of a rifled barrelled firearm was a good bullet and a well oiled patch, and the appropriate solvent only when needed. I was truly confused early in my military career when I would have a crusty drill sergeant "require" me to use a heavy brush on my rifle, because that was the only way it was really clean. Never have used metal on any of my personal guns, and never will

Hi Tric - you mean to say you never use a bronze brush to clean your barrels ? :shock: I have always brushed my barrels of hunting and bench rest rifles whenever any copper shows in the tube :!: :wink:

Cheers RJ

 

[Oldtrader3]

I just place a piece of electrician's tape over the end of my barrel before I go hunting. I shoot right through it and have never had any accuracy issues having the tape on the muzzle. This way, nothing ever gets into the barrel in the field.

 

[Rem Jim]

I just place a piece of electrician's tape over the end of my barrel before I go hunting. I shoot right through it and have never had any accuracy issues having the tape on the muzzle. This way, nothing ever gets into the barrel in the field.

I use little black rubbers that are made for the end of barrels - keeps crap out and blows off weith the shot ! :grin:

Cheers RJ

 

[Vince]

Yeah, barrel condoms work pretty good.