Bore Snake idea

quietman · 09-17-2009, 12:37 AM

Thought I'd pass this along. This is on a 30AW .30-.30 with a 20" barrel.

Stopped by Sportsman's Warehouse today and bought a can of Knockout (foaming bore cleaner that removes copper also).

I really didn't feel like removing the bolt. Also didn't feel like running the snake through and picking up all the nasty crap and knockout with the snake. So I tried this instead.

1. Sprayed the barrel / throat with knockout and let it sit the required time.
2. Measured off the black "floss" section using the barrel so I could tie a half hitch around a patch and have an inch of it hanging out with the patch sitting just at the forward end of the chamber.
3. Pulled the patch through until it cleared the barrel and the untied the knot.
4. Pulled the floss section back through the barrel and tied on another patch.
5. Repeated 2 through 4 until the patch was almost clean.
6. After untying the last patch, continued to pull the snake through the barrel.
7. Pulled the snake through twice more for a total of 3 passes.

Result- the throat / bore is as shiny as a mirror. The snake is still clean with the only Knockout residue noticeable in the small black floss, which is easy to rinse / wash out. Don't have to wash the entire snake yet.

The patches pulled through easier than the rest of the snake, and with about the same resistance as using a rod.. The knot was always easy to untie. I got to where I could tie on a new patch faster than I can stick one in the standard patch holder on a rod.

I really like the Knockout, it did a great job with minimal fuss.

About the longest barrel you could do this with and not get the front end of the braided area of the snake in the barrel when pulling the patches is a 22" barrel. Of course you could also put a small split shot on a string and use it to pull a patch through, but I don't have any laying around the house right now.

I may stick with this idea as this is one way to clean on a regular basis without causing wear to the throat or crown from a rod.

Mooseman684 · 09-17-2009, 12:42 AM

I just toss my Boresnake in a sock and throw it in the washing machine after it is used...or Wash it by hand in the sink with some dawn dish soap...I dont have time to Floss...LOL

GlockMeister · 09-17-2009, 01:54 AM

First off Quietman, hello and welcome to G&G.

I guess I do it the hard way then. I clean my boresnakes in the sink with dish soap (cuz it's made to cut grease, all be it the cooking kind) and let it hang dry overnight.

If I did it in a sock and the laundry, it'd sit for a week or or so cuz I'm not and can't afford to just wash that one item. lol But it sure does sound easier.

And quietman, seems it would have been just as easy if not easier to run the boresnake as it was to do what you did. I mean, the boresnake is already made. lol

09-17-2009, 12:37 AM	#1
quietman Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 55	Bore Snake idea Thought I'd pass this along. This is on a 30AW .30-.30 with a 20" barrel. Stopped by Sportsman's Warehouse today and bought a can of Knockout (foaming bore cleaner that removes copper also). I really didn't feel like removing the bolt. Also didn't feel like running the snake through and picking up all the nasty crap and knockout with the snake. So I tried this instead. 1. Sprayed the barrel / throat with knockout and let it sit the required time. 2. Measured off the black "floss" section using the barrel so I could tie a half hitch around a patch and have an inch of it hanging out with the patch sitting just at the forward end of the chamber. 3. Pulled the patch through until it cleared the barrel and the untied the knot. 4. Pulled the floss section back through the barrel and tied on another patch. 5. Repeated 2 through 4 until the patch was almost clean. 6. After untying the last patch, continued to pull the snake through the barrel. 7. Pulled the snake through twice more for a total of 3 passes. Result- the throat / bore is as shiny as a mirror. The snake is still clean with the only Knockout residue noticeable in the small black floss, which is easy to rinse / wash out. Don't have to wash the entire snake yet. The patches pulled through easier than the rest of the snake, and with about the same resistance as using a rod.. The knot was always easy to untie. I got to where I could tie on a new patch faster than I can stick one in the standard patch holder on a rod. I really like the Knockout, it did a great job with minimal fuss. About the longest barrel you could do this with and not get the front end of the braided area of the snake in the barrel when pulling the patches is a 22" barrel. Of course you could also put a small split shot on a string and use it to pull a patch through, but I don't have any laying around the house right now. I may stick with this idea as this is one way to clean on a regular basis without causing wear to the throat or crown from a rod.

09-17-2009, 12:42 AM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,442	I just toss my Boresnake in a sock and throw it in the washing machine after it is used...or Wash it by hand in the sink with some dawn dish soap...I dont have time to Floss...LOL __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

09-17-2009, 01:54 AM	#3
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 10,365	First off Quietman, hello and welcome to G&G. I guess I do it the hard way then. I clean my boresnakes in the sink with dish soap (cuz it's made to cut grease, all be it the cooking kind) and let it hang dry overnight. If I did it in a sock and the laundry, it'd sit for a week or or so cuz I'm not and can't afford to just wash that one item. lol But it sure does sound easier. And quietman, seems it would have been just as easy if not easier to run the boresnake as it was to do what you did. I mean, the boresnake is already made. lol __________________ "The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." "Edmond Burke"