Cleaning with jags

[4Low]

Forgive me for this seemingly newbish question, but this one has me scratching my head. Traditionally, I've cleaned with patches pushed through the "loop style" tip at the end of the rod. I recently purchased a jag tip and loaded with a thin, small patch I find it impossible to get the jag all the way through the barrel. It goes about 6" past the chamber and gets jammed.

Specifically, I'm using a Tipton 30 cal jag in my .303 Enfield. Should I be using a smaller diameter jag? I'd like to use the jag and patches to clean out my 30-06 as well, but if the jag isn't fitting in the Enfield's .311-.312 bore, it sure as hell ain't gonna fit in the '06's .308 bore.

I'm probably missing something obvious here, but can't for the life of me figure out what it is.

 

[janobles14]

make sure you arent using too much patch. it can bind up when the barrel begins to narrow. all you need is enough cloth to contact the surfaces.

 

[4Low]

That was my first thought and led me to cut the patch down to approx. 1" x 1". I got a little further down the barrel but it still jams eventually.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

Too big a patch has no place to go if it hangs out over the rear of the reduced diameter behind the full caliber jag tip.

A .30 jag fits very tightly, just as designed, in a .30 cal. barrel, if the patch isn't hanging out over the full diameter joint section.

You should be able to use a .311" .312" jag in your Enfield I would think.

Curious what you are running into 6" inside the barrel though?

You must have a lot of throat erosion for quite a ways in front of the chamber!

rcmodel

 

[rcmodel]

PS: Could be you have a tremendous amount of jacket fouling in the barrel, which would reduce the bore diameter as you indicate.

I would get some Copper Solvent bore cleaner, and give it a go with that.

Might be very surprised what comes out of there!

rcmodel

 

[4Low]

Funny you should mention copper solvent...that's what I've been trying to push down the barrel with the jag and patch. A 30 cal bore brush is snug but fits completely down the barrel, but there may be some serious fouling as you said, rcmodel.

Thanks fellas! Hopefully I get some bench time this evening after work to take another crack at it.

 

[cuervo]

Try wrapping a patch around a bore brush and use that. I prefer those over the patch holder or jags. Use a nylon brush if using copper solvent.