17 hmr - Cleaning Rod or Bore Snake?

[Musketeer]

I would appreciate some advice. Up until now I have cleaned the barrels of both my Tikka .17hmr rifles using patches, jag and patches, but the rubber/plastic coating bunched up in the barrel and jammed the rod.

I got it out, but now the rod is unusable, should I get a replacement or would a bore-snake do the job?

Many thanks.

 

[Koenig]

I use both on my CZ. The boresnake (get a good quality one) for a quick clean and a rod and patch for a proper dig out as and when required. Different tools for different jobs really.

 

[DVS1]

The amount of unburnt powder left in a HMR barrel can make a bore snake an irritating episode trying to get it down the barrel! I use a rod and one patch clears the unburnt powder.

 

[rabbit]

Tipton carbon fibre rod , not the cheapest but the best there is , i used to use dewey but found the black plastic/rubber coating on it gave false info on how dirty the barrel was

 

[Howe1401]

Bought a good bore snake and never had any issues, simple and effective.

 

[Millarsru]

I use normal .22 patches cut in half. Quick dip into some bore cleaner then a push through with the rod seems to work quite well.

 

[Londoner]

I like boresnakes. When used properly are very effective. Depending on how much shooting you do, you might never need to use anything else!

 

[Musketeer]

Bore Snake now on order

 

[bobjs]

When using the bore snake ?

Just a tip for you leave the mod on so that you are not pulling the snake over the crown, and try and do it in one movement, i had to burn a bore snake out for a chap a long time back and yes his 17 hmr is stil shooting straight many years later,

Bob.

 

[Miki]

Stainless rod from Pro-Shot. Cleaning a bore-snake is much more work that disposing of dirty patches

 

[Pedro]

Bore snakes are a real nuisance to initially drop through the bore of something like a .17hmr. Drive you insane. Rods all the way. Leave bore snakes for your shotguns.

 

[Woodmister]

i had a brand new boresnake snap in my shotgun, never again will i buy one for any of my guns.

absolute nightmate to get out.

 

[User00035]

I use rods and patches for deep cleaning but run a bore snake through if the rifle's been out in damp weather.
As rabbit says, don't buy cheap plastic coated rods. They all rumple up eventually.

 

[paulbshooting]

I use both. Bore snakes for quick clean, often late at night after rabbiting. Every so often then clean with pro shot rod and kit, as I do with my CF rifles.

 

[Rusty Gate]

Rod when you've time & space to care properly, the snake is handy if in the field if you want to make sure it's still dirt free

 

[enfieldspares]

I used Snakes with things like a Winchester '94. Elsewise ALWAYS a good quality cleaning rod. Which means something else other than a yellow plastic coated Parker Hale rod!

 

[bluesako]

never used one, never will, horrible things bs

 

[Briandb9]

Brand new .17 tried the boresnake ........well I wish I could have a video of of episode.

The videos on Hoppes.com make it look so easy !

1 boresnake well and truly stuck, I appealed for a crotchet needle to try hook it back out, but no joy, I left it overnight dripping oil into the barrel, no joy, a mate said use a piece of wood to wrap round the snake to get more leverage .......no joy.

Finally in desperation I laid the rifle down placed one foot on the front of the stock and the other ......on the brand new scope. I then twisted the thing like I was trying to wring the neck of the tax man, I pulled and I had movement!
Out the flamin thing came.

Never again ! I guess I will now have to go back to the range and zero all over again as scope is likely to have moved - think positive I didnt have to burn the fecker out !

 

[kripton]

Try Alan Rhone - he sells a stainless rod using felt wads (a bit like felt air rifle cleaning wads) - VFG rod, adapter and felts. - two grades of felt, one for serious fouling and one gentler version. Sams system also recommended for larger calibres from Schultz and Larsen.

 

[Cooter]

I always pull the snake through after an outing to remove the loose dirt, and give it the occasional deep clean which takes no time at all as there isn't as much fouling.
Never had a problem using the bore snake, but it can take a little patience to get the tang through the bore if I have put a lot of rounds down range.

Stainless cleaning rod and use the nylon brush first, as I find it has less tendency to deflect from straight as there is less resistance, then patches until I'm happy with it.