[KMKeller]

I spend an inordinate time ensuring that the bores of my firearms have zero crud in them, period. I've been using Hoppes bore brushes and an off-brand patch, but believe that I can do better.

Which bore brushes and patches would you folks recommend as the best you can get?

[sm]

Otis
Pro-Shot
Kleenbore

[Smokey Joe]

Suggest you check the Sinclair catalog; they have all-bronze brushes which can't scratch the bore (as a steel-cored bronze brush might manage to do). BTW, IMHO, any old all-cotton patch is just as good as any other all-cotton patch; why spend any more than you have to.

I assume that you already use a bore guide for your cleaning rod.

[ocabj]

Do what Smokey Joe said. Go to their site and get a free print catalog sent to you. Sinclair's has got all the cool stuff for shooting and reloading. They got almost everything that's useful for cleaning.

I get my bronze and nylon brushes from Sinclairs by the dozen. I don't buy nylon bristle brushes that much. I only use it when applying Sweets or some other solvent that's designed to take out copper. I like the brushes that Sinclair's sells because they have brass/bronze cores. All the gunshops and sporting goods retail stores I see always carry bronze bristle brushes, but with steel cores.

And if you haven't yet, get a Dewey rod (or multiples for your various calibers) and a guide rod.

[Smokey Joe]

Thanx, ocabj, for the support. And I in turn second your reccommendation of a Dewey rod. Have had mine for years, one for rifle, one for pistol, and they work just great, and no chance of scratching the bore. I do wipe the rod with a rag after each step in the cleaning process.

I made a "cleaning rod case" out of PVC pipe and end caps, so I can take my rifle Dewey with meÑthey do not disassembleÑwithout worrying about bending it in the car. Otherwise I will resort to a jointed Al rod, but only as a last resort, and I wipe it off like a maniac while using.