I was cleaning my new.17 today and noticed the end of my new cleaning rod had the paint worn off one side for about an inch up the rod. Is the bore or the rifling so sensitive that i may have affected accuracy? Also the .17 boresnake is almost impossible to pull through the bore....Is this normal?
Those bore snakes are really tight, so that's normal.
The worn cleaning rod wouldn't harm the bore any more than a copper jacketed bullet would, so relax. My cleaning rods have the finish worn off of them nearly their entire length...
Some people get really anal about cleaning rods, but most of the "damage" horror stories are made up by gunsmiths trying to sell new barrels, or fancy cleaning gizmos.
I would be more careful in the future, but what you've done so far should be no problem at all.
God created bore guides and one-piece stainless cleaning rods...for a good reason.
A stainless rod needs a bore guide, I'm not so convinced a brass one or a good coated Dewey does if wiped down frequently and used sensibly (ie not bowed as it travels down the bore)
Posts: 2258 | Location: Bristol, England | Registered: 24 April 2001
Shotaway, scrub it with fine steel wool!! The crown of the muzzle is the place that you must take care not to damage. Also, to a lesser extent, the throat just ahead of the chamber!!
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