Any BoreSnake users?
I bought bore snakes as I first started shooting.
I have reservation about using them now.

I use them when I'm in the field (not literally, but away from home on a hunting trip) and wash them after every cleaning session.

At home, I use the old rod and patch. And recently starting using Sweets cleaner - which is ammonia and knocks the crap out of copper. Just use non-brass jags and brushes, and insure you remove it all from your barrel.

I have one and only use it when hunting in rainy weather. I clean with a rod when doing it for real.

I use them but I dont think they do the job as well as a rod and patch.

For my .17 HMR's a bore snake is all I have and it works well. They have never had a rod in them and they clean up nicely with the snake.

At home I use a one piece rod. My field pack contains a multi-piece rod. Really only to be used to remove a bore obstruction.
Proper cleaning can take place when I'm back home.I'm just not sure how effective a bore snake is going to be at removing a barrel obstruction.On a hunting trip I seldom fire more than a few shots. Last trip was two goats for dog meat, two shots and the one before was a fox and a goat for dog meat at days end. Can't see why the bore would need a cleaning in the field after that.I do wipe down all external surfaces with a light oiled rag at days end.
rob

I carry one on trips and use one on my AR after every clip 2 or 3 pulls

I have two, one for cleaning if I have only fired a few shots and one kept for taking out the oil from the barrel just before I leave for a hunt. I wash both thoroughly and after every cleaning session. I am happy with mine but you cant beat a good rod for a proper cleaning.

Work very well for 12ga.trap guns. I run one down the barrel(s) after every match or practice sesson and only clean thoroughly twice a year. Some Clensoil on both ends of the snake helps. (No plastic build up)

I don't think they were made as an alternative to rod and patches. When at the range or on a hunt, it's a convenient easy-carry alternative to doing nothing.

I think it handy as hell to have one in a baggie tucked in a small corner of your day pack. Along with an eye dropper bottle of Hoppes.

I love them but they are not a substitute for a good cleaning with a ONE piece rod and jag.
I use the bore snakes in the field and the rod at home. Only problem I have ever had, with the bore snakes was one in 17 caliber. The pull cord broke when I went to pull it through the bore the very first time. The smaller the caliber the lighter that cord is.

Whats so good about a one piece cleaning rod

quote:

Originally posted by npd345:
I love them but they are not a substitute for a good cleaning with a ONE piece rod and jag.
I use the bore snakes in the field and the rod at home. Only problem I have ever had, with the bore snakes was one in 17 caliber. The pull cord broke when I went to pull it through the bore the very first time. The smaller the caliber the lighter that cord is.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob da Builder:
Whats so good about a one piece cleaning rod
?

The joints can score the barrel...

I have one for my Winchester 94 in 44 Magnum calibre. It came in a "job lot" of items from a guy that was selling up. I used it and liked it.

I would not EVER have purchased one, having the same prejudices as others here, but having tried it I like it.

But I did also, afterwards, buy a sectional rod, that I can omit a section from to makeshorter, especially for the Winchester 94.

Would I buy one in other calibres for my other rifles? No as I use a one piece rod for them and can clean from the breech end.

So whilst they do the job and I'd use one if given one where I have a choice AND I CAN EASILY CLEAN FROM THE BREECH I'll use a normal rod.

My shot guns are all conventional break-open style except for one Greener GP and I use a rod on all of those.

The carbon left in our barrels when we shoot is harder than steel when it dries, about like sand. Would you run a bore snake covered with sand through your barrel? I don't want a bore snake getting anywhere near my barrels. It's akin to saving dirty patches and re-using them the next time you clean your rifle. Doesn't sound good to me.

They work just fine. More guns are ruined by cleaning than shooting. Squirt Wipe Out down the bore, after 20 minutes, dip the brush portion and loop at the end in Hoppes and pull it through from the breech 3 times. You can now put the gun away in an "intercept" case and all will be well.
Next time you want to shoot it, push through a dry patch on a quality one piece rod (Dewey) and clean the chamber with a flexible short rod using a chamber size bristle (NOT bronze) brush with a patch wrapped around it.
Almost all rifles with good bores will shoot AT LEAST 20 rounds before accuracy falls off, some will shoot 100s. Cleaning, outside of pre storage (in non-intercept cases) or black powder is way overrated.

After a dozen or so passes, I toss my snakes in one of those bags make to wash hose in and cycle them thru the washing machine (warm, low level) twice, once with detergent, once without.
Hang them up to dry .... good as new.

Anal gun cleaning and barrel break in belong in the same garbage can.

BTW a 16 gauge one works better in a 12 bore and a 12 gauge on better in a 10 bore.

BTW2 Patches, especially the large expensive ones may also be washed and reused as can bore brushes and mops.

And no, I don't tumble my smokeless cases every reload to remove that terrible harder than sand carbon inside them, that will be blown down the bore with the next reload @1000s of fps (rather than 24" in 30 seconds)....... chuckle

The above method might be O.K. for the 30-30 that's kept under the tractor seat or an SKS, but for sure not a quality rifle. Barrels are not worn out by proper cleaning. Why would YOU even bother using a one-piece rod.

A well known gunsmith and barrel maker has told me the bore snakes are a perfect way to ruin the crown on your barrel if not pulled perfectly straight. That is letting the bore snake hang off to the side while pulling. That way it rides on one side of the crown while being pulled. I don't use them. Never will.

Sad to say you are wrong and apparently don't read much on gun cleaning. The phrase "more guns are ruined by cleaning than shooting" has seen hundreds of appearances in books and magazines written by people with EXTENSIVE experience as shooters and gunsmiths. It is always amusing how a product is slammed by people who cannot produce one iota of evidence to back up their opinion.
Sounds like the "global warming is caused by man" nutcases.
You own how many boresnakes ? You have used them 100s of times and can produce evidence of accelerated barrel wear and decreased accuracy ?
No ?

I am amazed that anyone on a firearms blog would just be blowing smoke ..... probably never happened before.... (chuckle).
BTW, I use a one piece rod because that what anyone with any knowledge does IN THOSE CASES WHERE A ROD IS REQUIRED. (not very often except with black powder)

As for the "well known gunsmith and barrel maker", does he have a name and a business ?
Does he have verified evidence of his opinion ?
Always love how experts are quoted but never named. A great deal more crown damage is caused by jags hitting the crown while being pulled back into the bore than a fabric string would/could ever do. Yes, jags should always be removed, while protruding out the muzzle, before the rod is removed from the breech, through the bore guide.

The Internet ..... the source for more incorrect information than ever before known to man.

Not from my friend who does not like internet bashing but an article from another expert:

Ronnie J. Frigulti is a United States Marine Corps Combat Veteran having served as an infantry platoon and company commander in Vietnam, 1968-1969.

He has a BA degree in Public Administration and a MA degree in Criminal Justice. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent with Twenty-five years service in the Los Angeles Field Office.

During his career with the FBI, he served on the Los Angeles FBI Swat Team for fifteen years where he was a sniper, sniper team Leader, and Assault Team Leader. He was certified by the FBI as a firearms, defensive tactics, and police instructor for twenty-two years. He was appointed as the Principal Firearms Instructor for the Los Angeles FBI Field Office and served in that capacity for seventeen years until his retirement from the FBI.

Mr. Frigulti directed the Los Angeles FBI Police Training Unit that was responsible for the tactical and firearms training of agents as well as instructing local law enforcement and the military. He conducted classes in firearms, defensive tactics, chemical agents, physical fitness, officer survival, Swat, and other related tactical courses.

In 1996, he was certified by the FBI as a Master Police Instructor. He was a California certified POST Police Instructor and NRA Police Firearms Instructor.

Upon retirement, he has continued to provide training to law enforcement and military personnel. He now resides in central Oregon with his wife who is a Special Agent with the FBI and his dogs. In the summer of 2000, he established Police Training Consultants, LLC. Police Training Consultants, LLC (PTC) is a firearms and tactical training/consulting company dedicated to officer safety by providing fundamental and practical training to officers in law enforcement and the military. Mr. Frigulti brings to PTC his experience in the military, law enforcement, and as a law enforcement trainer/instructor and his passion for teaching.


I just completed his LEO "Urban Precision II" Rifle Course. During the lectures, he talked about how the best way to clean a precision barrel is with rod and patches...not a boresnake. He mentioned that a boresnake CAN ruin the crown of a barrel if pulled out of the bore at an angle.

It is not the boresnake itself, but rather the crap that builds up in the nylon threads as you use it that CAN wear away at the crown.

Also, if you do a google search, this issue has been debated "in general" on different forums.

I am curious what the ARFCOM hive thinks.

(and i am not going to call him an anal fudd)

btw - LTC Robert K. Brown of SOF took the course. Even though he is in his seventies and is recovering form a recent fall, he completed all the drills, including climbing various rooftops (slowly of course) to make headshots at 200, 150, 100 yards. The alpine roof was a bi@@@ to get up.

He shot a sub-moa group at 450 years. The old man has skills and is a true patriot.

Edit: I just spoke with one of the technical advisors from the course. He said that damage can occur over time, but not immediately. They do not recommend the use of a boresnake in highly accurized rifles.

Take it for whats it's worth to you. I don't care. KMA

quote:

A well known gunsmith and barrel maker has told me the bore snakes are a perfect way to ruin the crown on your barrel if not pulled perfectly straight. That is letting the bore snake hang off to the side while pulling. That way it rides on one side of the crown while being pulled. I don't use them. Never will.

From a "Brit" I can vouch that this is true. Here it is known as "cord wear" and was caused by the old fashioned pull through issued with the 303 Lee Enfield IF YOU DID NOT PULL IT THROUGH CENTRED WITH THE MUZZLE.

Indeed such was the "problem" AND the breach of military discipline offence that it resulted in that worn rifles would be marked "CW" (meaning CORD WORN) so that a subsequent soldier being issued such a cord worn rifle would not be punished for the transgressions of its previous careless owner!

Cord wear is a hazard with all breech to muzzle pull through systems and, in that respect, the Bore Snake is no different.

But, keep it centred, and the problem doesn't arise.

The same junk that is adhered to the cord and causes muzzle wear also scratches the inside of the bore. No self respecting knowledgeable rifleman pulls a dirty patch or jag back through his barrel.

Guess all you "experts" missed the part about washing the snake. SMLE bore dimensions and general accuracy were so bad, I doubt anyone would note the difference. "Cord Worn" (if such a designation ever existed) was probably due to the cord material, sand and grit embedded in it as I'm sure nobody chasing Erwin around the desert had a handy washing machine to keep it clean. Apples and Oranges ...... ever see a German linked steel pull through ? No proof, no official data cited with attribution and no reputable barrel makers willing to step up and tell us their names. Sure Hoppe's makes junk and Model 70s are unsafe because they lack "three rings of steel". When someone produces a witnessed, notarized log book that demonstrates a loss of accuracy that can be only attributed to the PROPER use of a Bore Snake, I may listen.
Interesting that the often touted Otis system that drags a flexible steel cable across the crown never gets the heat as the Bore Snake.
Good barrels almost never need cleaning in any normal hunting use except in bad weather or when to be stored. Another undocumented "problem" for the anal among us who really need to spend more time afield and putting bullets downrange.

Want to really end debates about cleaning ?
Switch to 3 groove Nitrided barrels, they don't foul at all compared to the 19th century design barrels that come on almost all rifles.

The OP asked who used Bore Snakes and what results were found. With a few exceptions his question was met by attack dogs who DNS about them. A typical Internet "search for knowledge" and a typical Internet "fact based response".

Let's move on to why the 280 Remington is so superior to the 270 Winchester ..... okay ?

You can use weed trimmer line (.065) and double it and push the loop through the bore and insert a piece of cloth in the loop and drag it through. You can drag a much tighter patch than you can push through. Small piece of trimmer line can be easily carried---wont remove a lodged item. You can also use a piece of real heavy--.135 weed trimmer and push a patch through a .17 or even a .22 cal.

I personally think they are a great alternative for rifles that can't be cleaned from the breech. I use them on my Mini14's and 10/22.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by 45-70 shooter:
Sad to say you are wrong and apparently don't read much on gun cleaning. The phrase "more guns are ruined by cleaning than shooting" has seen hundreds of appearances in books and magazines written by people with EXTENSIVE experience as shooters and gunsmiths. It is always amusing how a product is slammed by people who cannot produce one iota of evidence to back up their opinion.
Sounds like the "global warming is caused by man" nutcases.
You own how many boresnakes ? You have used them 100s of times and can produce evidence of accelerated barrel wear and decreased accuracy ?
No ?

I am amazed that anyone on a firearms blog would just be blowing smoke ..... probably never happened before.... (chuckle).
BTW, I use a one piece rod because that what anyone with any knowledge does IN THOSE CASES WHERE A ROD IS REQUIRED. (not very often except with black powder)

As for the "well known gunsmith and barrel maker", does he have a name and a business ?
Does he have verified evidence of his opinion ?
Always love how experts are quoted but never named. A great deal more crown damage is caused by jags hitting the crown while being pulled back into the bore than a fabric string would/could ever do. Yes, jags should always be removed, while protruding out the muzzle, before the rod is removed from the breech, through the bore guide.

The Internet ..... the source for more incorrect information than ever before known to man.

I always find it interesting the powder residue and bits of copper and lead fouling that make a bore dirty in the first place are so innocuous when zipping through the barrel at 2800 fps and hundreds if not thousands of degrees in temperature, but this same residue somehow becomes harder than chrome moly steel when it cools, permanently attaches itself to a bit of cotton string, and is death on barrels while moving at a blistering 1 fps as it travels down the barrel at 72 degrees.

At last,,, my thoughts exactly!

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:
I always find it interesting the powder residue and bits of copper and lead fouling that make a bore dirty in the first place are so innocuous when zipping through the barrel at 2800 fps and hundreds if not thousands of degrees in temperature, but this same residue somehow becomes harder than chrome moly steel when it cools, permanently attaches itself to a bit of cotton string, and is death on barrels while moving at a blistering 1 fps as it travels down the barrel at 72 degrees.

I use the bore snakes on most every hunt.

I do not consider them as "cleaning the gun", as I do not use them with any solvent.

If I have fired the gun, or if I think dust has got inside the barrel, I will pull a Bore Snake through the barrel a time or three.

It removes the "big chunks" of left over powder that might attract moisture durring the next few days of the hunt.

I keep my Bore Snakes in the "plastic" nalgene bottles, so I have thought about using some Prolix on the first one for a few pulls and then a dry one for the last 2 pulls or so.

Then when I get home I clean with a proper rod/brushes/solvent/etc...

But I like the Bore Snake a lot for what I use it for.

I also use bore snakes as an "interim" cleaning method on longer hunts.

Pretty much if the gun is fired or if I get dust/moisture in it, I use the bore snake at the end of the day. Knock on wood, I have not had any rust in a bore yet.

I don't think they will get built up carbon or metal fouling out, unless one saturates the end with solvent and uses multiple snakes to clean the solvent out.

However, I think they are a heck of a lot easier to pack out on a multi week safari than a single piece rod, bore guide, patches, and TSA's favorite, gun solvent. I would rather use a bore snake than a multi piece rod without a bore guide for the limited stuff I'm doing in camp. I do bring the multi piece "universal" rod and slotted patch holder and a small amount of oil in case I get something solid in the bore, but that's the only time I would actually use that.

I think using a bore snake to get crud out and preventing rust is a legitimate use. I don't think they are intended for regular cleaning- in fact, I tried to use one for "regular" cleaning of a shotgun I used for informal clay pigeon shooting. When at the end of the year I did my regular method, the patches did not come out as "dirty" as a like gun that I had not used the snake on (and shot less) but it took every bit as long to get the gun fully clean.

If that little nylon cord is damaging your crown, you need to find another barrel maker!

Some people will believe anything if they read it on the internet.

I guess that it does provide an excuse for poor shooting...'Must've ruined the crown pulling that boresnake through.'

I use bore snakes as they are a very handy tool. I drag them through the bore as needed to remove oil and/or condensation when in the field. I store them in a small zip lock bag and when needed, I put them in the cargo pocket of my pants and run them through the washer.

ALL cleaning equipment can damage your bore if used improperly. No disrespect to any of the recognized or self proclaimed expert snipers/bench rest shooters/barrel makers/shade tree gunsmiths/gun writers/etc., but most of them base their "facts" on what their favorite mentor/hero said or wrote.

I use them as my primary cleaning tool on all my shotguns. They are great. I pull them from the breach to the muzzle. I only put oil on them. I don't use "solvent" on my shotguns because oil works well enough alone and "solvent" is bad on wood finishes. When the bore snake gets dirty I clean it with hot water and dish detergent. However, I must concede that my cleaning method is abrasive and will most likely wear a shotgun bore out after about 25,000 cleanings.

my feelings exactly!!

quote:

Originally posted by kelbro:
If that little nylon cord is damaging your crown, you need to find another barrel maker!

Some people will believe anything if they read it on the internet.

I guess that it does provide an excuse for poor shooting...'Must've ruined the crown pulling that boresnake through.'

Had to pop back and see if the morons were still pontificating their BS with no proven facts, quotable experts or anything beyond their usual "trollificating". Happy to see that those who actually have used the product as intended have rescued the thread from the DNS crowd.
Now I know why I missed that first speed goat at 300 yards, trying to use a fence post as a "rest" in a 10mph 1/4ing wind ...... musta been the fact that I have used a boresnake on that 1885 Browning 25-06 a dozen times or so in the 12+ years I've owned it. Funny though but it still shoots like this at almost 4000 fps and will "end to end" a goat at 230 yards like this.



Gee had I missed the second one I too could blame it on a piece of string rather than being a lousy shot ! (chuckle)

Nice speed goat!

quote:

Originally posted by 45-70 shooter:
Had to pop back and see if the morons were still pontificating their BS with no proven facts, quotable experts or anything beyond their usual "trollificating". Happy to see that those who actually have used the product as intended have rescued the thread from the DNS crowd.
Now I know why I missed that first speed goat at 300 yards, trying to use a fence post as a "rest" in a 10mph 1/4ing wind ...... musta been the fact that I have used a boresnake on that 1885 Browning 25-06 a dozen times or so in the 12+ years I've owned it. Funny though but it still shoots like this at almost 4000 fps and will "end to end" a goat at 230 yards like this.



Gee had I missed the second one I too could blame it on a piece of string rather than being a lousy shot ! (chuckle)

Nice goat.
Funny. The first BoreSnake I ever used was purchased to use on my 7mm-08 for a pronghorn hunt in Wyoming.

No doubt it destroyed the rifle and you have had to eat a Burger King ever since (?)

These are the same guys who uniform and clean primer pockets, neck turn the brass and weigh the primers on their 150 yard 308 deer rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by 45-70 shooter:
Sad to say you are wrong and apparently don't read much on gun cleaning. The phrase "more guns are ruined by cleaning than shooting" has seen hundreds of appearances in books and magazines written by people with EXTENSIVE experience as shooters and gunsmiths. It is always amusing how a product is slammed by people who cannot produce one iota of evidence to back up their opinion.
Sounds like the "global warming is caused by man" nutcases.
You own how many boresnakes ? You have used them 100s of times and can produce evidence of accelerated barrel wear and decreased accuracy ?
No ?

I am amazed that anyone on a firearms blog would just be blowing smoke ..... probably never happened before.... (chuckle).
BTW, I use a one piece rod because that what anyone with any knowledge does IN THOSE CASES WHERE A ROD IS REQUIRED. (not very often except with black powder)

As for the "well known gunsmith and barrel maker", does he have a name and a business ?
Does he have verified evidence of his opinion ?
Always love how experts are quoted but never named. A great deal more crown damage is caused by jags hitting the crown while being pulled back into the bore than a fabric string would/could ever do. Yes, jags should always be removed, while protruding out the muzzle, before the rod is removed from the breech, through the bore guide.

The Internet ..... the source for more incorrect information than ever before known to man.

Sorry but you are in the weeds on this one... NEVER even seen one of these pos things at a BR match... If my Smith saw me using one he would slap me in the head and say --no more builds for you.. Also Speedy has forgotten more on the subject of crown wear than you will ever know. Sorry that is just the truth of the matter. From what I see you shoot factory rifles anyway so what is the big deal. Most of them are not the best when it comes to crowns---the borescope does not lie...