Recycling Brushes

[Estragon]

I was thinking of using worn .357 bronze brushes in .30 cal. rifle bores. Is there a downside?

[russ69]

Just bin the old brushes, they get worn out and you want to use the right one for each bore size.

[Estragon]

Can the larger brush damage the barrel? just curious.

[Solid Foundation]

I've used old 40 brushes for 9
I've got a friend who uses old 45 brushes for 40

Why would it hurt?
It's a softer metal brush on a steel barrel. How could it hurt?

[Estragon]

That was my thinking, really. After some use the .357 brushes lose some diameter and might be good to run through the .30s.

[bohoki]

yea when my 45 brushes get wornt i shove them through my 9mm so i dont see a problem with a worn 9 brush going down a 30 just dont stop and reverse

[Estragon]

I would never reverse a brush or run them dry. In any case I use an OTIS cable.

[big103]

I use worn down brushes for the next smaller caliber. I haven't made it to .22 size yet but i`m working on it.

[Squidward]

I was thinking of using worn .357 bronze brushes in .30 cal. rifle bores. Is there a downside?

Downside?? Someone will eventually call you a cheap old bastard..

[Ritchie8719]

Downside?? Someone will eventually call you a cheap old bastard..

That is about it. Just don't over brush, don't go dry.

Best tip is to run a patch through before shooting. Whatever was left from cleaning before turns to carbon in the first shot otherwise.

[Estragon]

Squidward - I am what I am

[postal]

They say more damage is done by improper cleaning than anything else.....

So I dont where to stand on this issue.

I think most damage is by using stainless brushes (why do they even make those?), non coated rods, or steel/stainless rods, NOT using a bore guide, and lastly damaging the crown during cleaning.

[TKM]

You won't get the same cleaning action as all of the bristles will be bent backwards.

Trying to drag them back against the angle may be challenging as well.

Brushes are cheap, you don't have to be.

[milotrain]

The brass is softer than the barrel steel, the carbon imbedded in the brass bristles is not softer than barrel steel. A carbon loaded brush will scratch a barrel.

[SB1964]

I tend to like my brushes clean & firm. I spray them with carb cleaner, or brake cleaner, even better. I wouldn't bother with a worn brush, not over a few bucks, but that's just me. They do get loaded up pretty good.