Whatcha Sticking In Your Barrel?

[F2CMaDMaXX]

I use Tipton stainless one piece rods. I also tend to scrub the cleaning rod more than the bore because I don't want to create a "sanding rod" instead of a cleaning rod. That's why I don't care to use a Teflon coated rod, either.

Carbon rods

 

[etrain16]

I know @AndyinEverson sticks balls in his barrel

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I know @AndyinEverson sticks balls in his barrel

And patches with spit or bear grease , sometimes deer tallow ...
Andy

 

[etrain16]

And patches with spit or bear grease , sometimes deer tallow ...
Andy

Boy, you'll stick just about anything in there!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Boy, you'll stick just about anything in there!

Only if it preforms well....
Andy

 

[nammac]

I know @AndyinEverson sticks balls in his barrel

Yea, but those are lead balls... Safe in case of a nuclear attack..

 

[etrain16]

Yea, but those are lead balls... Safe in case of a nuclear attack..

So long as you're not shooting blanks, you're good to go

 

[nammac]

So long as you're not shooting blanks, you're good to go

That's where the balls roll up to the muzzle of the barrel and fall out on the ground???

That's not a good sign...

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Speaking of shooting blanks...
I was once doing a Civilian protrayal at a Civil War reenactment ... Of course for any "Live Firing" blanks are to be used.
I was using a antique rifle of mine ... one that I also hunt / compete with.
As I going thru my bag to reload...I found a round ball at the bottom of my bag....Yikes!
Now I am a smart guy ... before hand I took my ball bag out of my shooing pouch , to keep this very thing from happening.
Just goes to show pay attention when you have a gun in your hands ... even if you are shooting blanks...
Andy

 

[Sgt Nambu]

Carbon rods

Stainless rods

 

[Certaindeaf]

I trained a wooly caterpillar to wriggle down the bores of my guns.

















not really

 

[Andy54Hawken]

While working at a pawn shop I have cleaned bugs and cobwebs out of rifle and shotgun bores...
Andy

 

[Velzey]

I do the same as @Certaindeaf
No need for fancy ball bearings or coated rods. These are 100% organic.

 

[jsparks747]

Well it depends which barrel... I personally like boresnakes.

 

[Flymph]

Just from finished using the Otis kit, and it took a lot of that brown factory gunk out. My only problem is that it is relentless, and still coming out after about 70 plus patches... I plan to shoot it then hopefully get the rest. The wire was a lot more effective than the rod I was using on my 10/22.

I'll try the caterpillars next! LoL

 

[Pete F]

I tried the flexible coated wire cleaning "rods" for my Marlin model 60 .22 and hated it. The coating immediately started scraping off and I couldn't get a brass brush or patch jag to turn the corner into the bore. It wasn't Otis, but just as well known. I am afraid to try it on my lever actions. They do make brass and plastic inserts to protect your crown if you need to clean from muzzle to bore. I am ordering a couple of different sizes. I haven't found a one piece rod that I like yet, but am still looking. I do have a collection of bore snakes and haven't used them yet - don't know why other than the horror stories of getting them stuck in the barrel and not being able to remove them without a gunsmith. Yes, I clean my guns way more than most people would recommend. My Dad, who taught me everything gun, let his guns get absolutely grimy before cleaning, so I don't know why I am obsessive about clean guns.

 

[Certaindeaf]

And when my wooly caterpillar metamorphoses into a beautiful butterfly, I train it to keep the dust off my guns with its wings.

works pretty good

 

[AirResq]

I carried a BoreSnake in my pack when hunting deer and elk on the OR coast. I fell one time (which will happen sometimes in that country) and fouled the bore. It cleaned things up enough to feel comfortable continuing my hunt. I gave the rifle a good cleaning when I got back in that evenning.
I use single piece rods for my long guns, stainless shorty for the handguns, and a multi-piece for the shotgun.

 

[F2CMaDMaXX]

I tried the flexible coated wire cleaning "rods" for my Marlin model 60 .22 and hated it. The coating immediately started scraping off and I couldn't get a brass brush or patch jag to turn the corner into the bore. It wasn't Otis, but just as well known. I am afraid to try it on my lever actions. They do make brass and plastic inserts to protect your crown if you need to clean from muzzle to bore. I am ordering a couple of different sizes. I haven't found a one piece rod that I like yet, but am still looking. I do have a collection of bore snakes and haven't used them yet - don't know why other than the horror stories of getting them stuck in the barrel and not being able to remove them without a gunsmith. Yes, I clean my guns way more than most people would recommend. My Dad, who taught me everything gun, let his guns get absolutely grimy before cleaning, so I don't know why I am obsessive about clean guns.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say you've not tried Tipton or Gunslick one piece carbon rods, i hated rods until i bought these, and i was trying to use the Otis system amongst others - good for a compromise, scaled down cleaning, but if i'm at my gun bench, i want the full sized carbon rods.

 

[Ura-Ki]

Bore snakes are not new, been around for at least 100 years, and they still work quite well for quick cleaning! I carry one when hunting or for range trips when I want a quick clean. For more complete cleaning, a stainless one piece rod is what I use, carbon rods will break down with certain solvents, even those that say they are proof against, I have seen them fail, so I don't trust them! Besides the bore snakes, I never use a metal brush, only plastic and solvent followed by good patches, and light oiling when done!