With deer season opening up I've been to the range quite a bit recently. I've always cleaned my guns after each use in the past, but after reading a lot of opinions on here I've been thinking about reconsidering my methods.
One of my concerns is about throat and muzzle wear. Does using a rod to clean really wear that much? And if so, what can I do to minimize the wear? Should one piece rods be uses, fiberglass only, or polished steel or brass or aluminum? What about the boresnake?
In short, whats the best way to clean a gun and minimize barrel wear while at the same time, making sure all the crud is out so that it shoots accurately and the bore doesn't foul or pit?
Usually if I'm cleaning it right after I'm done shooting it, or that same day, here's my method:
Tools: 3 piece bronze cleaning rod, bronze brush of that caliber, nylon bristled brush(or toothbrush), mop attachment for that caliber, cleaning patches, your choice of gun oil.
1. Take a patch and lube it with oil, and run it through the barrel.
2. Use a bronze brush, and push it through and pull it back out once. However, you may need to do it multiple times, 2 or 3 if you shot a ton of rounds or it's been more than a day since you shot it.
3. Take another patch lubed with oil, push it in and pull it out.
4. Now do the same thing with a dry patch.
5. Repeat and alternate with a lubed and dry patches till it comes out clean.
6. I use a barrel mop and sometimes I lightly oil it or none at all, and run it through once.
7. Now that your barrel's done, I take the time to scrub the chamber and some parts of the action with an oiled patch and a nylon brush behind it(or a toothbrush). I avoid the firing pin and anything that might get gummed up though. If you do use oil on these parts, make sure you use a dry patch and wipe it off.
8. Dry off the rest of the oil off the chamber and action.
9. Wipe down the barrel and other external parts with a lightly oiled patch. Then put it away.
That's about the gist of it, there are slight changes for different types of guns(i.e. rifle, shotgun, handgun, Black Powder Revolver)
Yup Boresnakes. If you do use a rod get a one piece. They are better because they dont have the joints that cause wear on the bore. And dont forget the one part ammonia to two parts water to remove copper and corrosive ammo salt.
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Dewey one piece coated rod and a CLEAN boresnake or other pull thru for the field.
Alway use a bore guide with a rod.
CorrosionX is a great cleaner lube and rust inhibitor.
For all you boresnake guys out there, do you use it 100% of the time for all your cleaning, or just quick cleaning?? I'm not sold on using it solely.
I use mine 100% of the time. Even for a trip to the range. They're packaged so conveniently for one and for 2, you don't need a lot of space if say you need to clean your rifle. You don't need the extra space for that long cleaning rod.
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