Wanted to start a thread and hopefully an educated debate on the use of "bore snakes" for general barrel cleaning.

As this topic applies to virtually every type of firearm, bolt actions, leverguns, pistols both semiauto and revolver, rimfires, etc. I figured that the "general discussion" section would be the best section of this forum in which to post.

My general impression of the "bore snake" is nothing but favorable, here's why:

1. They can be used in every firearm that I can think of offhand without the requirement for any disassembly; simply open the action and pull it through.

2. They potentials of muzzle/crown damage, and damage to rifling anywhere throughout the entire length of the barrel is negated as the boresnake is designed to be used by pulling from the breech/chamber area towards the muzzle.

3. A bore snake does not present the problems of a standard cleaning rod bending and rubbing the lands/grooves of the rifling or especially rubbing and damaging the muzzle/crown.

4. As the snake is only meant to be pulled from the breech/chamber towards the crown it does not affect the "lay" of the barrel's metal, i.e. change the wear/"lay" direction from chamber to muzzle which some advocate as a phenomenon that can both affect accuracy as well as increase fouling potential.

5. They are advertised to provide far greater efficiency in cleaning vs. a standard rod with brush, then rod with multiple patches, as the surface area and thus land/groove contact of the snake's "floss" is far greater per pass than that provided by patches.

6. They are super portable; just stuff it in a bag and carry it in your pocket or cleaning kit, or both.

Yes, I have heard/read the stories of people having the snake break off mid-barrel and the subsequent problems associated with removing the broken snake pieces. I think however, that if one is diligent in inspecting the snake for damage before use, and replacing it when any signs of wear/floss breakage that may affect it's tensile strength are evident, that this should not be of concern.

Also, of course, be sure to use a snake that is made for the specific caliber/bore diameter for which it is designed.
I understand also that a bore snake won't do much good for pushing out a plug of mud, etc. from a clogged barrel and that for this purpose a rod is the only practical tool. I am just talking about general, "day to day" cleaning.

As I very much respect the knowledge/experience of this group I just thought that this would be an interesting topic to discuss. Thanks in advance for your valuable input!

I absolutely love bore snakes! It cuts a lot of time off of cleaning a bore. However If you get a lot of copper foweling or other heavy build up you gotta get out the cleaning rod and patches, brushes ect. Down side to a bore snake you cant push obstructions out. Bore snakes also make a nice field cleaning kit they pack easier. Get some thick nasty mud in your bore that creats a bore obstruction, try cleaning that out with a bore snake. I still do "take down" my rifle or handguns when I get home. I clean my glock handguns in about 5 minuits thanks to two items: Bore snake and Strike hold. Dissasemble gun spray everything down with strike hold wipe off run bore snake through barrel assemble gun. Then again I am not worried about haveing a glock you could eat off of. So I would say I am an advocate of bore snakes however it cannot replace a cleaning rod every shooter needs a cleaning rod.

I lik'em. I use them during season if I feel I need to run one through the bore. I don't clean at all during season so this gives me a feeling of caring for my firearm when I am really neglecting it.

Great for range or field. I have one for every caliber. They do not replace, IMHO, a cleaning rod, brush and jag. -Mykal

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Mykal

Love 'em. I have one for every caliber i shoot.

Like you said, you can't beat a rod for certain stuff, but its a great tool.

Theres a guy at the gun shop I go to that swears they are junk because he broke the string off of one in the bore of his rifle.

He tells me that everytime I buy one. Hasn't stopped me yet.

I haven't bought any boresnakes yet. Guess my thinking is old school. I prefer wetting the bore with solvent and seeing what comes out on the patch.

How often do you guys that use snakes replace them? I'm concerned about inbedded particules in the snake scratching the bore/chamber. My thinking using boresnakes are akin to forcing a patch that has been contaminated with dust, dirt, powder, primer and bullet residue down my nice barrel.

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Still Learnin' as I go!

NRA Life Member

I throw them in the washer every once in a while; haven't replaced one yet.

Yup, got them for every caliber and both the 12 and 20 gauge and do wash them once in a while. You can put any solvent on them you like and a drop of oil on the tail puts a light coat in the bore after the initial cleaning.

I really like them when I'm out in the field on a weeks hunting trip. They fit in a small space and do an adequate job of cleaning. I don't beleive they replace a rod or better yet an Outers Foul Out II which cleans down to the bare steel on a bore by plating the lead or copper onto a stainless steel rod suspended in solution in the bore.

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Bob from Idaho

I do the same chuck em in the washer ive got one thats 3 years old and keeps working. I usually spray my bore with strike hold after cleaning. Its a dry lubricant and it is an excelent rust preventitive.

Yup. Wash them occasionally, check the stitching where the cord attaches to the thick end and they should last for years. Absolutely tops for in-the-field use when you're doing lots of shooting. If you are enough of a klutz that you stick your muzzle into mud often, carry a jointed rod - or simply avoid using your barrel as a walking stick.

At home, a high-quality rod does a better job. That's where you should do all your deep cleaning work.

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To see my books and articles, just Google my name.

The German Army uses a version of the bore snake for its service rifles.

Kudu40

Thoughts/opinions about my comment:

4. As the snake is only meant to be pulled from the breech/chamber towards the crown it does not affect the "lay" of the barrel's metal, i.e. change the wear/"lay" direction from chamber to muzzle which some advocate as a phenomenon that can both affect accuracy as well as increase fouling potential.

I was tasked with removing one from a 22 rimfire once. I got past that with success.

I have gifted them to family and friends and am still concidered family and friend.

I don't own one myself.

Someone on this board suggested that a boresnake should be secured to a solid object and the firearm be pulled away from that in a "controled straight-line pull".
I like that idea and recomend it to all that use them.

Cheezywan

Bore snakes will never replace cleaning rods.
They are great for use on the range,and in the field.
But for a good clean,put the gun in the cradle,and use the rod.
Frank

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Frank

I use the bore snakes for most of the calibers that I shoot with. I also have a Otis kit that goes in my range bag with me. It is the same pull through idea with a stainless steel cable that is coated in plastic. The Otis is nice because it takes all the normal tips, such as brushes, patch holders, etc. I got the kit that works from 22 to 12 ga and it is a pretty small little pouch.

I have a similar one to the Otis, although I think it is a different brand. Sure will bail you out in the field if you get debris in the barrel! Been carrying it for years.

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MikeG

Hunting Elk in Montana like I always do as I live here I ran into another hunter a long ways from camp. He had stumbled and ran his muzzle into a muddy creek bank early in the morning. Using his bore snake to try to clear this obstruction was like trying to poke a wet noodle up a wildcats ***. I always cary a take-down cleaning rod in my day pack so I cleaned his bore for him. Does this experience tell you anything? GK, Montana Territory

Hey All, the whole mud in the muzzle thing. A lot of guy here use a strip of electrical tape, accross the muzzle, to safe guard against the odd slip or trip. Does anyone do that in the US? I have a boresnake too.
cheers Brendon

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...all to often, goodluck, is the result of hard work...

Never have, but I have a flexible cleaning rod in the kit and that has been used in the field a time or two (mainly when I've been concerned about moisture from rain or whatnot).

Was rabbit hunting with my dad when he had a problem ejecting a .410 shotshell. Didn't have the cleaning rod then and it took a while to find a branch long and thin enough to poke out the shotshell. With a small bore rifle it would have been a major problem!

It should be easy enough to make an obstacle-clearing rod from some plastic-coated steel cable. At least that would get you to the point a bore snake could take over....

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MikeG

Hi 270 guy, I'm from Canada and I ALWAYS put electric tape on the muzzle. Years ago I slipped and ended up with mud in the bore and another time hunting in deep snow that also got into the muzzle. So for the last 15 years or so I always make it a habit to keep the tape in my kit and on the muzzle. I also use the bore snakes a lot. At the end of the day it's easy to just pass it through the barrel and get rid of the wet condensation especially if its raining or snowing. Highly recommended.