when cleaning the barrel of a rifle...

[fishblade2]

I have noticed that some people clean their rifle barrels from the muzzle end and some clean from the receiver end. Which is the proper direction?

ALso I have noticed that when cleaning one of my rifles that the brass piece once it comes out of the end of the barrel on the muzzle end it falls down a little and I hit the muzzle end once pulling the rod back through the barrel. Over time how much damage to my barrel and reduction of accuracy would I receive from this and how long would it take for this damage to happen?

Lastly is there a way to avoid this so I can obtain the most of my barrel life and value out of the gun?

thanks for all the help!

 

[Art Eatman]

As near as I can tell, if you use the brass cone, it doesn't matter which way you go. Better to work from the chamber end, but it's not critical.

I hold the cone snugly against the muzzle so that it doesn't fall.

In the FWIW department, in thirty-some years of shooting my pet '06 before I loaned it to Justin, I'd put somewhere around 4,000 rounds through it. The last time I took it to the bench rest, I put three rounds into 0.4 MOA. I don't think I ever hurt it any.

 

[762gunr]

If your using aluminum or carbon fiber rods you can't hurt the crown going from the wrong end.
This was all started because not so long ago cleaning rods were steel and you could ruin a rifle by cleaning it from the end of the barrel.
For those that don't know the crown is the very end of the barrel........the last surface that the bullet engages as it exits the barrel.

 

[newglockguy]

Personally I clean the same way the bullet travels

 

[CraigC]

Personally I clean the same way the bullet travels

If you use a rod, it travels both directions no matter which end you start from.

It is not always practical to clean from the breech end.

As the others said, if you're using brass or aluminum rods, it really doesn't matter.

 

[cfullgraf]

From some folks whose recommendations I respect, suggest pushing or pulling patches and brushes only from the breech to the muzzle to sweep debris from the breech to the muzzle.

Patches or brushes are drawn from the muzzle to the breech.

Makes sense and i try to do it, but not always convenient.

 

[Gregg28]

The bottom line is:

Do not damage the crown.

The crown is where the bullet exits the barrel. As the bullet exits the barrel it has tremendous gas pressure behind it. Ideally the pressure is released evenly all around the bullet, not imparting any uneven forces to upset the bullet's spin or direction. Any upset, no matter how minor, as from a nick or scratch, decreases accuracy. Protect the crown. If the cleaning equipment is soft enough I suppose it does not matter. I always try to clean from the chamber end using soft (aluminum, brass and plastic) equipment.

 

[tahoe2]

If it's a model 99 or 7400, from the muzzle only, I have never had an issue with accuracy cleaning from the muzzle. My bolt actions I clean from the breach. Not that it makes a difference in my opinion, just habit from so many years.

 

[redneck2]

In the world of cleaning rods Dewey is considered best by most bench rest guys from what I understand, so that's what I use. They're coated so they don't gouge the crown. I always start the patch from the breech end if possible and remove it before pulling the rod back thru.

Even on auto loaders and levers, I push the rod thru, then put on the patch if using a slotted patch holder. Keeps from pushing all the crud into the chamber. If you use Wipe-Out or Outers Foam cleaner, you can eliminate a lot of scrubbing and subsequent wear (and time and work). With those it typically only takes 3 or 4 swipes.

 

[briansmithwins]

If possible I prefer to clean from chamber to muzzle. If all you have is a rod some rifles are designed (AK, M1 Garand & Carbine, M14) such that you don't have a straight shot into the bore from the rear.

That's one of the reasons I like pull-thrus. I also like them because I can do a quick wipe down of the bore before or after shooting w/o having to take the rifle down. A little CLP thru the bore while the guns still warm makes for a much easier clean up later.

BSW

 

[dubbleA]

If you use a rod, it travels both directions no matter which end you start from.

It is not always practical to clean from the breech end.

As the others said, if you're using brass or aluminum rods, it really doesn't matter.

I want to add to this as there is a ongoing thread here that I truly believe was the original problem. A rod stuck in a barrel rendering to firearm useless.

When using a bronze or stainless never ever change direction until the brush exits the barrel. Chances are the the rod and brush will stick in the barrel if the direction is changed midstream.

I quit using brushes for the most part and my cleaning of the bore is dictated by accuracy falling off not because grandpa told me to clean every outing.

 

[adelbridge]

If you are really worried about rod damage use foaming bore cleaner and a bore snake. I have have great results with foaming bore cleaner and hosing it out when it is done with brake cleaner. I pass an oiled bore snake thru a few times and I am done.

 

[skidooman603]

I use a Dewey from breech to muzzle where possible. On Garands M1A's and the like..Otis system from beech to muzzle. Anything worth doing is worth doing correctly...

 

[Reloadron]

For my rods I like Tipton Cleaning Rods. They have a smooth ball bearing system. I also like and have Dewey Cleaning Rods. Good rods aren't cheap but neither are good rifles.

Figure it this way. You have an investment in a quality rifle so why use low end stuff to clean it? Invest in good quality rods as well as quality jags and other cleaning accessories.

Ron

 

[2nd 41]

Cannot go wrong with a Bore Snake

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I pull my patches from the muzzle end because I figure the patch will help clean the chamber as it is funnelled down to the barrel diameter.