Is There A Reason We Don't Pull The Cleaning Rod Breech To Muzzle?

[ATTHECROSS]

Hello All -

I have always cleaned the guns with boresnakes and as I learn more I can appreciate the idea of using a one piece rod for deep cleaning as opposed to a boresnake, but what I can't figure out is why the rod is pushed from breech to muzzle rather than pulled from breech to muzzle using a muzzle guide.

Thoughts?

Thanks and have a good one!

 

[milemaker13]

Just better to avoid rod traveling thru the muzzle as much as possible. That's all. Its not the end of the world, as some guns can't be cleaned from the breech. The muzzle protector is good if working from the muzzle end.
My one piece rod has a brass protector cone. I've been wondering if a plastic cone, maybe with a metal sleeve, would be better? Do they make a plastic muzzle guard?

 

[Sam1911]

Probably lots of reasons, probably stemming from the secondary function of a traditional muzzle-loader's ramrod for cleaning the piece.

These days I'd imagine the biggest reason is that a patch jag really can't be pulled, it has to be pushed through. A patch-puller loop can be pulled, but a tight fitting jag that will really force the patch into the grooves to scrub the bore out has to be pushed.

 

[boom boom]

Otis makes a pretty good pull through cable system if you want it and I believe it has a competitor or two. The Brits used pull through cords on their Lee Enfields and I think that the Swiss may have done so as well.

Sam1911 covered what I would say the advantage is of pushing a jag through.

 

[ATTHECROSS]

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated

 

[Varminterror]

Way easier to push the rod through than pull, and there's greater risk of crashing the handle into the crown. You'd also be then pushing the rod without the jag or brush back through the bore, rather than pulling, more likely to catch and mar.

Not sure why there's any real complaint about pushing from breech to muzzle, it works.

 

[oldsnow]

This is how MGM would like you to clean their barrels. Makes scence to me.

https://matchgrademachine.com/barrel-breakin-cleaning-procedures/

 

[chicharrones]

I find pulling is low effort compared to pushing. Pushing can bow a cleaning rod if you don't have a guide for it.

 

[Picher]

Two reasons for pushing from breech to muzzle:
1. The crown is the most important and most fragile portion of the bore. It's important to minimize rod travel over it, especially if the rod or device isn't perfectly aligned.
2. Even though I always push from breech to muzzle, I use a bore guide in the action and limit the amount of rod that exits the muzzle, since it rests on the bottom of the lands and will wear there more than anywhere else. It may not be the metal/plastic that will wear the rifling, but the grit it picks up as it travels the length of the bore.

 

[loose noose]

All my rifles that can't be cleaned from the breech to the muzzle, I use the Otis Cleaning method, or the snake, the others I do use a bore guide going from the breech to the muzzle. Now my muzzle loaders I use a bore guide.