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11/4/2010 8:43:28 AM EDT
Over the years I have cringed every time I put a cleaning rod down a barrel of one of my guns.  About 12 months ago I picked up a couple bore snakes and have been using them.  To be honest, I'll use the snake right away (keep one with me in my gear bag) a few times on the barrel after I shoot, inspect the barrel, and am done with it.  I'll spend some time on the BCG when I get home but usually don't go back and mess with the barrel.  Is this just asking for trouble?  If you look at the surface area of a bore snake it is about 20x that of a patch, and the built in brass brissles seam to do a good job keeping the flutes clean.  Just to note...I also but a little oil on the end of the snake (the last part to make contact) on my last "pull through".  Just curious if others are doing this and what your thoughts are on the subject...
11/4/2010 9:04:43 AM EDT
[#1]
I'd also like to know what other do, solvent wise, as the packaging gives no idea.  I put some solvent at the front, near the bristles.  I think running a patch with solvent followed byt he snake would work, but defeats some of the purpose of the snake (easy/portable don't need a rod/patches).

I must admit I've been disappointed when I pull the snake through 4-5 times and THEN run a patch how much dirt/lead there still seems to be in the barrel (although I've never been able to get a patch to come out still white no matter how many times I clean barrels).  It certainly removes power residue (looking through the barrel they look spotless).

I certainly think they are the easiest/most convient way to clean.

Only negative I hear on them (and I'm sure someone will post it) is that they can get dirty, but they are meant to be washed periodically.  If you re-use the same patch over and over it will be dirty and a problem but the bore snake is washable (so I really hope nobody posts that "dirty" thing....)
11/4/2010 4:16:48 PM EDT
[#2]
I've always used a bore snake. I shoot CLP down the barrel, snake it through, and put oil on the tail on the last run. I also wash my bore snake every 3rd use. Haven't had any problems myself so I don't think I'm doing anything wrong at least =)
11/4/2010 4:41:10 PM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
I'd also like to know what other do, solvent wise, as the packaging gives no idea.  I put some solvent at the front, near the bristles.  I think running a patch with solvent followed byt he snake would work, but defeats some of the purpose of the snake (easy/portable don't need a rod/patches).

I must admit I've been disappointed when I pull the snake through 4-5 times and THEN run a patch how much dirt/lead there still seems to be in the barrel (although I've never been able to get a patch to come out still white no matter how many times I clean barrels).  It certainly removes power residue (looking through the barrel they look spotless).

I certainly think they are the easiest/most convient way to clean.

Only negative I hear on them (and I'm sure someone will post it) is that they can get dirty, but they are meant to be washed periodically.  If you re-use the same patch over and over it will be dirty and a problem but the bore snake is washable (so I really hope nobody posts that "dirty" thing....)


You can get most bores spotless, but the cleaning solvents will still continue to leach out deep set carbon and grime. It's perfectly normal.
11/4/2010 4:43:24 PM EDT
[#4]
I just run mine through dry 3 times. Been doing it for over 2 years  now & no problems what ever.  When the snake gets dirty in my opinion, I wash it.
11/9/2010 9:35:00 AM EDT
[#5]
I like Bore Snakes, and use them quite a lot. I just run them dry a couple of times,then either a little EWL and that's it.If I think I need to work on the copper/lead a little more then after the dry run use a little bore cleaner and then run the snake couple more times. So far so good....as always YMMV...
11/9/2010 10:41:44 AM EDT
[#6]
Love my Boresnakes, I have one in each caliber.

My only nitpick, is I wish they'd put a little more aggressive copper bristle on the front end so I can truly "clean" the bore.

Great for a final pass though, and emergency clean.
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