How well do bore snakes work?

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I make bore snakes that are not bore snakes, the other bore snake reminds me of a feathered duster.

My bore wiping tool is adjustable, it is impossible to stick, it is washable. The down side, it gets dirty in a hurry.

It is not for sale.

F. Guffey
 
I use both simply because it is hard to find chamber brushes for everything I have. If you are not using a chamber brush when you clean your rifle you are only doing half the job.
 
when you clean your rifle you are only doing half the job.

I have found the brush just moves the dirt around, wait, I included the brush, it is the wife that insist the vacuum cleaner is best after I use the brush/broom.

F. Guffey
 
That pic is for .30 in .223. No wonder it didnt work.

I have boresnakes for my handguns and shotguns (I dont have rifles yet), and I've never had an issue.
 
I like using a bore snake with my semi's. When it gets dirty or the least bit worn, I replace it. Sounds extravagant, until you do the math and realize that for a tiny percentage of the cost of ammo, you can always have a fairly new and squeaky clean bore snake.
 
have no idea how people manage to break them off inside of guns, but I wouldn't imagine removing them is much different from pushing a cleaning rod or a dowel down the barrel to force it out.

You apparently haven't read the various threads about trying to remove one. The boresnake is soft, and it tends to expand and grip the bore as you try to force it out. Anything you use to drive it out has to be stiff enough to resist bending and soft enough to not damage the bore. (The example picture shows how many soft rods were required to drive one out. Switch to a new one when it bends and try again...)

If you are lucky, you will never have to experience this. However, there is enough history on these things, which do not involve misuse, that I threw all of mine in the trash and went back to a cleaning rod.

If you need a portable cleaning method, you can get sectional rifle cleaning rods which break down to 8 inches, vinyl-coated for those who worry about the joints having sharp edges, which will fit in any shooting bag or hunting pack.

(As an aside, I consider bore snakes somewhat similar to a wood stove. I know the darn thing is hot, because there is a thermometer mounted on it. I have yet to succumb to the desire to place my hand on it to verify that it is hot. So, the fact that a boresnake can break off and ruin my day is enough for me to condemn the design. I have no need to experience it. :) )
 
I've got one for my .270. I've tried it twice; both times it was so hard to pull through I was afraid it was going to get stuck. I got a patchworm, which has been great for years.
 
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You apparently haven't read the various threads about trying to remove one. The boresnake is soft, and it tends to expand and grip the bore as you try to force it out. Anything you use to drive it out has to be stiff enough to resist bending and soft enough to not damage the bore.

Compressed air. Not 150psi from a regular compressor but 4350psi professional grade scuba tank. That gives you a constant force of 160lbs+ (.22 barrel) to push just about anything out. Obviously you'll need an adapter between scuba regulator threads and barrel threads, as there's no way you can hold it tight by hand.

Whatever is stuck in the barrel, is pretty much bound to come out. If not, loading a custom blank cartridge and firing it is the last resort.

My oldest BoreSnake is Michaels' GunMate 'original' BoreSnake from mid-late 90's, I use a bunch of them weekly and never, ever had one break on me. A number of my friends have messed up with theirs, mainly using too large snake for the bore and I've helped them out.
 
I use bore snakes and never had a issue. But, for deep cleaning, I use an Otis kit. BUT, for the proper use of a bore snake, it may actually help to use the correct size for the caliber your using. Just a note.....:)
 
if you think a 30 cal bore snake down a 223 is hard,just try to use a .30 patch down the same .223 bore. better yet use a .30 cal rod to clean the .223. i only use the bore snake on my shotguns and only as a quick cleaning at the range and use a rod system for the final cleaning at home. eastbank.
 
I have been using boresnakes with no problems since they first came on the market.

I imagine that you would have quite a mess trying to get a .30 caliber brush or swab out of a .223 barrel as well, so why should that be an indictment of the boresnake?
 
I have .22, .30, 9mm, and .45 snakes in my range bag. I also have a 12 gauge snake for my shotgun. They all have different patterns so they are tough to confuse. I use a bore snake after I'm done shooting each of my pistols or rifles at the range for a quick clean. It does not replace a thorough cleaning with solvent, a brush, a good jag and some patches. However, it cleans the bore up enough that I am willing to go several range sessions between cleanings.
 
Bore snakes are great for your range bag but shouldn't replace your cleaning kit. I have a bunch in various calibers.

(They do a great job on revolver cylinders). I usually buy the RIFLE LENGTH ones for ALL applications.
 
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