Cleaning Rods? Aluminum, Brass, SS, Carbon Fiber, Coated Steel?

[BobABQ]

I Have used Dewey, Pro-shot and Montana X-Treme cleaning rods, both coated and uncharted steel and I really like the coated rods from Montana X-Treme.

I really like the handle on Dewey too; nice and easy to get a grip but it;s larger diameter can be a problem when cleaning from the action and trying to clear the top of the stock.

I also highly recommend a bore guide.

 

[DoubleMag]

My 1 pc Dewey has served me well for 35 years and I've seen no reason to change now.

Add a good bore guide, and you will never need anything else

 

[lysanderxiii]

Plastic coated cable pull through.

USGI steel cleaning rod for emergency use and clearing struck cases.

One piece brass is also good.

Just remember: pull, don't push.

 

[Deanimator]

I just bought a couple of Boosteady cleaning kits, one for 5.56mm, the other for 12ga.

I have a good quality .224 rod, but I was recently forced to move due to a fire and am still looking for and unpacking things.

Rather than wait to dig through twenty years of crap, I elected to buy a brass sectional kit. It's mostly for field use in my butt pack. If I'm cleaning my AR with that kit, it's probably because we're in full Freikorps vs. Spartacists mode and I've just been in a gunfight. Otherwise, I'll use my Dewey.

I bought the 12ga. kit because for the first time in twenty years, I'm living some place where a shotgun is a viable defensive tool. The 12ga. is a backup to the AR. I don't shoot enough shotgun to justify a Dewey quality rod. Like the AR kit, it's mostly reserved for my butt pack, and those rare occasions when I shoot a shotgun (like my function testing last week). The rod sections tend to unwind in use, but for my current detail strip and clean, it's more than good enough.

 

[vintovka]

Should add i also made some very close fitting brass rods for knocking tight squibs out. Also made a brass .22 rod with a simple L bend as the handle and a small divot to hold patch. Was a 1/4" brazing rod to start with and was born after the tip broke off in the last factory rod leaving no time to drill and chase threads. Sounds crude, but now has done more time on .22s than any in the shop. both the steady and follower rests plus a steady hand are needed to do long slender lathe work.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I use a one piece brass rod in my .22 benchrest guns. Periodically, I polish them with metal polish to keep them slick.

 

[doubleh]

I have pistol cleaning rods I made from brazing rod. It's tough because it's bronze. I have a short/long barrel set for centerfire made from 1/4" rod and the same for 22 caliber made from 3/16" rod. Both are tapped to accept 8-32 threaded brushes and jags and are epoxied into handles made from 3/4 or 7/8 inch dowel rod.

 

[Hokkmike]

Since I shoot mostly .223 and .22LR these days when it comes to long guns, I would like to buy a nice cleaning rod. What do you all recommend?

I've always used aluminum or brass screw-together rods. Given the amount of shooting I do, I'm beginning to wonder if I should try something different? Coated steel? Carbon fiber?

What about makers? Hoppe's, Tipton, Dewey, Birchwood Casey, Shooter's Choice, Raiseek, TurrMan, etc?

Thank you.

I have a set of cables and snakes that can be pulled through from the breech end. I use Hoppes and CLP. Also have some Remoil spray for wiping.

 

[Aim1]

I like my Tipton Carbon Fiber ones.

Also, not having to assemble multi-piece rods is nice!!!

 

[ms6852]

I seldom use rods but own Tipton and Dewey rods. I keep them in case a cartridge gets stuck. I like using a boresnake or weed eater line.

 

[Deanimator]

Just found an old sectional 12ga. rod and handle. It's much more conducive to a good cleaning that the compact kit I just bought. I'll reserve the new kit for field use and keep this one together. I need to work out a way of keeping all of the parts together since the original packaging is long gone.