BIGDOC
US Veteran
Question to all...how many of you use a BoreSnake type barrel cleaner and if you do after how many rounds and is it your primary barrel cleaner ? is it good /bad ?
Cleaning with Boresnake
- Thread starter BIGDOC
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I use them when it's not convenient to carry a cleaning rod and all the other necessities for proper cleaning. Better than nothing. 
I always do the usual cleaning when I get back home.
I always do the usual cleaning when I get back home.
mckenney99
Member
They are perfect for a quick pull through on .22lr's and shotguns, especially immediately after finishing firing while the fouling is still warm and soft. Most of my .22lr pistols and rifles haven't seen a cleaning brush or rod in years. I may also take a toothbrush to the bolt or breechface to remove fouling there. For years, I shot 2 to 4 rounds of trap a week, with a Rem. 870 Wingmaster and only pulled a boresnake through the bore at the end of the night and wiped the exterior down with a Rigrag wipe. At the end of the season I did a complete disassembly and cleaning. For other centerfire firearms, the only thing a boresnake really does is remove some of the carbon/powder fouling when used immediately after shooting. My feeling is that most centerfire firearms are going to require a normal cleaning with rods, brushes, solvent and patches to get them thoroughly clean. Boresnakes dry, do nothing to remove jacket fouling.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 9,199
- Reaction score
- 11,415
If you're serious about cleaning, get good equipment. It's not expensive. Bore snakes might be okay for some sort of emergency field uses at best.
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- May 23, 2001
- Messages
- 1,488
- Reaction score
- 1,095
Bore snakes were originally intended to be quick field cleaners for when you didn't have a full cleaning kit with you.
They were never intended to be a prime cleaner, or to be for long term use.
Whatever you think of them, one consideration you need to think hard about is with the smaller caliber snakes....... how are you going to extract it if/when it breaks off in the bore.
These snakes deteriorate with age and use, especially if you launder them and keep using them. They were not intended to be used more then a few times.
In larger calibers they can be used safely longer, but in small calibers it's a real risk to use them more then a few times.
Sooner or later the snake will get weak enough it'll break off as you pull it.
The bristles prevent reversing it and when you try, the other end breaks off.
The snake manufactures have NO recommended method of extracting one.
Probably the best way to extract one is to make up a muzzle loader type patch hook and pick it out a piece at a time.
Failed methods are melting/burning it out, soaking with oil and pulling, using compressed air to try to blow it out, and using a cleaning rod to push it out...... all fail, and the melting/burning method coats the barrel with melted nylon which isn't easy to remove.
So, bore snakes were intended to be an expedient cleaner for use in the field or hunting camp, and do NOT do a very good job of actually cleaning a barrel.
Since every time you pull it through, you're dragging the fouling right back in, this is rather like rolling around in a hog yard, then taking a fast shower with your clothes on.
They were never intended to be a prime cleaner, or to be for long term use.
Whatever you think of them, one consideration you need to think hard about is with the smaller caliber snakes....... how are you going to extract it if/when it breaks off in the bore.
These snakes deteriorate with age and use, especially if you launder them and keep using them. They were not intended to be used more then a few times.
In larger calibers they can be used safely longer, but in small calibers it's a real risk to use them more then a few times.
Sooner or later the snake will get weak enough it'll break off as you pull it.
The bristles prevent reversing it and when you try, the other end breaks off.
The snake manufactures have NO recommended method of extracting one.
Probably the best way to extract one is to make up a muzzle loader type patch hook and pick it out a piece at a time.
Failed methods are melting/burning it out, soaking with oil and pulling, using compressed air to try to blow it out, and using a cleaning rod to push it out...... all fail, and the melting/burning method coats the barrel with melted nylon which isn't easy to remove.
So, bore snakes were intended to be an expedient cleaner for use in the field or hunting camp, and do NOT do a very good job of actually cleaning a barrel.
Since every time you pull it through, you're dragging the fouling right back in, this is rather like rolling around in a hog yard, then taking a fast shower with your clothes on.
+1 on most of the advice above. I carry one when hunting for the rare occasion I might have rain, snow, or mud 
in the barrel. Never used one for that purpose, but I feel better. 
in the barrel. Never used one for that purpose, but I feel better. 
9mmPatriot
Member
I pull one thru my EBR after every trip to the range. Bolt gets a quick shot of solvent and a light coating of oil.
A semi-annual deep cleaning when the snow is flying and I'm all caught-up on Honey-Do's.
A semi-annual deep cleaning when the snow is flying and I'm all caught-up on Honey-Do's.
OP
BIGDOC
US Veteran
Thanks for the input guys, I like to clean after every range day and I bought one on a whim and never just "ran it through", still gotta clean.
I've been using bore snakes for years and really like them. You have to remember to put them in the washing machine every so often or you are just re-depositing dirt.
I carry one in my shooting box for 9 mm and .22 but my primary method is with a brass cleaning rod.
The bore snake cuts down on the accessories I need in my bag.
I carry one in my shooting box for 9 mm and .22 but my primary method is with a brass cleaning rod.
The bore snake cuts down on the accessories I need in my bag.
mckenney99
Member
Very hot water in a ZipLoc baggie with a squirt of Dawn Dish Washing liquid soap. shake vigorously and let sit overnight. The next day, rinse well and hang up somewhere to dry. This does a very good job of cleaning Boresnakes of grit, grime and goo. I have used the above method to clean my 12ga and 20ga and .22lr Boresnakes repeatedly. If you are married and you run your Boresnakes through the washer or dishwasher, I guarantee your better half will not be happy.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The only bore snake I own is for a 12ga shotgun. I like to run it through in the field at the end of the day. I then clean the gun well when I get home. I guess that's in line with most of the replies above.
9mmPatriot
Member
Fot those that are unfamiliar with boresnakes...
Hoppe's™ Boresnake - YouTube
Hoppe's™ Boresnake - YouTube
LittleCooner
Member
Being a gun nut for the past 60+ years. I have alway thought that a bore snake was just another gimmick to seperated the unknowing from their folding money. If you think otherwise, that is ok, its your money. I have rods in the gun room and a supply of most every type cleaner on the market, so they got my money for chemicals, not a rope. I have never had a barrel destroyed for waiting to be cleaned between the range and being back home, so I will live out my days without the necessity item of a bore snake.
9mmPatriot
Member
Horseless carriage
Talking pictures
Color TV
Red dots
Cell phones......
Just because it's "new" doesn't mean it's either good or bad. It's a hit for some, not for others.
Bottom line, try one yourself.
Talking pictures
Color TV
Red dots
Cell phones......
Just because it's "new" doesn't mean it's either good or bad. It's a hit for some, not for others.
Bottom line, try one yourself.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,773
- Reaction score
- 31,541
Bore Snakes are good for a quick "Field Cleaning" when hunting on multiple days when you will be shooting the same gun the next day. When hunting you will typically only fire a few rounds.
It is also OK if you come home from a Range session and only have a few minutes to spend cleaning a gun - then a quick Bore Snake cleaning will hold you over until you get a change to clean it with the traditional methods and tools.
I had a few friends who only used Bore Snakes and never use their cleaning rods, bronze brushes and solvent soaked patches. When I showed them just how much dirt and debris came out after I use a rod, brush, patches and solvent right after they thought their guns were clean - they usually got it! One still insists on only using a Bore Snake - hey, they are his guns and his choice.
To me a Bore Snake is a superficial, quick cleaning job that will hold one over until a proper job can be done the next day or so. I carry a few caliber BS's in my shooting bags just for those times or if my gun gets wet while in the field hunting.
It is also OK if you come home from a Range session and only have a few minutes to spend cleaning a gun - then a quick Bore Snake cleaning will hold you over until you get a change to clean it with the traditional methods and tools.
I had a few friends who only used Bore Snakes and never use their cleaning rods, bronze brushes and solvent soaked patches. When I showed them just how much dirt and debris came out after I use a rod, brush, patches and solvent right after they thought their guns were clean - they usually got it! One still insists on only using a Bore Snake - hey, they are his guns and his choice.
To me a Bore Snake is a superficial, quick cleaning job that will hold one over until a proper job can be done the next day or so. I carry a few caliber BS's in my shooting bags just for those times or if my gun gets wet while in the field hunting.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2021
- Messages
- 5,128
- Reaction score
- 8,855
I use them After using good bore brush and solvent in cylinder and barrel, then run a Kroil rag through. El cheapo wally world brake or carb. cleaner does most of the work.
