Stuck bore snake 629 44

[Newark Devil]

I may have damaged my 629 barrel. I purchased a couple of bore snakes and by accident inserted one from the breech that was too large in diamater.

By the time I noticed it was the wrong size it was good and stuck. I had to yank it out hard in reverse.

How do I tell whether it has been damaged? The bore was either copper or brass so hopefully this helps.

Can I inspect it somehow or just go to the range and see if it is still accurate?

Thanks in adavnce.

 

[AveragEd]

I would be surprised if any damage was done. After all, steel is a lot harder than copper or brass, so the Bore Snake's brushes shouldn't leave any marks on your bore.

I've never used a Bore Snake on anything but shotguns and they do a good job there. I just like cleaning handgun and rifle bores the old-fashioned way.

Ed

 

[DGT]

Agreed, it is hard to imagine that a copper or brass bore snake could damage barrel of a 629.

 

[Newark Devil]

Great, hopefully you guys are on the money.

Everything I have read states to never reverse the bore snake.

I guess the good thing is the bore-snake is copper. I just did a little research and apparently copper is softer than brass.

I also read that alot of gun owners just clean with the rod, pads and either a Hoppes or Ballistol cleaner, whereas bore snakes are typically used on longer rifle barrels.

I got stupid and wanted to clean it after shooting 60 rounds. Should have left it alone. The barrel was probably fine, hopefully it still shoots fine.

 

[StatesRightist]

Great, hopefully you guys are on the money.

Everything I have read states to never reverse the bore snake.

I guess the good thing is the bore-snake is copper. I just did a little research and apparently copper is softer than brass.

I also read that alot of gun owners just clean with the rod, pads and either a Hoppes or Ballistol cleaner, whereas bore snakes are typically used on longer rifle barrels.

I got stupid and wanted to clean it after shooting 60 rounds. Should have left it alone. The barrel was probably fine, hopefully it still shoots fine.

We all screw up, don't beat yourself up. Shine a bore light down it, inspect it well, make sure the pattern in the bore is uniform, I'm guessing it will be and shoot it with no worries. JMO.

 

[A10]

More likely, the bore snake is shot. Brass won't win against stainless. Look for any nicks in the rifling, if you find some (which would really surprise me given the beating the rifling takes during firing) I'd bet they could be fire lapped out anyway.

 

[Newark Devil]

I just picked up a bore light online, never knew they existed. Thanks for all of your help.

 

[jrhoney]

The reason they say never reverse a bore snake is twofold.
First, reversing its direction of travel in the bore ruins the brass bristles on the bore snake making it useless for scrubbing fouling out.
Secondly, you want to pull any fouling in one direction, out the barrel. Reversing the bore snake may leave some fouling behind or at least that it what I observed cleaning my rifle on day.

 

[Irelander]

I wouldn't worry about it. You might need a new boresnake though.

 

[epd1102]

I would say that it probably ruined your barrel and you should sell the gun to me immediately for an incredibly cheap price. I'll buy it to help you out

 

[BSA]

You probably free the stuck bore snake by pouring some solvent or gun oil down the barrel and allowed the bristles to soak for a while.

Next time be more generous with use of cleaning solvent. I routinely use oversize brushes. The downsize is I have to replace them more often.

 

[arc2x4]

You shoot jacketed bullets down the barrel at 1400 fps, and the rifling engraves those bullets as they move on a column of 3000 degree expanding gasses. You expect to do that many thousands of times with little effect on the steel. The bristles of the bore snake will not hurt it.

 

[Roadranger]

What boresnake is bigger than a 44 other than a 480 or 50 caliber? I once pulled a 7mm Boresnake through a 223. That's what happens when one has identical rifles(Browning A bolts) and too lazy or blind to read the barrel markings. I had to put the rifle in a padded vise and wrap the BS cord around a handle to get it through. Fortunately, the cord did not break and the BS was not usable anymore for a 7mm and I had a shiny 223 bore. I've been using boresnakes ever since they appeared with excellent results and have all except the 40mm size. Bob!

 

[Newark Devil]

It sounds like these boresnakes are really pussycats

 

[amazingflapjack]

I like the spiral shaped kleen-bore (sp) attachments, that come sized caliber specific. With a little #9, they really work well. They come in little individual tubes that have the size printed right on them, and you can run them back and forth all you like. Flapjack.

 

[MTKTM]

I use boresnakes in lever-action rifles and shotguns primarily. I will sometimes carry one in the field for a semi-auto or bolt rifle, but don't think I have ever cleaned a handgun with one. I agree with the others, doubt that you have harmed the barrel.

 

[brucev]

Re: OP. No sweat. There is no possible formulation of brass that will damage the bore of a steel barrel. In the future, use the Boresnake for cleaning at the range, etc. However, for thorough cleaning, use a good one piece steel rod with properly fitted brass jags and patches, bronze brushes, etc. HTH. Sincerely. brucev.