Best one-piece cleaning rod

[bk42261]

Hey all, I need a new cleaning rod (for rifles from .22 to .45 cal.) Should I get a "plain" stainless or a coated one? Any knowledgable replies are welcome.

 

[Naybor]

You want to get one that won't damage the bore. Brass, aluminum or fiberglass.

Insert from the back end if possible to protect the front crown.

The "old fashioned" way was a strong piece of braided fishing line with a nail weight on one end and the patch tied on the other. Used that method for years.

Nother thing you may want to get is a couple of bore snakes in different sizes, IMHO.

 

[dfariswheel]

No brass, no aluminum.
These are soft enough that grit can embed into the rod and scratch the bore and the delicate muzzle.
This is counterintuitive. It would seem that a soft rod would do less damage, but a grit embedded rod becomes a lapping rod that can ruin a barrel.
You'll never see a Match shooter or benchrest shooter using aluminum or brass rods, or screw-together rods.

Most Match shooters use either one-piece stainless steel or carbon fiber.
Coated rods coatings never stay on all that well.

Many Match shooters are going to carbon fiber for one reason: Either the rod is perfectly straight, or it's broken.
The top brands are Dewey and Tipton.

 

[45crittergitter]

+1 on the carbon fiber

 

[rcmodel]

I have had very good luck with two KleenBore one-piece Stainless Steel rods.
Been using them in the shop for 8-10 years now with nary a problem.

http://secure.armorholdings.com/kleen-bore/product386.html

I do not like coated rods, as the coating eventually gets nicked and gouged, and then they trap grit.

I have not tried carbon-fiber rods, as I can't find a good reason to replace the old SS ones I have now.

rc

 

[joed]

I use Dewey one piece rods in my rifles. Used them for years with no problems to report. These have the handle on ball bearings. It comes down to preference and I just don't like 3 piece rods as one always breaks.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

I like my Tiptons!

 

[kimbernut]

Dewey

I've been using the same Dewey coated rod on my rifles for 13 years. I've seen no problem with the coating at all- just like the firearms they're used for you got to keep them clean too. I just got two new shorter Dewey coated rods one for carbines and another for handguns.

 

[ranger335v]

I have three Deweys, bought long before MidwayUSA brought out their Carbon Fiber rods. IF I bought a new rod that's what I would get; it will either be dead straight or broken but never bent.

And get a bore guide to help center what ever rod you get.

 

[788Ham]

I use "ONLY" Dewey carbon fiber rods in my firearms. I've used the two I've got for 4 years now, never had one problem, none.

 

[jester_s1]

Those jointed aluminum rods have ruined many good barrels over the years. The two defining qualities of a good rod are stiffness and smoothness. I like the Dewey, but I am meticulous about keeping it clean and never scraping it on the rifling. If it gets frayed, it will become abrasive. A super stiff rod and a bore guide will likely keep you from ever having to replace a barrel.