Bore Snakes

Back in the old days some one decided to cram a piece of A$$ wipe down the barrel of a rifle to hold powder in place. I imagine there were hardliners then that said much the same as I am reading here. Snakes I feel, are great for at the range during break-in shooting that new rifle you got. After a few uses soak in hot water with a bit of soap and dry thoroughly then use it again. +1 for every tool having its place. I will however say that bore snakes are a bit pricy for what they are and what they do and how easily they can be lived without. Just my thoughts on it.

Coldfinger said:

Back in the old days some one decided to cram a piece of A$$ wipe down the barrel of a rifle to hold powder in place. I imagine there were hardliners then that said much the same as I am reading here. Snakes I feel, are great for at the range during break-in shooting that new rifle you got. After a few uses soak in hot water with a bit of soap and dry thoroughly then use it again. +1 for every tool having its place. I will however say that bore snakes are a bit pricy for what they are and what they do and how easily they can be lived without. Just my thoughts on it.

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It speeds up the process, and saves patches. Savings, however small, equate to a Boresnake that has paid for itself.

If my gun get dirty, I sell it, and buy another just like it. They made more than one

^^^^^ Exactly. They work well, and I use them, but there is no reason not to have a normal cleaning inventory that includes rods and patches as well.

I bought a bore snake when I bought my Rossi Lever action. NO getting a rod in it from the breach end without fully taking it apart. The rifle it .45 Colt which it the same as my Vaquero's and 1911s. Since I do not want to stand while I clean, the idea of a soaking with oil snake laying on the table possibly picking up NEW crud to run thru, I pierce the end of a patch just enough to run the guide string thru. I wet the patch with Hoppes #9.. pull thru the barrel. remove the offending patch and replace with a NEW patch, also with Hoppes (repeat as required). the final patch get's a Remington oil. YES my snake does pick up a bit of Hoppes and oil. It'll clean. I run 1 patch, throw away. I would not imagine trying to pull the .45 snake thru my 9mm. I'll buy a snake for it soon. Been cleaning it traditionally so far.

460Kodiak said:

^^^^^ Exactly. They work well, and I use them, but there is no reason not to have a normal cleaning inventory that includes rods and patches as well.

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I don't think anyone is pushing that thus far.

Owners usually admit to still using patches and such, its just an easier, quicker way to clean in the field. As I reread this thread, most thatve chimed in advocate that same practice.

I don't believe that patches and rods are quick or efficient at the range anymore that a Boresnake is the end all cleaning answer. They both have a place.

rs7 said:

If my gun get dirty, I sell it, and buy another just like it. They made more than one

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I was at the LGS checking out a gun and I asked the owner(of the GS) if he knew how to strip it and he told me I don't clean guns when mine get dirty I take them to my Smith for cleaning

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=719926&page=4

I reckon so

Duh...as I read it, that guy used a .308 bore snake in a .22 barrel.

When doing an "easy" cleaning of a rifle barrel, I want just a loose patch soaked with Hoppe's to coat the bore. Let sit. Change patch and repeat until the blue copper stops showing. Then I will run a dry patch to remove the excess solvent. I use a simple piece of monofilament fishing line for this with a brass weight on the end.

You need to carefully judge how tight the patch need be. Breaking the line off would be bad.

243winxb said:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=719926&page=4

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Operator error, yet again.

I've still seen no substantiated proof of a Boresnake plain breaking. Showing us pictures of a blatant foul up on the humans part is not proof of it being the Boresnakes fault.

That's like saying guns kill people.

blatant foul up on the humans part

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Yes, proof that some should not own firearms.

243winxb said:

Yes, proof that some should not own firearms.

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Well, I don't disagree. I can even sympathize when that stuff happens, too.

But sympathy doesn't fix lack of attentiveness. Or stupid.

Boresnakes that break are either oversized for the app, or have been used with solvent and are starting to break down, which is NOT how they are recommended.

A Boresnake is to be dragged through with a little oil on the end loop. It will never break in those circumstances, unless it's been worn out to the point of being frayed.

I use them as I leave the range, with the end loop semi-soaked in oil, and it makes cleaning with conventional patches much quicker when I get home.

I am not a hunter, but they would seem to be the ideal tool on a long hunt.

Blue1

243winxb said:

Yes, proof that some should not own firearms.

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I don't know if I'd go that far. people screw up with cars all the time too - which can be just a lethal - and some just need a good object lesson to teach them the proper care and maintenance.

But there are people who own firearms that make me shudder all the same.