.30 caliber jag vs. .308 jag

[SilentStalker]

Ok, so here is the deal, I need help. I was cleaning my precision rifle tonight using my bore guide and what not and it seemed like not matter what patch I was using as they are simply .30 cal as well it was having a hard time going through. At the end of he barrel I would get a Ching sound and a jump when it exited the barrel. I started looking and it looked to me like I was using my .30-.32 jag instead of the one marked .338/8 which I am assuming is the one for .308 and .338? I am not sure how that works. Either way I am worried that I jacked something up here. How likely is it that I damaged anything from using a .30-.32 jag with patch? In some cases the jag went all the way through the patch so I am betting there was a little metal on metal. These jags are Tipton jags and shiny. I am guessing aluminum as they are not brass. Help! Did I really screw something up? I don't see any visible damage as best I can tell but this is my 1/4 MOA gun an I am really worried I just totally screwed this rig up.

 

[Reloadron]

Tipton Jags are advertised as Brass plated with Nickel unless you have something different. I have never seen Aluminum? I doubt you damaged your barrel. They should be labeled as: .17, .20, .22, .243/6mm, .25/6.5mm, .270/7mm, .30, .338/8mm, .35/9mm, .375, .40, .44 and .45 jags if you have the full set. For a .308 barrel you should be using the .30 Jag in the set. Anyway, you use a .30 Caliber jag on a .308 rifle. Again, I doubt you damaged the barrel.

What is the rifle caliber anyway?

Ron

 

[stubbicatt]

You want to use the one marked 30 for a 30 caliber or a 308 (same thing for all practical purposes). I am surprised a 338 would even fit in the bore. I would be amazed if you damaged your bore. If you used a 338 and it went down the 30 cal bore, I'll bet you have some neat rifling indentations in your jag, and you must have the upper body strength of Arnold Szwarzenegger.

 

[newfalguy101]

.338/8 would be for .338 and 8mm calibers.

The 30/32 is correct for any 30 Cal bore

 

[adelbridge]

If it shoots the same tomorrow I wouldn't worry about it. Usually the rod bows under too much force

 

[Fremmer]

Take a look at the jag. See any dents or mars or scrapes? That metal should be softer than your barrel, so I wouldn't worry about it, you just used a tight jag.

 

[SilentStalker]

It was the correct one. Sorry i got them confused. I used the one labeled .30-.32. I just had the .338/8 sitting next to it thinking I just rammed it down the barrel. It wa the feel I got when it popped out the end of the barrel that scared me but it is just real tight with the patch on there. Tighter than I thought it would be. My groups opened up a bit today but I am sure that was all me and not the rifle as I did have some 1/4 MOA shots followed by some that were like 2moa which tells me that I most likely pulled the shots or something. Thanks for the help guys. I just get real nervous cramming stuff down a $7000 rifle.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I think if I had a $7000 rifle I would get some cleaning and care information from the manufacturer....

 

[Walkalong]

I just get real nervous cramming stuff down a $7000 rifle.

As well you should.

If the patches are too tight with your jag use a different patch, a different jag, or chuck the jag up in a drill, drill press, lathe etc, etc and use sandpaper to reduce the diameter a hair. You want it snug, but not squeaky tight.

 

[Hummer70]

The best jags I ever found are nylon brushes or bronze brushes. For instance to clean a 30 cal barrel put on a 264 diameter brush and wrap a 30 cal patch around it and apply bore cleaner. Patch won't fall off and gives you a nice snug fit all the way through.

For the 338 I would try and 7MM bore brush. If too loose a 30 cal bore brush.

If on the 30 cal brush the patch fits too tight cut patch in half and wrap it around brush like stripes on a Barber Pole.

The only jags I use anymore are nylon, or stainless and that is to hold wet patches with Humpy's White to remove copper fouling.

http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm check this site out for home made bore cleaners. BTW Ed's Red is a excellent cleaner, lubricant/ preservative and you make all these yourself.

 

[MtnCreek]

to clean a 30 cal barrel put on a 264 diameter brush and wrap a 30 cal patch around it and apply bore cleaner

Kinda similar; I use a smaller cal parker hale with an over sized patch.

S Stalker, I assume you're not pulling the jag back through the bore after it clears the crown, correct?

 

[stubbicatt]

S Stalker, I assume you're not pulling the jag back through the bore after it clears the crown, correct?

I puill the jag back after the patch falls off. Why? Is one not supposed to do this? The Parker Hale jag is significantly under bore diameter, and doesn't appear to touch the crown.

 

[MtnCreek]

I've got a 'stop' set where the tip of the jag clears the crown and the patch just barely clears. There's no contact between the jag and crown. I pull the jag back through the bore and remove / replace the patch after it comes out of the bore guide. Doing this, there's no way I can damage the crown.