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Thread: cleaning rods

  1. #1
    Senior Member Stiffy's Avatar
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    Default cleaning rods

    Okay, when I got my new rifle, I took out my new $20 Outers cleaning kit (which had been conveniently displayed on the Walmart Sporting goods counter when I bought my gun case) and did my barrel cleaning as recommended by the manufacturer.

    I then went out and shot a few rounds, brought the rifle back, and started to clean it again. My patch must have been a few millionths of an inch too big, because the rod snapped at one of the thread joints.

    Now, please don't tell me all about "you get what you pay for," because my wife was with me when I bought the gun case and she encouraged my to buy the cleaning kit, which happened to be offered at a sale price. Therefore, it's all her fault.

    Anyway, any suggestions on a cleaning rod that can take a little stress without breaking?


  2. #2
    cold leftovers Psalm25's Avatar
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    I got mine at Cabela's. It's the premium all in one cleaning kit, never had an issue with it and I spend a lot of time at the gun range so it gets lots of use.
    "If you're seeking to survive in the wilderness then good gear will get you to the last 10%. Training and practice are needed for the 90%."

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  3. #3
    cold leftovers Psalm25's Avatar
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    "If you're seeking to survive in the wilderness then good gear will get you to the last 10%. Training and practice are needed for the 90%."

    "If you can see smoke comin from your neighbor's chimney, your too close to your neighbor and its time to move on" - My Grandfather

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    Senior Member kyratshooter's Avatar
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    Take the rod back to Wally World and get a refund.

    You had a freakish accident and it will probably never happen again.

    You can clean a .22 too much. Most target shooters will not let a cleaning rod come near their rifles. The bores are not usually the problem but fouling and overlube and crud building up and affecting the mechanical workings.

    I break my .22 rifles down and clean them every decade or two whether they need it or not.
    Last edited by kyratshooter; 01-12-2013 at 09:35 PM.
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    Senior Member Stiffy's Avatar
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    I did get the refund. And I'll take a look at Cabelas.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Winter's Avatar
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    Get a bore snake at some point to carry with you in the field.
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  7. #7
    One step at a time intothenew's Avatar
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    Barnes cr10 and a fiberglass rod. Sorry no link, I buy them both locally. Blue is bad.
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    I have Dewey rods in a couple lengths. Never had a problem.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Stiffy's Avatar
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    Thanks for all the suggestions. It looks like I can do a lot better than the Wal Mart special.

  10. #10
    Resident Wildman Wildthang's Avatar
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    I have a couple of old Outers cleaning kits, ( cheap ) and have never had that happen. I like the one that is made of brass because it will not ruin the rifles or crown as long as you are careful andyou feed the rod square with the bore when run it through the barrel.

  11. #11
    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    There must be 10 or so cleaning kits around here and several 'deployed"...
    The small bore (.12. 204, .22) are the hardest to get all the "universal stuff" to fit, as in the Cabelas kit (have a couple).

    Correct size patch and brass jag seems to be the most fool proof, the plastic breaks off, or the rod breaks at a joint by trying to force it both in and out.
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  12. #12
    Senior Member Stiffy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hunter63 View Post
    There must be 10 or so cleaning kits around here and several 'deployed"...
    The small bore (.12. 204, .22) are the hardest to get all the "universal stuff" to fit, as in the Cabelas kit (have a couple).

    Correct size patch and brass jag seems to be the most fool proof, the plastic breaks off, or the rod breaks at a joint by trying to force it both in and out.
    Well, if my hindsight serves me well, I probably just didn't trim down the patch enough before using it (my kit came with the one-size patches that you have to trim to the correct size for your barrel).

  13. #13
    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stiffy View Post
    .......Now, please don't tell me all about "you get what you pay for," because my wife was with me when I bought the gun case and she encouraged my to buy the cleaning kit, which happened to be offered at a sale price. Therefore, it's all her fault.

    Anyway, any suggestions on a cleaning rod that can take a little stress without breaking?
    Not a darn thing wrong with the kit you picked up from Walmart. I'll bet that many others carry an identical kit that costs more - maybe with a different label but probably the same manufacturer.
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  14. #14

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    If you can find one and don't mind spending extra money, I have an Otis universal cleaning kit that does a good job. It comes in a nice compact little case the size of your hand that you can easily put in your pack when you go out to the field or just keep at home. Its perfect if you have a variety of calibers you shoot because it comes with all kinds of brushes and cables.

  15. #15

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    i prefer a one piece rod or a bore snake. the otis kit is great, especially if you want to pack it. lightweight, compact, about 5" diameter

    http://www.midwayusa.com/product/788...leaning-system

  16. #16
    Resident Wildman Wildthang's Avatar
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    I actually like the fiberglass or carbon fiber one peice rods for my expensive rifles. I don't know why, but I like a rod and patch better than a bore snake because i think a good ole wet patch gets the bore cleaner.

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Wildthang View Post
    I actually like the fiberglass or carbon fiber one peice rods for my expensive rifles. I don't know why, but I like a rod and patch better than a bore snake because i think a good ole wet patch gets the bore cleaner.
    i usaully run a brass brush and wet patch throught before the bore snake. I use the snake more for drying and cleaning the gunk out

  18. #18

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    I'm an avid benchrest shooter and gumsmith. I shoot thousands of rounds each year, and my guns are custom made with the finest actions and barrels money can buy. So I don't take cleaning lightly, and believe it or not, you can do more harm cleaning the wrong way, than never cleaning at all.

    First, use a one piece steel rod. I like the Pro Shot stainless, but I also have the coated Dewey rods. Either one will do the job. Jointed rods bend, flex, can unscrew themselves, and are usually aluminum. Aluminum is a great abrasive! That's right, abrasive, and should never be in a bore.

    Second, get a bore guide, which fits in the action and does two things. It keeps the cleaning rod aligned with the bore, and also keeps the cleaning crud out of the magazine and/or trigger. They cost about 20 bucks and are worth it. The bore snakes can clean a bore, but they drag all the solvents and crud through though action.

    Use a good solvent. There are two kinds of fouling, carbon (burned powder) and copper or lead (depending on which bullet you use). Some solvents will do a good job on both, but stubborn copper fouling takes some heavy duty stuff. There are several brands that do well. Use cotton patches that fit between the cleaning jag and the bore, which is caliber dependent. You can fold over a patch if you have a 22 caliber jag and are cleaning a 30 caliber. It's something you work out. ou want a good fit, but not too tight. You want the patch to hold the solvent, and not be squeezed out by being too tight. Bronze brushes are very good and will not harm a barrel. They do a good job of breaking loose the carbon fouling.

    The best thing is to clean more often before the fouling builds up too much.

    I know this sounds extensive for the average gun, but why not do it right?

  19. #19
    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Hunter63, saying Hey, and Welcome to the forum.
    That was a good complete overview......Thanks.

    Personnely I don't really like bore snakes......No real reason

    Carry this one in my hunting duffel..... handles everything from 12 ga down....204/.17HMR Ruger, gonna have to make different arrangements.
    The take down rod and folder I got at a Walmart.....
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