Bore Snake.

[markiver54]

Agreed. The Bore Snake is not a substitute for a thorough cleaning. It is however quick piece of mind to remove heavy fouling and leave a protective coating in the bore.

[pennsylvaniapete]

:Here's something else to consider with a bore snake. After you use it routinely for a couple of weeks, it collects all kind of bad stuff. Best to wash it out every once in awhile.

[markiver54]

:Here's something else to consider with a bore snake. After you use it routinely for a couple of weeks, it collects all kind of bad stuff. Best to wash it out every once in awhile.

Good point! To my knowledge, nobody, including manufacturer has mentioned that. Unless I missed it.

[Not_Invented_Here]

So just to confirm...since I'm new to boresnakes:

I used it once on my H012 big boy in 357/38. Regardless of caliber, can anyone comment on how hard it should be to pull through the barrel? It was definitely dirty which I imagine could hold it up a bit, but it was tough enough that I didn't attempt to pull it through a second time and went with the Tipton rod + patches instead.

Several posts here say it's normal for it to be difficult to pull through the first few times?

[markiver54]

They are a bit tight/snug to begin with. it should free up some with further use. It needs to be a bit snug though or it wouldn't be doing its job. Obviously, be sure to use enough CLP, or whatever you choose to use on it.

[Not_Invented_Here]

They are a bit tight/snug to begin with. it should free up some with further use. It needs to be a bit snug though or it wouldn't be doing its job. Obviously, be sure to use enough CLP, or whatever you choose to use on it.

Yeah, I thought I had doused the front part in enough Hoppes #9, but perhaps not. Do you ever use Ballistol? Got a can on the bench but have stuck to Hoppe's so far. I was mostly hung up on the brass bristle part and concerned that it was oversized/could potentially damage something pulling through. Further reading seems to suggest I'm worrying about nothing and will be fine.

[Rifletom]

Yep, you'll be fine. Ballistol works well also.

[Not_Invented_Here]

Yep, you'll be fine. Ballistol works well also.

As I understand it, with Ballistol, you could come home after an afternoon at the range, spray a good bit of it down the bore and let it sit for a bit before running a snake through one or two passes?

[Rifletom]

Yep, you'll be fine. Ballistol works well also.

As I understand it, with Ballistol, you could come home after an afternoon at the range, spray a good bit of it down the bore and let it sit for a bit before running a snake through one or two passes?

If the bore is really cruddy, sure. Normally, you can clean as you would normally. Is a bore snake all you are using?

[markiver54]

I use lots of Ballistol. Great stuff and it is a CLP.

[Not_Invented_Here]

Yep, you'll be fine. Ballistol works well also.

As I understand it, with Ballistol, you could come home after an afternoon at the range, spray a good bit of it down the bore and let it sit for a bit before running a snake through one or two passes?

If the bore is really cruddy, sure. Normally, you can clean as you would normally. Is a bore snake all you are using?

Nope, rod patches hoppes toothbrush and q tips. Only used bore snake once before posting. It was surprisingly dirty from the factory and then I cleaned it at after about 300-400 rounds.

[Not_Invented_Here]

I use lots of Ballistol. Great stuff and it is a CLP.

Do you spray and let it soak/sit in the bore before hitting it with rod/patches or a boresnake? Or do you apply to patches and clean with it?

[markiver54]

Personally, I don't soak unless I know my bore is very dirty from a lot of rounds, or, If, shame on me, I have not cleaned recently.
Typically though, I just run the snake through a couple times with the snake and some Balistol. Of course I DO take a look at the bore with my prism or bore light to make sure I've done enough.
I would rather take care of my cleaning needs all at once rather than spraying and walking away while it soaks, only to forget to return to finish the job. Sometimes it becomes nesessary though.

[BMCTED]

I've been using them for a number of years for both .30 Cal. (7.62) and .22 bores. I think they do a great job. I always pull a patch soaked with Ed's Red bore cleaner down the barrel first, let it sit a while, then pull through the bore snake a couple times.

I always wanted one of those bore snake cameras to really see the condition of my bores, but the prices were always WAY out of my league. A year or so ago, I found them CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP on Amazon, so I pulled the trigger and bought one. It works very well, especially on old military rifles. These work so well, I actually thought I might start doing my own colonoscopes at home.

[Mags]

I also use bore snakes for normal cleaning. If I detect a lot of copper fouling then I'll plug the bore with a bore squeegee from the chamber end. Pour in copper bore cleaner through the muzzle and let it soak.

[BMCTED]

I also use bore snakes for normal cleaning. If I detect a lot of copper fouling then I'll plug the bore with a bore squeegee from the chamber end. Pour in copper bore cleaner through the muzzle and let it soak.

If I find an old military rifle with a particularly nasty looking bore, before I give up on it I use an electronic bore cleaner. There are several kits out there, but I have made up my own, and my own electrolytic solution. I've cleaned up a number of barrels I though were only useful as tomato stakes. Of course, one has to "slug the bore" and check thoroughly before use.

[Joe.45]

For whatever is worth: I have been using nothing but Boresnake and Ballistol for the past 25 years on ALL my 22LR barrels, including all Henry rifles, and I have never, ever, had a problem.

[pennsylvaniapete]

I can’t even get my bore snake, brass cap end, to go all the way through the barrel of my ‘Golden boy .22 and come out the other end. The size says .22 to .270 …..any suggestions!
I am putting it in the muzzle end, not the breech end.

[markiver54]

I can’t even get my bore snake, brass cap end, to go all the way through the barrel of my ‘Golden boy .22 and come out the other end. The size says .22 to .270 …..any suggestions!
I am putting it in the muzzle end, not the breech end.

Are you sure it's a rifle snake and not a pistol snake? Then again, If it said .270, then it should be a rifle length.

[dave77]

Too short or too tight? My .22 boresnake is really tight going through both my .22 and my .556 to the point where I thought it was going to break. It got a little easier as I used it. Are you trying to pull it through dry? Might try a dampening it with a little CLP.