Boresnake

shootist · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:59 pm Post subject: Boresnake

I just picked up one of these recently.
Before I use it, what are the pros and cons?
To me, grit contamination might be a problem..I intend to use it rather than a flexible cleaning rod during barrel break-in. Thanks

Irskii · Member Joined: Jul 14, 2005 Posts: 54

I do have a couple of them and they do pretty well for a quick clean in the field, during the wipe down but I still do a thourogh cleaning when I get home. I do not notice too much left in the barrels, but an all in one tends to leave a little for later, especially after repeated use.

Tim

shootist · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: Boresnake

Hi Irskii,
I might store the boresnake in Mineral spirits/Kroil between cleanings, then just spin it damp dry. What do you think?

Shootist

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Boresnake

Shootist...That would work if you were going to store or put the gun away for the next shoot except that I noticed that mine would not remove the copper fouling.

Irskii...I use mine for range bore clearing and as you said. In the field just before putting the rifle away after wipe down for the next days hunt.

I, too, do a complete cleaning at home before I put them in the gun safe...

Irskii · Member Joined: Jul 14, 2005 Posts: 54

Shootist, I just use a little bit of Hoppes on it before pulling it through, but like bushmaster said, it does not do well on the copper fouling. I do know that there are solvent products to remove the fouling, but I don't know how they would effect the materials of the boresnake. Nothing beats a little elbow grease and a good cleaning.

Tim

515034s10ring · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Boresnake

They are great for "in between" cleans....especially for an AR i've found that they do a phenominal job Very Happy

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: Boresnake

I use only Hoppe products on or in my firearms and have for 50 years. Very rare for me to try something else new. Some of my firearms have been with me for 45 years and show little or no wear internally. Externally? Now that is a different story. Some are used for target and pleasure shooting look damn near new. The ones that are used for hunting, hiking, fishing and horse back...They show some external wear from holsters and scabards...

The Hoppe's Bore Snake (dry) is an excellent remover of major bore fouling between shot strings and after a days hunt to clear bores of dirt and debris...

shootist · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Boresnake

Thanks guys,
What I was thinking of doing was to go through the typical break-in method. Shoot a shot...clean...for 5 etc....etc. for a string of about 30 rounds. That way the snake would just be pulled through the barrel rather than disassemble the Mauser M96 bolt each time.

Regards

Shootist

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Boresnake

That will work just fine....

Dawgdad · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: Boresnake

I have washed my bore snakes in the wifes delicate mesh bag in the waqshing machine to get the embedded grit out. I love the things!

sniper · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Boresnake

shootist wrote:

Thanks guys,
What I was thinking of doing was to go through the typical break-in method. Shoot a shot...clean...for 5 etc....etc. for a string of about 30 rounds. That way the snake would just be pulled through the barrel rather than disassemble the Mauser M96 bolt each time.

Regards

Shootist

It seems to me that as was stated earlier, that grit transfer would be a problem after the first pass through the barrel. Might cutting a hole in the center of a properly sized patch, then threading it on the 'snake, and replacing it after each pass reduce or eliminate the problem, do you think?

Vince · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:01 am Post subject: Re: Boresnake

Gidday Shootist. Like everyone else has said here, the Boresnake is a great piece of kit for that end of day cleaning during a hunt or after a range session. It does not take the place of a thorough cleaning, and I don't think it was ever intended to.

I use SWEETS solvent to remove the copper fouling from the bore.....works a treat.

Don't know about putting a solvent of any sort on the Boresnake though. Don't see that it would achieve anything other than needing to clean it straight after each pull through. I wouldn't store it in a cleaning liquid either. Just wash it every now and again as per the instructions to keep it in good order. The idea of a patch on the end sounds ok though. Might try that one myself.

Cheers, Vince

Daveyboy · Member Joined: Jan 22, 2006 Posts: 143

Hi Shootist

And everybody else...

If you are going to go to the effort of shooting 5 rounds and then cleaning the bore then you might as well do it properly. Remember the reason as to why you are doing it that way.

I agree with pretty much everything that has been said here. I use a boresnake in the field with my .17hmr inbetween mag changes and it keeps it on zero. When I get home it gets stripped, cleaned and put back together.

It is a long process, shooting in a new barrel, but it's part of the fun. A slower, lazier day on the range.

Keep well

Daveyboy

shootist · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:42 am Post subject: Re: Boresnake

I would have to disassemble the bolt at least 12 times. That's why I bought the boresnake.

Regards

Shootist