Solvent on bore snake?

M14 · November 16, 2010, 07:21 PM

I recently bought a bore snake. The directions do not mention applying solvent or oil to the snake before using it. I did oil the bore after using it. What do you guys do? I don't want to start a discussion of bore snakes versus traditional cleaning methods.

wogpotter · November 17, 2010, 09:34 AM

I wet the part before the bristle brush well with a gentle cleaner, something like Hoppes #9, (the strong high speed low drag ones with lots of ammonia rot the brush bristles) & then wash it as soon as possible after use.

Poodleshooter · November 17, 2010, 10:47 AM

There are directions with the bore snakes?
How many steps can that have, 3? Apply solvent to snake, drop brass weight down bore; pull through bore till clean

Anyway,apply solvent to the snake. Otherwise there's no carrier for the powder fouling,and no way to remove copper fouling. You wouldn't just use dry patches with a regular rod, why run the snake dry?

zippy13 · November 17, 2010, 11:12 AM

As M14 mentioned, the instructions don't reference using any fluids. I give the bore a shot of solvent and the snake's floss area a shot of oil.

Webleymkv · November 17, 2010, 11:52 AM

I apply a bit of solvent to the portion of the snake that goes in before the brush and a bit of oil to the loop at the end of the snake.

wogpotter · November 17, 2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

the instructions don't reference using any fluids.

Interesting. They used to back when I got mine. hat was where I got the info to wet the portion before & the brush itself.

I wonder why the reference was changed? Was it when BoreSnake, the original maker, got taken over? Maybe because of the brush eating issue?

divil · November 17, 2010, 12:48 PM

I can also confirm that they don't mention using solvent or anything like that in the instructions. I thought it was strange too.

zippy13 · November 17, 2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

I wonder why the reference was changed? Was it when BoreSnake, the original maker, got taken over? Maybe because of the brush eating issue?

Were earlier Bore Snakes made with bronze brushes instead of plastic?

mumbo719 · November 17, 2010, 06:09 PM

Currently Eezox

Ledbetter · November 17, 2010, 07:21 PM

I always wet the brush with some Breakfree CLP.

Toolman · November 17, 2010, 08:36 PM

I have used breakfree on boresnakes for all my guns for several years & had no problems. I shoot almost every weekend. One thing I do, is I have a boresnake that is weapon specific for my 'critical' guns. I only use that particular 'snake' on that particular gun, nothing else.
I'm not a match shooter. I don't swab the bore after each shot or handload each round while at the range. I shoot for my own recreation/enjoyment. It's not a job or competition to me. I compete against myself.
At the very least, once a year I give all my guns the traditional detailed bore cleaning.
I recently read that there's a new boresnake on the market....haven't tried it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

shogan191 · November 17, 2010, 09:23 PM

I've never seen a boresnake with plastic bristles.

I use solvent in the barrel and after using the snake a couple of times, I apply oil on a cotton buffer and finish the barrel.

wogpotter · November 18, 2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Were earlier Bore Snakes made with bronze brushes instead of plastic?

I've had several under the original BoreSnake brand & they all had metallic bristles. I guess brass, or bronze because I had one damaged by the aggressive ammonia cleaner I used. I recently replaced the .22 one I keep in the case with a current model & I just checked now. It also has metallic bristles. The brush design seems different now though with 2 short brush sections instead of one long(er) one? No cheap bloody plastic here!

KBP · November 23, 2010, 02:02 PM

I just bought my first boresnake in almost 50 years of shooting. What is the big deal? I don't see and big benefit other than maybe cleaning out cobwebs in an old barrel! If you put solvent on one part and oil on the other part of the snake, what you got is a messy rope that you have to clean! Isn't it easier to run a few patches thru the barrel with solvent then oil and throw them out? Why spend $10-$20 for a foot or two of rope? Kind of reminds me of soap on a rope, only for rifles!

Ken

thesheepdog · November 23, 2010, 02:15 PM

I use some break free, then run the BS through till the barrel sparkles.

camelshark69 · November 25, 2010, 06:28 PM

The great thing about bore snakes are that they clean so efficiciently. run it through your barrel twice and ur done. no need to deal with patches. Boresnakes, id say, are one of the best inventions. honestly i havent cleaned mine in over a year and they clean my barrels like new everytime.

Combatshop · December 4, 2010, 05:13 AM

Quote:

I just bought my first boresnake in almost 50 years of shooting. What is the big deal? I don't see and big benefit other than maybe cleaning out cobwebs in an old barrel! If you put solvent on one part and oil on the other part of the snake, what you got is a messy rope that you have to clean! Isn't it easier to run a few patches thru the barrel with solvent then oil and throw them out? Why spend $10-$20 for a foot or two of rope? Kind of reminds me of soap on a rope, only for rifles! Ken

No its not as good as traditional cleaning but its a great quick way to clean. No field stripping means no re-zeroing. Great for light shooting. Heavy shooters should clean using traditional methods every so often.

I use with Breakfree too.

November 16, 2010, 07:21 PM	#1
M14 Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2006 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 110	Solvent on bore snake? I recently bought a bore snake. The directions do not mention applying solvent or oil to the snake before using it. I did oil the bore after using it. What do you guys do? I don't want to start a discussion of bore snakes versus traditional cleaning methods. __________________ Strangers in the night exchanging tracers.

November 17, 2010, 07:21 PM	#10
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	I always wet the brush with some Breakfree CLP. __________________ Regards, Ledbetter from thefiringline TFL #4573 NRA for Life Winchester Canyon Gun Club for Life

November 17, 2010, 08:36 PM	#11
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	I like using boresnakes. I have used breakfree on boresnakes for all my guns for several years & had no problems. I shoot almost every weekend. One thing I do, is I have a boresnake that is weapon specific for my 'critical' guns. I only use that particular 'snake' on that particular gun, nothing else. I'm not a match shooter. I don't swab the bore after each shot or handload each round while at the range. I shoot for my own recreation/enjoyment. It's not a job or competition to me. I compete against myself. At the very least, once a year I give all my guns the traditional detailed bore cleaning. I recently read that there's a new boresnake on the market....haven't tried it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

November 23, 2010, 02:02 PM	#14
KBP Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Luthersburg, PA Posts: 311	Boresnake- gimmic or improvement? I just bought my first boresnake in almost 50 years of shooting. What is the big deal? I don't see and big benefit other than maybe cleaning out cobwebs in an old barrel! If you put solvent on one part and oil on the other part of the snake, what you got is a messy rope that you have to clean! Isn't it easier to run a few patches thru the barrel with solvent then oil and throw them out? Why spend $10-$20 for a foot or two of rope? Kind of reminds me of soap on a rope, only for rifles! Ken

November 23, 2010, 02:15 PM	#15
thesheepdog Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 1,996	I use some break free, then run the BS through till the barrel sparkles. __________________ Krav Maga/Judo Qualified Rifleman/Marksmanship Instructor/Lic. Medic "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" Romans 8:1

November 17, 2010, 09:34 AM	#2
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	I wet the part before the bristle brush well with a gentle cleaner, something like Hoppes #9, (the strong high speed low drag ones with lots of ammonia rot the brush bristles) & then wash it as soon as possible after use.

November 17, 2010, 10:47 AM	#3
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	There are directions with the bore snakes? How many steps can that have, 3? Apply solvent to snake, drop brass weight down bore; pull through bore till clean Anyway,apply solvent to the snake. Otherwise there's no carrier for the powder fouling,and no way to remove copper fouling. You wouldn't just use dry patches with a regular rod, why run the snake dry?

November 17, 2010, 11:12 AM	#4
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	As M14 mentioned, the instructions don't reference using any fluids. I give the bore a shot of solvent and the snake's floss area a shot of oil.

November 17, 2010, 11:52 AM	#5
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	I apply a bit of solvent to the portion of the snake that goes in before the brush and a bit of oil to the loop at the end of the snake.

November 17, 2010, 12:48 PM	#7
divil Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Posts: 506	I can also confirm that they don't mention using solvent or anything like that in the instructions. I thought it was strange too.

November 17, 2010, 06:09 PM	#9
mumbo719 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2008 Location: Tampa Bay, FL. Posts: 346	Currently Eezox

November 17, 2010, 09:23 PM	#12
shogan191 Member Join Date: July 28, 2010 Posts: 27	I've never seen a boresnake with plastic bristles. I use solvent in the barrel and after using the snake a couple of times, I apply oil on a cotton buffer and finish the barrel.

November 25, 2010, 06:28 PM	#16
camelshark69 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 113	To KBP The great thing about bore snakes are that they clean so efficiciently. run it through your barrel twice and ur done. no need to deal with patches. Boresnakes, id say, are one of the best inventions. honestly i havent cleaned mine in over a year and they clean my barrels like new everytime. __________________ "Si Vis Pacem, Parabellum" S/A XD-9 sc; S/A G.I. iss. 1911 .45; DPMS AR-15; Romanian WASR-10 AK-47; Savage 30-06'; Savage .22; Remington 700, .308 SPC tactical.