Bore Snake

[wakerider017]

Got a 12GA Hoppe's Bore Snake at Wally World today.

How do you guys use yours? I am not sure if I should put any cleaning solution on the snake when I run it down...


Here is what I usually do:
1. Brush it
2. Run patch down with cleaning solution
3. Run dry patch down
4. Run lightly oiled patch down

What should I do with the snake?

 

[cash--]

Well, take this for what it's worth....

I dip the end of mine with the bronze brushes in solvent, then run it down the barrel several times.

Then I break out the cleaning rod, brushes, jag's, and patches, and clean the bore again normally. I use the bore snake to basically......knock the chunks off.

 

[eflatminor]

I use snakes with no oil or anything else added because I don't use snakes for anything but a quick cleaning at the range, and then only for pistols and shotguns, never with rifles. When it's time to clean a rifle, whether at the range or at home, I use proper cleaning rods, brushes and solvents.

 

[SGW42]

Here's how I do it.

1a. Use a rod w/brush dipped in solvent (only if it's super dirty or I used rotten ammo)
1b. Patch with solvent (typical)
2. Snake one or two times through
3. More patches with solvent until they come out clean
4. Dry patch
5. Lightly lubed patch

Basically I just use the Snake to simplify and cut down on the amount of patches I use in step 3. In that manner it exceeds very well. With the amount of dust bunnies, cat hair and whathaveyou that resides where I live, I sometimes run the Snake through the bore once before I go to the range too.

 

[Dave R]

I just spritz a little CLP or equivalent on the end of the 'snake, and pull it through 2-3 times. That's all a shotgun bore needs during hunting season, or when you know you'll be shooting again before too long.

After hunting season, or if I'm not going to shoot for a while, I'll give it a proper cleaning.

As Dave McCracken said, most people over-clean shotgun bores, and under-clean shotgun actions.

 

[elmerfudd]

The snakes are pretty good for getting the corrosive residue out that surplus ammo leaves behind. Just get the whole thing sopping wet, run it through a couple of times, rinse it out and run it through a couple more times. Afterwards, clean as usual.

I don't think the snakes do a very good job of cleaning, but they will hold a lot more soapy water than a patch.

 

[dispatch55126]

For shotguns, I prefer the long pipe cleaner type though you can use it dry. There isn't any need to run solvent through a smoothbore.

If your using rifled slugs, get a tornado brush. Its a steel wound brush that is the best thing out there to clean the lead smears.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

I use boresnakes to get any residue I missed, excess oil/CLP, or patches that got torn up in the rifling.

 

[LaEscopeta]

I just spritz a little CLP or equivalent on the end of the 'snake, and pull it through 2-3 times. That's all a shotgun bore needs during hunting season, or when you know you'll be shooting again before too long.

After hunting season, or if I'm not going to shoot for a while, I'll give it a proper cleaning.

+1. The clay range here does not allow gun cleaning in the club house, but I've read (on this forum?) it is easier to clean a barrell when warm. So I run the bore snake through it a few of times in the parking lot just before I put everyting in the trunk. Every couple of months I'll strip it to clean the bolt, etc and (lightly) oil the moving parts.

So far this has worked, but I havn't been shooting that long.

 

[Seafarer12]

I dip the brush end in some solvent and run it through. I only use one on my .22's though. I will probably get one for my .357 leveraction though. I just use it to knock the chunks off and do a quick clean till I can get to it later.

 

[nosliw]

since my 10/22 doesn't let me run a rod through the breech, i'm stuck with a boresnake.

what i do it shoot so CLP down the bore, let it sit for a little, then run the snake through 3-5 times.

that's honestly all the more intensive borecleaning gets on that rifle. shoots the heads off daisys too.

on my shotgun i use one of those long fluffy rods. i figure it's good enough because the more you shoot the boomstick the slicker it gets and the easier it is to clean.

 

[Sulaco]

I use them on all of my guns except my bolt gun. I use a bore guide, a good quality rod and good cleaning tips on it. For everything else, they work fine. It is easier to use a short pistol rod on small revolvers though.

 

[BorisDaBastid]

I've used both the .223 and 7.62 sizes personally, and I'll tell ya, nothing beats the boresnake for quick field cleaning. A bit of CLP on the end right before the brush, 2-5 pulls through, and my M-4's barrel passes inspection.

I keep the 7.62 snake in my Brad's turret to quickly clean my 240C in between runs down the range during gunnery. My Iraq cleaning kit is both of the boresnakes, a water bottle of CLP, and a shaving brush. Never had a malfunction with this kit.

I found the easiest way to keep my snakes clean is to toss them into 2 separate socks, tie the ends of said socks, and wash them in the machine on hot, then air dry.

 

[highorder]

For shotguns, I prefer the long pipe cleaner type though you can use it dry.

all hail the Tico-tools!

as for cleaning a 10/22 from the breech, there are a few ways to properly locate the drilled hole in the back of the receiver. you just need to convince yourself to drill the hole.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

put some break-free about 3 inches behind the brush on the bore snake
run it trough x2

 

[MaterDei]

You guys are much more thorough than I am. I run the snake through 2 or 3 times and unless I'm shooting corrosive ammo I'm done!