headbangerJD
New member
I don't mind cleaning my guns, but the most time consuming part is cleaning the bore. Is there a faster way to clean a bore than by pushing endless amounts of clean patchese through the barrel?
Is there a faster way to clean a bore
- Thread starter headbangerJD
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azredhawk44
Moderator
Friends don't let friends buy bore snakes.
Bore snakes are a good field-expedient way to get your barrel "cleaner." Note, I didn't say "clean." Carrying one while out hunting is okay, but it should not be part of your home cleaning methodology, IMO.
If you want your bore clean, get a good cleaning rod (handguns are cleaned just fine with a cheap aluminum sectional rod) and a bronze bristle brush of appropriate size to your caliber. Wet it with a cleaning solvent, push the brush completely through the chamber and bore until it fully exits the barrel, then all the way back. Do not change directions while the bristles are inside the rifling.
Tenacious lead deposits can be removed in 15-30 seconds of vigorous cleaning this way. Copper deposits disappear even quicker.
I shoot cast lead bullets every week, about 100-150 rounds. I get lead deposits in my bore. I clean my gun in all of about 5 minutes and it is not a big deal at all.
I have used bore snakes, and I still own several (.45, .38/9mm, .30 and .22 sizes). The rifle ones go to the range in my rifle bag(s), but the handgun ones never get used any more. They're just not worth it.
Bore snakes are a good field-expedient way to get your barrel "cleaner." Note, I didn't say "clean." Carrying one while out hunting is okay, but it should not be part of your home cleaning methodology, IMO.
If you want your bore clean, get a good cleaning rod (handguns are cleaned just fine with a cheap aluminum sectional rod) and a bronze bristle brush of appropriate size to your caliber. Wet it with a cleaning solvent, push the brush completely through the chamber and bore until it fully exits the barrel, then all the way back. Do not change directions while the bristles are inside the rifling.
Tenacious lead deposits can be removed in 15-30 seconds of vigorous cleaning this way. Copper deposits disappear even quicker.
I shoot cast lead bullets every week, about 100-150 rounds. I get lead deposits in my bore. I clean my gun in all of about 5 minutes and it is not a big deal at all.
I have used bore snakes, and I still own several (.45, .38/9mm, .30 and .22 sizes). The rifle ones go to the range in my rifle bag(s), but the handgun ones never get used any more. They're just not worth it.
Edward429451
Moderator
Boresnakes are ok but they shouldn't be used instead of a rod & brush but in addition to a rod & brush. I was cutting my own wide long patches out of old T shirts and fishing it through the barrel and step on one end and hold the other end up and work the barrel up and down. Prolly saves the fifty patches.
CLP
brushes
bore snake
patches & clp again if needed
patches and jag
oil
CLP
brushes
bore snake
patches & clp again if needed
patches and jag
oil
It depends on what clean means? When I come back from the range and my pistols bores have a fair amount of lead, no amount of patches will work. Instead, I use Chore Boy, a copper scrub pad, and take several strands of that off and wrap around my bore brush. A few strokes and the lead is gone. Make sure you get the real copper ones and not the copper coated steel ones. 
oneounceload
Moderator
brake cleaner will get the junk out - spray in the barrel, let sit a minute or so, run a few patches through then an oil patch and you're done
seeker_two
New member
Here's what I do with my rifle & pistols...
Get some foaming bore cleaner. Take a piece of paper towel and plug the muzzle tightly. Fill the barrel with foam until it can't hold any more. Wait 10-20 minutes. Then use your patches as normal, pushing out the plug. You'll see that you'll need a lot fewer to get it clean.
Get some foaming bore cleaner. Take a piece of paper towel and plug the muzzle tightly. Fill the barrel with foam until it can't hold any more. Wait 10-20 minutes. Then use your patches as normal, pushing out the plug. You'll see that you'll need a lot fewer to get it clean.
+1 for the Boresnake; Viper....
I've owned 2 excellent Boresnakes for my .40 & 9mm/.357/.38spl handguns. Look for Hoppes new Viper line of Boresnakes. It's an improved version with better cleaning material.
They make great rifle/shotgun barrel products too. I've seen cleaning rods in a few firearm/outdoor catalogs; www.Cabelas.com www.natchezss.com www.Brownells.com www.Cheaperthandirt.com www.PoliceHQ.com .
As for cleaning products, Hoppes #9, Butch's Bore Shine, Gunzilla, Eezox, MPro7, Weaponshield, or Ballistol would all get the carbon, grit, gunpowder, etc out of the firearm barrel.
I've owned 2 excellent Boresnakes for my .40 & 9mm/.357/.38spl handguns. Look for Hoppes new Viper line of Boresnakes. It's an improved version with better cleaning material.
They make great rifle/shotgun barrel products too.
I've seen cleaning rods in a few firearm/outdoor catalogs; www.Cabelas.com www.natchezss.com www.Brownells.com www.Cheaperthandirt.com www.PoliceHQ.com .As for cleaning products, Hoppes #9, Butch's Bore Shine, Gunzilla, Eezox, MPro7, Weaponshield, or Ballistol would all get the carbon, grit, gunpowder, etc out of the firearm barrel.
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" Do not change directions while the bristles are inside the rifling".
People always advise this. Why? The copper cannot harm the barrel. It may wreak havoc on your copper bristles but that's about it. When I have heavy fouling I do this on a regular basis. Never had a problem.
People always advise this. Why? The copper cannot harm the barrel. It may wreak havoc on your copper bristles but that's about it. When I have heavy fouling I do this on a regular basis. Never had a problem.
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Edward429451
Moderator
I do not know for positive but I surmise that not changing direction in the bore with your bristle brush is to save harm to your bore from getting it stuck and possibly dragging the steel twisty that holds the bristles into contact with your bore and damaging it. Makes sense. I do not change direction in the bore with new brushes but older ones which have lost a little diameter I do.
orionengnr
New member
I shoot a lot of lead bullets. The Chore Boy works well to remove lead. Even without it, a well-wetted brush pushed through a few times, and the bore left wet with solvent for a few minutes or so (while I clean the frame and slide) followed by two patches generally does the trick.
I bought a Lewis Lead remover but have not yet tried it. The Chore Boy works that well.
I bought a Lewis Lead remover but have not yet tried it. The Chore Boy works that well.
This isnt an easy question, as there seems to be a lot of different ideas as to what "clean" is. Some actually "clean" their guns, while others "think" they clean their guns.
The only way I know to clean them, is to clean them. There is no "quick" way. If the patches dont come out "mostly" white, then the gun isnt clean. Its time and work, and I've yet to find a shortcut. I figure about two hours for the two pistols I usually shoot each week. Revolvers and rifles are usually a little longer.
I personally dont see the Bore Snake doing a good job. For a quick, get the loose crud out, OK, maybe, but its not getting the gun clean.
The only way I know to clean them, is to clean them. There is no "quick" way. If the patches dont come out "mostly" white, then the gun isnt clean. Its time and work, and I've yet to find a shortcut. I figure about two hours for the two pistols I usually shoot each week. Revolvers and rifles are usually a little longer.
I personally dont see the Bore Snake doing a good job. For a quick, get the loose crud out, OK, maybe, but its not getting the gun clean.