Cleaning bore brushes and bore swabs

chris downs · February 24, 2021, 03:52 PM

Do we clean them? With what? How often? Are the answers different with swabs versus brushes?

Bart B. · February 24, 2021, 04:01 PM

Clean the bore brush with carburetor spray cleaner.

Same for swabs if they're not damaged by the cleaner. If so, replace them.

jpx2rk · February 24, 2021, 05:58 PM

I use spray brake cleaner.

Shadow9mm · February 24, 2021, 06:10 PM

I don't use bore swabs. I used a water based bore cleaner, so I just rinse off the brushes and jags in the sink....

Doyle · February 24, 2021, 07:32 PM

No swabs for me. I use jags which hold a little square of scrap cotton cloth (which of course gets tossed after use).

Scorch · February 25, 2021, 07:30 PM

I use bore cleaner to clean my brushes. And I don't use bore swabs, I use a jag and patch to wipe the bore and throw the patch away when I'm done.

Erno86 · February 26, 2021, 01:44 PM

I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner...while wearing eye pro.

RC20 · February 26, 2021, 04:33 PM

As I drizzle the Carbon Killer 2000 onto my Nylon brushes with an eye dropper, they are self cleaning.

Wet patches follow to get the crud out of the barrel until clean, then a dry patch.

February 24, 2021, 03:52 PM	#1
chris downs Member Join Date: January 6, 2005 Location: MO Posts: 91	Cleaning bore brushes and bore swabs Do we clean them? With what? How often? Are the answers different with swabs versus brushes?

February 24, 2021, 06:10 PM	#4
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,603	I don't use bore swabs. I used a water based bore cleaner, so I just rinse off the brushes and jags in the sink.... __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

February 25, 2021, 07:30 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	I use bore cleaner to clean my brushes. And I don't use bore swabs, I use a jag and patch to wipe the bore and throw the patch away when I'm done. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 26, 2021, 01:44 PM	#7
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,779	I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner...while wearing eye pro. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

February 26, 2021, 04:33 PM	#8
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,334	As I drizzle the Carbon Killer 2000 onto my Nylon brushes with an eye dropper, they are self cleaning. Wet patches follow to get the crud out of the barrel until clean, then a dry patch. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

February 24, 2021, 04:01 PM	#2
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Clean the bore brush with carburetor spray cleaner. Same for swabs if they're not damaged by the cleaner. If so, replace them.

February 24, 2021, 05:58 PM	#3
jpx2rk Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2015 Posts: 392	I use spray brake cleaner.

February 24, 2021, 07:32 PM	#5
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	No swabs for me. I use jags which hold a little square of scrap cotton cloth (which of course gets tossed after use).