Bore snake Vs cleaning rod

[James110]

One I've been reading about this evening and wanted to see if more people had an opinion on this.

Firsty, I've only ever used a bore snake on every rifle I've had, never had any issues and the barrel always looks perfectly clean after a couple of pulls through - I normally apply a few drops of cleaning oil to the first part of the bore snake so as it gets pulled through it gets oiled but then any excess is removed by the rest of it after the brush. Also I have washed them a couple of times, although a bore snake has quite a large surface area compared to a cleaning rag so surely it could be used a fair amount before it became inefficient? Most threads I've read seem to say a bore snake should only be used when you haven't got access to a proper cleaning rod but what difference is there?

Cheers,
Jim

 

[slider]

my worry with a bore snake is that if it happened to break in the barrel it would be near impossible to remove.
Keep one in field kit for emergency clean but that's all

 

[Ranger22]

Won't use a boresnake, as above if it breaks/ gets stuck it's very very difficult to remove. How many rifle smiths recommend them?

 

[James110]

Won't use a boresnake, as above if it breaks/ gets stuck it's very very difficult to remove. How many rifle smiths recommend them?

I did think about this actually, my one has a loop at the end which I've tied a piece of paracord to so I could pull it out backwards if it got stuck.

 

[Ranger22]

Good idea, still wouldn't use one. On the PRS website they recommend using a cleaning rod, good enough for them it's good enough for me

 

[shakey jake]

You forgot a third option on the poll not cleaning!!!

 

[markyw]

my worry with a bore snake is that if it happened to break in the barrel it would be near impossible to remove.
Keep one in field kit for emergency clean but that's all

It's ok if you have a cleaning rod to poke it out with

I use both a snake and a rod, depending on situation, location and 'can I be @rsed' factor.

Mark

 

[Mr. Gain]

I've used all sorts of cleaning products, but I am now a total convert to C2R. No more scrubbing, just a little waiting, and a really thorough result.

 

[Alantoo]

I've used all sorts of cleaning products, but I am now a total convert to C2R. No more scrubbing, just a little waiting, and a really thorough result.

Have you compared it with the Tactical Advantage and Accelerator versions of Wipe Out?

I seem to remember reading the initial trials showed C2R about the same or slightly better for copper than the original Wipe Out.

Alan

ps use both bore snake and rod depending on circumstances.

 

[paultap]

When I'm away for a few days stalking, I take a bore snake and use that , otherwise I use a rod, with a shotgun I mostly use a bore snake, however I always buy the genuine hoppes bore snakes and not the cheaper no name ones .

 

[PeterH]

It's ok if you have a cleaning rod to poke it out with



Mark

Mark - I hope that situation never arises, you will realize how inadequate a cleaning rod is in poking out the snake. Our people had a 204 in with this problem - it required drastic action to remove the snake.

The gunsmith's opinion was that boresnakes are a must for shooters ..................for keeping your trousers up

 

[VSS]

The rope part of mine is longer than the length of the barrel, so in order to get stuck it would have to break twice - which would be seriously unlucky, and quite unlikely. I could understand the cord coming detached, but not the rope itself breaking.
If the length of thinner cord were to snap off before the end of the rope had appeared at the muzzle I could just pull it out backwards as there's a enough spare rope still sticking out to facilitate this.

(btw, I use a snake through my .22lr (occasionally - maybe a couple of times a year), and rods through the .243).

 

[tackb]

never owned a bore snake nor will I , if you have a rifle case for your rifle then you can carry a rod with the rifle.

 

[timbrayford]

I use a bore snake after cleaning with a rod, mainly to make sure the bore is dry and free from oil

 

[Pedro]

For shotguns, a bore snake is ideal. Just one tug and it's clean generally, even after use with mucky cartridges. Best thing since sliced bread. I've got them for my rifles, but as yet haven't used anything except a rod. After reading the above comments, I don't know if I ever will.

 

[James110]

It seems there are a lot of concerns about the cord snapping and leaving it in the barrel but there are ways to avoid this and rope doesn't tend to just snap without wear indications. I was more wondering about the cleaning properties of both and if there was a difference between that. Also I suppose I should have put more options on the poll about using both and not cleaning at all..

 

[palmer_mike]

I use a bore snake after cleaning with a rod, mainly to make sure the bore is dry and free from oil

Wouldn't a dry patch or two accomplish that?

 

[Ranger22]

I would agree with the above, takes a few more than two though before they come out clean and dry

 

[timbrayford]

I would agree with the above, takes a few more than two though before they come out clean and dry

That's why I use the bore snake, for this particular task it is quicker & more convenient.

 

[Ranger22]

That's why I use the bore snake, for this particular task it is quicker & more convenient.

each to their own I suppose.