Question about bore-brushes

[Generator]

I need a new bore brush for my 12ga (smooth bore 18" and 30") and saw Hoppes makes a stainless steel one. I've always been under the impression that you shouldn't use stainless, or any steel, to clean a barrel.

It seems like a good design, but I dont want any long term issues from using steel.

Is a steel bore brush a bad idea?
Should I just get another brass one?

Thanks for your input.

[Turo]

I don't think I've ever used a metal brush in a smooth bore shotgun... It's always the cotton covered wooden rods. Not that they can't take it, I've just never had stuff caked on hard enough to require even brass brushes.

If you haven't gotten it already, just get a cloth-type brush, they work just as well. If you already have a brass brush, then use that.

[BayAreaShooter]

I would stay away form steel brushes. Thats just my personal preference. If you can shoot steel out of your shotgun without worry a steel brush "should" not do damage but I just prefer not to. I would suggest a nylon or brass brush.

[bohoki]

my shotguns never really get more dirty than a balled up paper towel and a wood dowel wouldn't clean

[repubconserv]

@ OP, As others have said, you usually don't need to use a brush to clean your shotgun. If you prefer using a brush after a few hundred rounds in one day though.... more power to you, I do too.

I would stay away form steel brushes. Thats just my personal preference. If you can shoot steel out of your shotgun without worry a steel brush "should" not do damage but I just prefer not to. I would suggest a nylon or brass brush.

Steel Shot doesn't hurt your barrel, I really don't think you're going to hurt it with a steel brush.

[mjsweims]

Usually the steel brushes are made from a stainless steel that is softer than good modern barrel steel. I've used "Tornado" brushes with very good results after a couple of days of trap (3-400 rounds) and this is mostly on older 50+ years shotguns. The problem cleaning in shotguns is usually the plastic residue from the wads, and some brands are more difficult than others.
I've never used them on rifled bores.

[aippi]

There is no rifleing to lead up so a brush is not needed. I use a wooden dowel wrapped with 00 or 000 steel wool. I run it through the barrel dry. If storing the weapon you can spray some oil in there then like Bohoki said run a wad of paper towel through with the other end of the same wooden dowel. This removes the excess oil but leave a light coat in the barrel for storage. You can see these home made rigs at www.aiptactical.com and click on the red link "Install and Cleaning". That is all you need.

[wjc]

I have a brass brush and a nylon brush for my shotguns. If I've shot a lot of
ammo I'll run the brass brush through once. I'll use the nylon for less gunk...then it's solvent and t-shirt time.

[Turo]

There is no rifleing to lead up so a brush is not needed. I use a wooden dowel wrapped with 00 or 000 steel wool. I run it through the barrel dry.

A brush is not needed so you use an abrasive specifically made to scour steel surfaces? I'm not judging, you can do what you want to your gun, but I don't think this is a good idea at all.

[destiny plower]

plow

well ur best bet is to lube it up pretty good then go to town

destiny plower

[USMC VET]

I use a brass one periodically, but really a good old shirt run through with a wooden dowel works.

[aippi]

Truo - if you understand what you read " I said a brush is not needed" and at no time did I say a steel brush can hurt a barrel. Please learn to read slow so you can understand what you read. Also, if you have some misconception that steel wool is harder then the steel in any shotgun barrel then do some research. You wil find that it is not and has no harmful effect on the inside a shotgun barrel.

I have a complete knowledge of these weapons and my method is the one of the best for cleaning a barrel and keeping it polished. And it is not just what I do to "MY" gun it is what I do hundreds of guns a year for clients, Law Enforcement Agencies and to every AI&P Tactical that leaves my shop.

If you don't want to do a simple inexpensive cleaning method that keeps your chamber and bore looking factory new for years, then don't. Any one with any knowledge of a smooth bore barrel will not share your "Not a good idea" opinion. It is a good idea, a good method and being used by thousands of gun owners who know not to waste money on expensive cleaning mess for a "Smooth bore barrel". And in no way will steel wool "Scour" ( your word) the inside of a shotgun barrel as you suggest.

Try it and if you don't like the result I will post your opinion on my web site on the Install and cleaning page.

[bucktooth7]

I shoot some trap and skeet and after firing one or two hundred rounds it's time for me to call it a day. Cleaning my O/U comes next and I start with pulling a bore snake 5 times through each barrel. It seems to work well as each barrel looks quite clean. A dose of Shooters Choice on a tee shirt patch will reveal a ton of crap that the snake left behind. A bronze or brass brush, not sure what it is, turns up a bunch more. I believe it is the residue from the wads. You can't see it but it is there. Point is that it might look like a mirror but it's dirty as sin.

[Thefeeder]

I shoot some trap and skeet and after firing one or two hundred rounds it's time for me to call it a day. Cleaning my O/U comes next and I start with pulling a bore snake 5 times through each barrel. It seems to work well as each barrel looks quite clean. A dose of Shooters Choice on a tee shirt patch will reveal a ton of crap that the snake left behind. A bronze or brass brush, not sure what it is, turns up a bunch more. I believe it is the residue from the wads. You can't see it but it is there. Point is that it might look like a mirror but it's dirty as sin.

Winner! +1

[BigDogatPlay]

I use a 12 gauge bronze brush mainly on the choke tubes to clean the gunked up plastic left by the wads, and then a quick pass with a 10 gauge bronze brush in the chamber... mainly to ensure I get the fouling out of the forcing cone. Many of my guns have three inch chambers but I shoot mainly 2.75 inch shells so I want to ensure I am not leaving a bunch of fouling behind the actual chamber mouth. I lightly polished the chambers on all my guns one time with the aippi method, which works like a champ, and I've never had to do it again. If the barrel shows signs of plastic fouling a pass or two with the bronze brush loosens it right up.

A pass through the bore with a solvent soaked patch, a few passes with additional patches until clean, then a very light coat of CLP in the bore and I'm done.

If more people knew how easy shotguns were to clean, they'd shoot them more often.