Does anyone else have a problem getting a .22 jag and patch to actually go through a .22? I have had two plastic jags break trying to use them and thought about getting a brass one but wonder if I need to go to a smaller .17 to get it and a patch to go through the gun.

The key for me is to get the patch, preferably cotton, cut to the correct size prior to insertion. The brass jags are a bit more durable vs plastic for sure. I usually crown the sharp edges on the sides of the brass jags (near the patch slot) before I use them, just to eliminate any edges, and to "downsize" them a bit.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

A 'proper' 22 patch is only about 0.4-0.5 square based on any I've bought that were suppose to be for a 22. Even then, it helps IF you use a pointed jag rather than a rounded point style.

If you go the .17 cal. tip route you will have to use a .17 cal. cleaning rod as well.

Cut the patch smaller or turn down the tip might be your best options.

The patches I have are about 3/4" square and the plastic, pointed jag would not easily go through which is how I broke two. Right now I am just using a slotted jag and brass brush.

I use a brass 22 jag and find that the supposed 22 cal patches on the market are too tight for easy use. I can see where the plastic jags would break trying to push one into the bore. I always end up cutting the factory patches down @ a third to get them to work without excessive pressure.

In many years of shooting and cleaning 22's the only patches I've ever had that were a perfect fit were some really old Hoppes brand I got at an estate sale in a box of assorted gun stuff I bought. They were round (not square like all the modern ones I see) and worked perfectly with my 22 jag. I suspect they were from the 50's or early 60's, came in a small cardboard box, about the same size as a small Hoppes solvent bottle used to come in. The only precut round patches I ever see nowadays are for loading round ball in muzzle loaders, not for gun cleaning.

Sounds like the correct .22 brass jag is my best choice as long as I cut down the patches small enough.

I use old white tee shirt material and cut all my patches my self.
A brass jag would be a good idea as well. I bought a whole set, when my local gun shop sold out.

One technique for better patch fit is to pierce the patch off-center nearer one of the corners of a square patch and more to the edge of a round one.

This still gives full size patch contact in the bore but eases getting it in and through.

Another way is to buy a .20 caliber jag, but you have to use a .17 caliber rod because of the thread size.
You can also reduce the diameter of a .22 jag by gently chucking it in a drill and using a smooth cut file to turn it down slightly. Just run the drill and apply the file a little.

I use Dewey brand Brass loops and have pretty much stopped using Jags. Nothing wrong with Jags, I just like the loops better. HINT: Before using any brass or aluminum Jag or Loop, use a fine piece of sandpaper, a Dremel Moto-tool, a wire wheel, etc. to take off all burs before using. This gets rid of any sharp edges that could catch. If the Jag or Loop is still too large and is causing too much resistance, you might be using the incorrect size patches or ones that are too thick. You can also sand down the diameter of the Jag or Loop a little - that will make things easier as well. They are cheap enough!

I wet my cleaning patches with the same stiff I use on black powder gun patches. 1/3 rubbing alcohol. 1/3 Murphy's oil soap, and 1/3 hydrogen peroxide. I keep a small spray bottle full. Once clean another with the lightest mist of Kroil

I use old T shirts. All patch material is not the same thickness.

I take a .27-.35 caliber patch and cut them into 4 equal squares, pretty much exactly as 505Gibbs says. I always use a plain brass jag, not plastic, and never nickel-plated. My .02, FWIW.

I have used both .22 plastic and aluminum jag tips. Prefer aluminum. I have not used cloth patches for anything in a great many years, I just tear patches to size for the caliber from paper toweling.

Paper toweling works once you understand that the purpose of a patch is to carry clean solvent in and dirty solvent out.

Rubbing some cloth down a steel bore isn't doing much.

I still use cloth, but I go to a fabric shop or Walmart and buy a yard of white cotton flannel and cut my own patches.
I also used to make my own silicon cloths from cotton flannel, liberally sprayed with silicon and stored in plastic bags.
Once the cloth showed any dirt, I'd pitch it and make another.

Just picked up a .22 brass jag and will give it a try after I hit the range. I'll start with the .22 patches I have (3/4" X 3/4") and see what happens. If it is still a challenge, I try cutting the corners off the patches to get closer to round.

Finally remembered to post that the brass jag was a success even with my 3/4" square patches. Snug enough to push out some small lead shards but did not jam up in the barrel or break.

BTW, I just want to mention that all cleaning patches re NOT created equal! Some patches of a particular size are different thicknesses than others of the same size. They are also made out of different materials which have different properties. There are twill, 100% cotton, synthetic, single ply, heavy duty, etc.

In general I find Brownell's 100% cotton and 100% cotton twill to be some of the better ones. For 22's I actually use a single ply 100% cotton round patch rated for .270 caliber. I do not push the patch through the bore, I pull them through. I do push them through revolver cylinders (from the rear) and they work excellently. I also use Dewey Brass Loops and sand all of the rough edges and manufacturing marks off before using a new one.

Finding the proper type, brand and size of patch for each caliber is essential for proper and hassle free cleaning. Once I find the perfect patch, I buy them in bulk bags of 1,000 patches through Brownell's.

It’s a common problem with the 22 rods and jags. In order not to risk damaging the bores on my 22 rimfire pistols and rifles I am using 17 rods and jags and nylon brushes. I got tired of cutting patches in addition to the risk of damage. The 22 stuff works good with the 22 center fires, bore is larger and the chamber area makes it easier to get the patch started.

All of the rimfire bench shooters at the Club used 1/2 inch patches and pointed brass jags and bore guides. No problems. Sounds like Your patches are too large. I buy the large patches and cut them to size for every gun I clean.

Some patch companies specify whether their patches are sized for round or looped jags.

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Todd

I use this on my SW22 Victory and the work fantastic. BORE-MAX(R) SPEED JAG™ & PATCHES — REAL AVID(R)

If you drop down to a .17 caliber brush you may need to get a threaded adapter as well.

Since acquiring a Vudoo, I've become a convert to the Tipton felt pellets for cleaning. They came with a "jag" that allowed you to screw the pellets onto it. Just another point of information to add more confusion to the vast profusion of .22 cleaning lore.

You may want to try "Bore-Smith" triangle patches from Amazon. They work great. They are caliber specific.

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436