Cleaning - Okay to Pull Bronze Brush Back Thru Bore?

whitefish · December 6, 2009, 11:01 AM

I've been cleaning my rifles the same way now for years. When I get to the stage of using a bronze brush, I always push the wetted brush down the bore, take the brush off the rod, and start over again at the top. My theory has always been that I'm pushing stuff down the bore and keeping it out of the action. Also, I figure there is less chance of damaging the crown this way (if thats even possible with a bronze brush).

Then I was watching Darrel Holland (on an AGI video) cleaning a match .308 rifle, aggressively pushing and pulling a bronze brush through with little concern. So I'm wondering...is pulling a brush back up the bore anything to really be worried about?

fastforty · December 6, 2009, 11:18 AM

The problem with reversing the brush comes into play when you do it midway down the barrel. It can get stuck if you do that.

whitefish · December 6, 2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

The problem with reversing the brush comes into play when you do it midway down the barrel. It can get stuck if you do that.

Yup - I've read to always make sure the brush has cleared the bore before I reverse it.

Also, I'm using a bore guide.

Old Grump · December 6, 2009, 12:56 PM

That is why I use a snake on everything but my 22, my brush only goes the same direction as my bullet.

Dfariswheel · December 6, 2009, 08:14 PM

This is personal preference, and your cleaning method.

You can pull the brush back, but some people don't because it can spray dirty solvent into the action.

I've gone to PULLING the brush through the bore.
When you push a brush or patch through, the rod flexes and bumps against the bore.
While this does leave rifling marks on the rod, I'm not sure what, if any real harm this does to the bore, but pulling the rod eliminates all barrel contact.

whitefish · December 7, 2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

This is personal preference, and your cleaning method.

You can pull the brush back, but some people don't because it can spray dirty solvent into the action.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Dfariswheel, if I use a bore guide, this pretty much seals up the action and throat, doesn't it? There wouldn't be an issue of solvent spraying into the action. I have the barrel tilted to that the solvent always runs out of the barrel and not into the action.

Dfariswheel · December 7, 2009, 09:17 PM

Then is really is a matter of your preference.

**Shane Tuttle** · December 7, 2009, 10:14 PM

I'm not too concerned with solvent entering the action. Cleaning the bore is my first step. After that, I'm going to thoroughly clean the action anyway and inspect. You're not doing anything wrong with your method. I don't necessarily agree with said method. But like Dfariswheel basically said, we have our own preferences. If you want my viewpoint, I don't see how running the brush through one way cleans the backside of the lands/rifling. On the other hand, if you're running it through the same direction as the bullet travels, I guess you're cleaning the area where the bullet would make contact anyway and the rest is moot.

One observation: It's not so much the bronze brush that damages the crown, it's the steel end of the brush dropping down on it as the brush leaves the bore. Even if your brush is made completely of bronze, I use caution to keep the joint where the brush threads against your rod.

whitefish · December 8, 2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

If you want my viewpoint, I don't see how running the brush through one way cleans the backside of the lands/rifling.

Good point. Not to mention that simply pulling the brush back through is a heck of alot easier than unscrewing, pulling the rod out and rescrewing the brush on.

I'm using a Dewey coated rod and all brass brushes.

jborushko · December 8, 2009, 12:48 AM

*shrugs* i detail strip pretty much every weapon when i clean them... every time

celtgun · December 31, 2009, 04:14 PM

For less tha $10 the MTM Bore Guide does a great job of protecting chamber throat and action/stocks from solvents. A partial solution, another old trick is to store long guns muzzle down so oil does not run into stock.

"A gentleman will seldom, if ever, need a pistol. However, if he does, he needs it very badly!" Sir Winston Churchill

drail · December 31, 2009, 04:44 PM

Big +1 on storing long guns muzzle down. It keeps oil from draining into the wood and keeps dust and grit out of the bore. Just be sure to set the muzzle on something that will not hold moisture, like carpet. I use pieces of rubber mat cut into small strips.

December 6, 2009, 11:01 AM	#1
whitefish Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 100	Cleaning - Okay to Pull Bronze Brush Back Thru Bore? I've been cleaning my rifles the same way now for years. When I get to the stage of using a bronze brush, I always push the wetted brush down the bore, take the brush off the rod, and start over again at the top. My theory has always been that I'm pushing stuff down the bore and keeping it out of the action. Also, I figure there is less chance of damaging the crown this way (if thats even possible with a bronze brush). Then I was watching Darrel Holland (on an AGI video) cleaning a match .308 rifle, aggressively pushing and pulling a bronze brush through with little concern. So I'm wondering...is pulling a brush back up the bore anything to really be worried about?

December 6, 2009, 11:18 AM	#2
fastforty Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1999 Location: In a kornfield in kalifornia Posts: 1,161	The problem with reversing the brush comes into play when you do it midway down the barrel. It can get stuck if you do that. __________________ When Banjos are outlawed, only Outlaws will have Banjos The Bible is my lawbook. I turn the other cheek when applicable, and spend the rest of my days resisting evil at every front, until I have breathed my last breath.

December 6, 2009, 12:56 PM	#4
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	That is why I use a snake on everything but my 22, my brush only goes the same direction as my bullet. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

December 7, 2009, 10:14 PM	#8
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,443	I'm not too concerned with solvent entering the action. Cleaning the bore is my first step. After that, I'm going to thoroughly clean the action anyway and inspect. You're not doing anything wrong with your method. I don't necessarily agree with said method. But like Dfariswheel basically said, we have our own preferences. If you want my viewpoint, I don't see how running the brush through one way cleans the backside of the lands/rifling. On the other hand, if you're running it through the same direction as the bullet travels, I guess you're cleaning the area where the bullet would make contact anyway and the rest is moot. One observation: It's not so much the bronze brush that damages the crown, it's the steel end of the brush dropping down on it as the brush leaves the bore. Even if your brush is made completely of bronze, I use caution to keep the joint where the brush threads against your rod. __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

December 8, 2009, 12:48 AM	#10
jborushko Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2009 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 469	shrugs i detail strip pretty much every weapon when i clean them... every time __________________ EDIT: yeah i always "edit" my posts

December 6, 2009, 08:14 PM	#5
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	This is personal preference, and your cleaning method. You can pull the brush back, but some people don't because it can spray dirty solvent into the action. I've gone to PULLING the brush through the bore. When you push a brush or patch through, the rod flexes and bumps against the bore. While this does leave rifling marks on the rod, I'm not sure what, if any real harm this does to the bore, but pulling the rod eliminates all barrel contact.

December 7, 2009, 09:17 PM	#7
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Then is really is a matter of your preference.

December 31, 2009, 04:14 PM	#11
celtgun Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2008 Location: SE North Carolina Posts: 203	MTM Bore Guide For less tha $10 the MTM Bore Guide does a great job of protecting chamber throat and action/stocks from solvents. A partial solution, another old trick is to store long guns muzzle down so oil does not run into stock. "A gentleman will seldom, if ever, need a pistol. However, if he does, he needs it very badly!" Sir Winston Churchill

December 31, 2009, 04:44 PM	#12
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	Big +1 on storing long guns muzzle down. It keeps oil from draining into the wood and keeps dust and grit out of the bore. Just be sure to set the muzzle on something that will not hold moisture, like carpet. I use pieces of rubber mat cut into small strips.