Can a bore snake be just as effective as a rod for cleaning the rifle bore? If so, which type/brand works best? I use bore snakes but only when I don't have easy access to my cleaning kit, like when I'm shooting prairie dogs for 3-4 days. So,. guys do the cable systems work OK?
Best bore snake??
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troy fairweather
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Really with out solvent there no better or no worse. Even a rod with a brass brush and oil does not remove much. There good to have in the field to clean out mud or snow when accidents happen, after you find a stick to fit down the bore. I tape my muzzles.
The cable ones are pricy
The cable ones are pricy
I like the Hoppes Viper. When using it on 223/556, the small diameter 'string' certainly makes a difference in feeding it through the barrel. Plain old Hoppes (instead of the latest copper-killers) may not get the barrel 'copper-free' but it is a little more 'brush-friendly'.
Obturation
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I just tie a wad of copper choreboy to a length of paracord and pull it through. Works just fine for me. Put oil or solvent on the choreboy if your feeling fancy.
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John Joseph
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What is it you're trying to clean out of the rifling, copper or lead?
ColtPythonElite
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You can buy a muzzle bore guide.
Learn something new every day. Didn't even know there was such a thing as a muzzle bore guide. Thanks for the tip.
troy fairweather
Member
I know guys don't like multi peace cleaning rods, I have a nice stainless steel one I really like. More is marked Remington, but has a good bearing in the handle has a useful bore guide to. The sections fit so good together you would think it's a one pease.
I would like to know who made it, I'd put together some field cleaning kits
I would like to know who made it, I'd put together some field cleaning kits
sparkyv
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No, at least not for me. I use the snakes and a toothbrush at the range for a quick, coarse, dry clean out for extended range sessions, especially for the 22LRs.
nettlle
Contributing Member
I have never tried a bore snake. They appear to be more expensive than the bore brushes and patches that I use and someone would have to explain to me why to pay the extra for them.
And just by looking at a bore snake I feel a better job could be done with brushes and patches at less cost. But then again I have never used a bore snake and may not have a clue about what I am talking about.
And just by looking at a bore snake I feel a better job could be done with brushes and patches at less cost. But then again I have never used a bore snake and may not have a clue about what I am talking about.
ColtPythonElite
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I occasionally use a bore snake to knock the crud out of a .22 rifle. A bore snake was all I used in my duty rifle. They are about all I use in a shotgun....They probably wouldn't be my first choice for a benchrest gun.
Obturation
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When I was young and broke I used a boot lace with knot in it to clean a 22 bore.
ColtPythonElite
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I use a piece of weedeater line with a knot burned up on the end. I thread a patch on it.
I use a bore snake fairly often at the target range when testing different hand loads. I drag it thru before each 5-shot group. My intent is to make the condition of the barrel the same for each load. Don't know for sure that it makes much difference. But, it just makes intuitive sense to me.
nettlle
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I have used a brush and rod at a rifle range. That made intuitive sense to me also. Does the bore snake do a better job than a brush and patches?
ColtPythonElite
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As far as rifles go particularly ones shooting jacketed bullets, I don't believe a bore snake is intended to replace patches, a brush and solvent
RavenTai
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bore snakes do not get anything cleaner than a rod and patch, but they do get the bore clean enough very quickly, usually 2 passes and you are done. they are compact and easy to store, I use them for pistols, especially nice for revolvers where you can clean in the direction of bullet travel unlike a rod, I used the original bore snakes for years, but I never liked the brush portion, some folks pull out the brush bristles with pliers, the originals also had a tendency to break, and if in a rifle a broken bore snake can be very difficult to remove, I have been switching over to the brushless and steel cable cored Otis rip cord, solves a lot of the issues. they are just nicer than the originals.
you should store your snakes in a zip lock and make sure they never touch sand dirt or other grit, it will get in the snake and make it abrasive, also need to be sure to perfectly center the part you are puling in the bore to make sure it is not riding on the crown. they also have to be cleaned or replaced after a while.
For me, the key is to use two bore snakes. One wet and one dry. I soak the bore first. If it's a shotgun, I soak it with MPro 7 -- just spray it directly in the breech (never contacting wood). A rifle of mine is likely only to have 50 rounds of copper-jacketed through it between cleanings so it may just get soaked in Breakfree (doesn't remove oil like Mpro 7). When the cleaner is running out the muzzle, I soak the first boresnake (Hoppes Viper) with the same cleaner. I don't totally saturate it, but it's wet. I don't want the cleaner to gush out when it's squeezed into the bore, but it will be wet going through it. A few passes and it should be fairly clean. Then I take the dry bore snake and run it through. If I used MPro 7, the dry bore snake will have some oil on the end to coat the bore, especially if I'm putting the gun away.
The wet bore snake gets most of the fouling and has to be changed more often, but all my handloads are very clean shooting and they last me plenty long. I have not used a copper solvent on a long gun yet. I suppose I could use it with a bore snake. Isn't the ammonia actually a gas? I believe it's a gas that's dissolved in the liquid. So if the snake is soaked in copper solvent, the ammonia should all evaporate and go away after a while. I suppose the other thing I could do would be to use a third boresnake for copper solvent so I'm not mixing a lot of chemicals.
I have a bore snake for my handgun(s) but I prefer to use a collection of brass Dewey rods. For one handgun, I have a half dozen of them with different attachments (chamber brush, bore brush, jag, loop, mop, etc.) That way I don't have to change attachments. With the short barrel and revolver chambers, the rod is faster than threading a boresnake through each one.
The wet bore snake gets most of the fouling and has to be changed more often, but all my handloads are very clean shooting and they last me plenty long. I have not used a copper solvent on a long gun yet. I suppose I could use it with a bore snake. Isn't the ammonia actually a gas? I believe it's a gas that's dissolved in the liquid. So if the snake is soaked in copper solvent, the ammonia should all evaporate and go away after a while. I suppose the other thing I could do would be to use a third boresnake for copper solvent so I'm not mixing a lot of chemicals.
I have a bore snake for my handgun(s) but I prefer to use a collection of brass Dewey rods. For one handgun, I have a half dozen of them with different attachments (chamber brush, bore brush, jag, loop, mop, etc.) That way I don't have to change attachments. With the short barrel and revolver chambers, the rod is faster than threading a boresnake through each one.
herrwalther
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I have 2 bore snakes in 12ga and .223. They work just as good as rod and patches. Often they are easier to pack into gear for fast cleanings. Or you don't feel like pulling out a larger cleaning kit where your rods/jags/patches/brushes are. The 223 is small enough to fit in the vertical fore grip of my AR, if I wanted to put it there.
Best snake, IMO, is the Ripcord.
I have both Ripcords and Hoppe snakes depending on what I picked up when.
I think snakes in general are a nice quick-clean method but don't entirely replace rod, brush and patch.
I use the Otis pull-through brush & patch kit for my 10/22. Not bad.
I do like the one wet, one dry idea re snakes. Also agree they occasionally need to be cleaned and even replaced.
I have both Ripcords and Hoppe snakes depending on what I picked up when.
I think snakes in general are a nice quick-clean method but don't entirely replace rod, brush and patch.
I use the Otis pull-through brush & patch kit for my 10/22. Not bad.
I do like the one wet, one dry idea re snakes. Also agree they occasionally need to be cleaned and even replaced.
If you haven't tried it, you might want to consider giving Pro Shot's Copper Solvent IV a try. Pretty decent product, IMO, and no ammonia.
I don't shoot a lot of centerfire rfiles, but I do have a .223 and also do like to deeply clean my .22LRs every now and then. It's been doing a decent job for me of late, although I'd add the bottle I'm on at the moment is my first try of this product.
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