Bore snake cleaning on new gun?

[mando.199413]

Hey guys just wondering if anyone uses a bore snake when they clean their new gun. My Ruger American came packed with oil and I have a hoppes bore snake that my cousin gave me. Would the brush on the bore snake hurt the barrel since its brand new? I'm just wondering because idk if i should just use a cheap cleaning rod i have but I don't own a bore guide so I don't want to risk cleaning with the rod lol

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[musketjon]

You'll do less damage with a good cleaning rod than with the bore snake. After all, do you use a bore guide with the snake? I mentioned a "good" cleaning rod. Don't use a cheap, multi-piece rod. Spend the $30 or so and get a good, one-piece, coated rod. Make sure it's long enough to go completely through the bore. You don't want to try to reverse the direction of the rod with the brush still in the bore. I don't own a snake. A good rod/brush/jag is infinitely better for cleaning. Are you going to wash the snake when it becomes soiled? With the rod, you change the patch every time the rod is withdrawn so you're not putting dirt back into the bore, as you will with the snake.
Jon

[mando.199413]

You'll do less damage with a good cleaning rod than with the bore snake. After all, do you use a bore guide with the snake? I mentioned a "good" cleaning rod. Don't use a cheap, multi-piece rod. Spend the $30 or so and get a good, one-piece, coated rod. Make sure it's long enough to go completely through the bore. You don't want to try to reverse the direction of the rod with the brush still in the bore.
Jon

Thanks musketjon. Might have to pick up one of those dewey nylon coated rods. I bought a little cheap cleaning kit at my LGS and it came with a cheap and very flimsy rod that I will never use. I can't seem to find a bore guide for a .22 either I might have to check out Amazon

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[TAS]

Although I do occasionally use bore snakes, I would use a cleaning rod & patches on a new gun. The reason being is that a new gun may have heavier oil or coatings in that could gum up a snake, making it difficult to clean. It's also easier to see what kind of gunk you're getting out of that new bore by looking at the patches.

After you've done your initial cleaning and have used the gun, then you can use the rod/patch or bore snake method - whichever you choose. Personally, I prefer using rod & patches but there are times when I'll go for the bore snake, especially if I can't run a rod from the breach side.

[Wordupmybrotha]

I've used a bore snake on all my new pistols and rifles. Lead and brass bullets exit through the barrel at tremendous speed and force. Tens of thousands of rounds are fired through it before the barrel gets worn out. Just from common sense perspective, I don't see how some nylon strings and little bit of brass bristles would damage that? Wouldn't matter if the barrel is new or used.

[Eljay]

The snake is fine. There are two drawbacks to the boresnake that bug old timers.

1. You'll never get the barrel 100% as clean as with the whole rod/patch thing.
2. If you don't clean the snake and you get some grit or something in there you'll be running it through your gun over and over again.

Bore snakes are great for doing a quick cleaning job, especially if you run one through at the range while the gun is still hot. It'll get out a lot of gunk and make traditional cleaning much easier if you're so inclined when you get home. Do make sure you occasionally wash it out in the sink and hang up to dry as per the maker's instructions. You'll probably want a quality rod /brushes / jag / patches eventually. Do get a quality solvent that can sit in the barrel for a bit - it'll really help with either method.

Note that you don't need a bore guide in any case if you're coming in from the chamber end.

[hatidua]

Tens of thousands of rounds are fired through it before the barrel gets worn out. Just from common sense perspective, I don't see how some nylon strings and little bit of brass bristles would damage that? Wouldn't matter if the barrel is new or used.

agreed

[Prowler]

Bore snake works fine...

[croue]

I agree Bore snake works fine and does a great job at cleaning if used right. I still use patches and mops from time to time.
I think a lot of the resistance to boresnakes comes from an 'that's not how we do it around here' stance.
Lots of lore out there about messing up crowns with aluminum and brass rods also. "Friend of a friend" type stories oftentimes. How careless and rough do you have to be to ding hard steel barrels with brass and aluminum? It just doesn't pass the sniff test with me.

C

[musketjon]

Croue,
It's not that aluminum and brass will ding the barrel. Aluminum and brass are soft and easily impregnated by the grit associated with cleaning. They can, over time, abrade the bore if not used carefully, and that entails using a bore guide. A coated, steel rod is the way to go.
Jon

[SB1964]

On a new rifle, I'd soak it & scrub the chamber & bore. Use a patch or whatever to dry it up. Very few .22 match guys cram rods down their bore, be it a new barrel or not, unless it's absolutely necessary. Most in fact use a nylon or plastic snake with nylon bristles & rarely clean the bore. Far too many of you guys ever suggest cleaning the chamber, makes no sense. I use a regular bore snake that I scrub with brake cleaner now & then.

Using a rod, be it coated or not means pushing whatever is in the bore towards the action, makes no sense. Bullets go one way, so does my cleaning.

[croue]

Croue,
It's not that aluminum and brass will ding the barrel. Aluminum and brass are soft and easily impregnated by the grit associated with cleaning. They can, over time, abrade the bore if not used carefully, and that entails using a bore guide. A coated, steel rod is the way to go.
Jon

That could happen I suppose. I think it would take a LOT of neglect and lack of care to do any damage though. Even a minimal amount of care should be enough to prevent any damage from this. But yes, I suppose there are those among us who may embed sand in their cleaning rods and drag is across the rifling excessively enough. I mean, we have to label our coffee with a 'this may be hot' warning so these zombies must exist somewhere.

C

[GreggieBoy]

I've used both. One thing that I do when shooting rimfire rifles is use section of line trimmer. I blunt one end of it into a ball of less diameter than the bore. I sharped the other end a little. Then I use a patch by piercing it then feeding the patch down to the blunt end. Put a little Hoppe's No. 9 on it then feed from the breech end and pull it out to the end of the barrel. Doing this just takes a few minutes and gives the bore a quick cleaning. Works great if you're at the range.

[MarikinaMan]

25 dollar carbon cleaning rod. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Company-...n+cleaning+rod

It is also good practice to wipe down the cleaning rod whether brass, alu or carbon, with alcohol to make sure you are not introducing dirt that may damage the bore.

[Eljay]

I like the Tipton rods a lot.