Hi,

Has anyone used these? How do you rate them? Does anyone have concerns over using a steel brush in a rifle bore? I'm looking to find a copper-free brush (bristles and core) and these look to fit the bill, but I'm just a bit concerned that they might be too hard.

Cheers,
Bruce

I haven't tried them on rifled barrels and don't understand how they would be beneficial.They were made for shotguns and do a fine job of removing plastic residue from the shells. In any case there are no ends of wires to scratch the barrel.

Yes, I have concerns over using a steel brush in my rifle bores. If you want a brush that won't react with the copper solvents consider the Nylon brushes.

Steel on steel...bad juju. Stick with phosphor bronze and nylon.

Only reason to use these tornado brushes in a rifled arm is if the bore is bad and you're trying to get 60 years of crud out of it. Its been noted, using bore scopes, that they don't help your bore. Now for shotguns, they're great!

I'd suggest directing that question to whoever made your barrel(s). Every custom barrel-maker I've ever discussed using them with has said "NO, absolutely not!!!"

quote:

Originally posted by mete:
I haven't tried them on rifled barrels and don't understand how they would be beneficial.They were made for shotguns and do a fine job of removing plastic residue from the shells. In any case there are no ends of wires to scratch the barrel.

Agree!

I do have some for my 357Mag and 44Mag Revolvers, but only use them in the Chambers when shooting a lot of Cast Bullets.

I've never used one in any kind of Rifling, and can't visualize how they could clean the sharp corners in the Grooves. But they do great in the Chambers and excellent in Shotguns.

I think they're great for cleaning/lubing case necks.

What brand of brushes do people use then? Most of the nylon brushes I have use a brass shank....

Bruce

Hey Bruce, When I buy Brushes, I usally buy them a dozen at a time at the local Gun Shows and get a price break. Some have Brass Bristles and some Nylon. I still use both kinds.

For whatever reason people "fear" putting Brass Bristles into a Bore, I've NEVER seen a barrel harmed by using them. They will leave some Copper Residue Traces, but it is minor.

Whichever Brush I use, Brass or Nylon, I always give it a spray with either Brake Cleaner or Carb Cleaner to wash off the Bore Cleaner immediately after it comes out of the Bore.

Needless to say, the Bore Cleaner will begin eating away at the Brass Bristles and twisted Copper Cores, because that is what it is supposed to do.

If a person "Short Strokes" a relatively tight fitting Brass Bristle Brush, that will wear it out very quickly and cause the Bristles to collapse along one side of the Brush. Same as bending a wire back-and-forth to break it. So, a Nylon Brush is much better for this type of cleaning.
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I'm not sure if I've ever worn out a "Nylon" Brush or not.

Have been able to re-use 30cal Brass Brushes in 7mm as the tips of the Bristles would wear down. And 7mm in 6mm, etc. But, as I said before, I spray them very quickly to stop the Bore Cleaner from attacking them.

I think most of my Brushes are Pro Shot, Kleen Bore and Hoppe's, but there could be others in the mix as well.

Best of luck to you.

I use the pro shot bronze with brass core. but have some kleen bore brushes etc.

Old 30 cal brushes also get used in my 270 and 6.5s

I have some soft bristle brushes that I use to coat the bore with hoppes, kroil or marvel mystry and allow to soak then hit it with a bronze brush , then a jag with dry patch to wipe resedue out. This is after I ve first ran a couple patches of hoppes through to get most the loose carbon out

quote:

Originally posted by BlackHawk1:
Steel on steel...bad juju. Stick with phosphor bronze and nylon.

What he said..

I have a couple Tornado brushes that got used for cleaning lead out of revolvers well leaded by Hornady or Speer lead slugs.
I find they are great for getting a lot of solvent to the barrel of my 40 and 45 caliber rifles. Then I switch to regular brass/copper/ bronze brushes.
Jim

You don't have to worry about the solvent working on the brass or bronze core of a brush. Before that's been eaten up will take a while. The bristels get eaten away a little faster of course. But so what? A new brush once in a while won't blow the budget. I also buy them by 12 per pack for a $ a piece. And I rinse mine with water and soap after use. They usually last me half a year being used once a week. So I can't really see the problem. Anyway, I won't sacrifice my barrel using steel brushes for the cost of two dollars per year.

After having to return a Ruger MK-II pistol for a new barrel, after using a Stainless Stell brush..I use nothing but TORNADO BRUSHES. They work fine.