Getting frustated cleaning my Browing BLR .308. I got the Dewey brass muzzle bore guide, but I find that a patched jag will not fit through the guide. Solution - I get the patched jag into the bore far enough first, then insert the muzzle bore guide once the pathed jad is in. New Problem - with a snug fit, I really have to force the patched jag in and sometimes it suddenly "gives" - I hear the sickening sound of metal on metal contact - can't be good for the muzzule/crown. Today, I noticed I can see "rifling" marks on the brass threaded sections of both my Dewey and tipton rods (the part where the japs are threaded on.

Question - Am I using the muzzle guide wrong? How are others cleaning their Lever action/BLRs? What can I do to improve my technique?

Note: I don't have the skills, tools, or experience to remove the BLR "bolt" to allow cleaning from the action/chamber. It must be tricky as even a gunsmith made a mistake in putting this same gun back together after I had him clean it (timing in the gears were not reset properly - sent the gun to a Browning repair center to have it done correctly).

You shouldn't have to use a whole lot of force .Try a different type patch.Anything on the patch as far as lube ?

Welcome to the forum !

Try using a smaller diameter jag. I use a jag for a .30 caliber rifle when I clean my BLR .358 Winchester from the muzzle.

On some of my other rifles which I have to clean from the Muzzle, like a Garand, I do the same kind of thing...I use a .270 jag. As I use standard large 2-1/4x2-1/4 military .30 flannel patches in all those bores, it works just fine. I also wrap a military flannel patch around an M-1 chamber brush to clean their chambers and locking lug recesses.

For brushes, I use the standard bore-size brushes. The standard bronze bristles have plenty of "give" to start easily and on center.

Depending on stage of cleaning, patches are either Dry or with solvent on them (Hoppes #9 for poweder, CR-10 for copper). The patches are 30" caliber Dewey - I even pierce the patches off-center (as recommended by Dewey). Perhaps I simply cut the patches smaller - will be a PITA.

Question - Is a patched jag supposed to fit throught the muzzle guide?

Smaller Jag - now thats a simple solution that I never considered (says alot about me and my level of thinking). Will have to try that. Thanks.

I don't know about your muzzle guide, but my patched jags fit through my muzzle guides. If they didn't how could the guide be expected to intitially guide the patch and jag into the bore? Getting the jag and patch centered (and held that way until completely in the bore) is the major reason for using a guide, to my way of thinking.

No you do not try to put the patch or the brush thought the brass bore guide, you have the guide already on the cleaning rod.

On guns that I have to clean from the muzzle I start the patch or the brush and then put the muzzle guide against the barrel as I push the rod down the bore.

If your patches seem to tight, try a smaller patch or a smaller jag.

Also, early on, when you are applying "solvent to the bore" you might use a slotted tip, instead of a jag.

It is possibly worth noting here that there ARE three different kinds of cleaning rod guides.

One elementary kind is meant for use when cleaning from the chamber end of the barrel. It goes on the rod before the rod and guide are placed into the chamber of the barrel, and the jag and patch, or brush do not go through it, unless you want them to.

A lot of shooters DO also put their patches and jags through their rod guides, even when cleaning from the breech...especially a lot of benchrest shooters who do not want their chamber throats mucked up by contact with the jag. Specially made for these folks, a second kind of the popular guides have a port in the top side of the guide, so the patches can be wet AFTER they are in the guide, but before they enter the barrel.

But, there is a third kind of guide too, which is counterbored and fits OVER the muzzle, not just up against it. The patch and jag, or brush, does go through it, as it is intended to center them, and hold them free of hard or off-center contact with the crown....especially jag-to-crown contact.

I haven't bought either kind in twenty years...I make my own.

There is also the "SNAKE" that drops through the chamber end and is pulled through...not quite as "pleasurefull" for those that like to stroke the rod...but cleans fairly well in conjunction with Wipe-out squirted into the chamber end...

I use both the snake and the "over the muzzle" guide on my BLR.

You can also use a chamber "plug" type of guide for the takedown BLR...home made by drilling out the primer pocket in a case.

Luck