Bore Snake how to use it

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Ruger 10/22. I use a .20cal bore snake because I'm not fond of inserting the cleaning rod from the muzzle end. It also allows me to quickly clean without removing the suppressor. Don't use the .22cal snake, it's too tight.

I put some Hoppe's on the snake at the front and pull it through very slowly. The crud accumulates on the snake where it gets thicker. Most of the rest of the snake remains relatively clean. If the length of the snake ever gets crudded up, I'll either replace it or give it a good wash in Simple Green.

---Scott.
 
I have had good luck with bore snakes. When they get to dirty and the bride is not home I throw them in the washing machine. They come out real clean.
 
The manual does not recommend that you take it apart to clean it.
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I believe you are mistaken there...

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/407884/Browning-Buck-Mark-22.html?page=17#manual

Page 17 of the manual provides directions for field stripping the pistol for the purposes of cleaning and lubrication. See points 3 and 4. Removing the slide from the frame allows access to the barrel and other areas for more effective cleaning.

They do state that they recommend detail stripping of the gun be done by someone trained and qualified to do it.

A bore snake, as I use them, are good tools for the range in giving a quick cleaning of the bore and chamber (or the chambers of a revolver) to remove crud from the barrel and cylinder holes that may prevent rounds from seating properly. This is fairly common in 22s. Bore snakes do not take the place of a good cleaning of a handgun. A little solvent on the wired end of the snake and pull it through. I use a 22 caliber pistol snake on my 22s.

tipoc
 
I have been using a bore snake in my 5.56 rifles for years.
I was very skeptical at first.
I ran the snake with solvent through the bore twice.
Then passed a clean patch down the barrel just to see if the snake did it’s job.
The patch passed through clean.
I followed this procedure for almost a year.
I wash my snake after every other use.
Just warm water and dish soap and let it air dry a couple of days.
 
It's a good point that you can wash bore snakes now and again. I have a small mesh bag to toss them in. The kinda bag people often wash "delicates" in (an old sock will also work). Then the bag goes in the wash with work clothes, dog towels, etc. This keeps the bore snakes from going where the missing socks go. Line dry.

tipoc
 
When I washed mine, they wouldn't go anywhere near momma's washing machine; rather a small bucket with hot water and Dawn (no substitute). Swish around for a few minutes, drain, rinse, drain, hang to dry.

For those who insist on using them in a .223 barrel, do your self a favor and tie a length of paracord to the back loop end. That way, when the pull cord breaks off with the entire snake in the barrel (and it WILL happen), you have a way to remove the snake by going backwards
 
For those who insist on using them in a .223 barrel, do your self a favor and tie a length of paracord to the back loop end. That way, when the pull cord breaks off with the entire snake in the barrel (and it WILL happen), you have a way to remove the snake by going backwards
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My snakes are long enough if the pull cord broke the snake is still several inches out the other end of the barrel.
My snakes are 36 in plus 32 in pull cord.
They are rifle snakes.
I have often wondered if people use a pistol snake on a rifle and that's why they brake the pull cord off.
 
I haven't seen snakes that long; most can easily break off entirely inside the barrel - and in a .22 or .223, it is real hard to get them out.
 
I haven't seen snakes that long; most can easily break off entirely inside the barrel - and in a .22 or .223, it is real hard to get them out.
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If you are having trouble using the bore snake than a person could stop using them.

It will require more force, some strength, to pull a bore snake through a 20" rifle barrel then through a 5" pistol barrel. This is because of the amount of surface being contacted by the material. More drag on one then the other.

To say that "most break off entirely inside the barrel" is an exaggeration and an obvious one.

WHO OWNS THEM?

The original Boresnake was developed by Michaels of Oregon and sold by Gunmate. I don't know exactly what the relationship was or is. For awhile after this Kroll was selling them under the Boresnake name somehow. Same product. Hoppe's has acquired the product now and has added more variations. They still make the original simple Boresnake but more complicated versions have been added for more money. Stick with the original I think.

Otis also makes a version and their pull through kits are very good.

tipoc
 
It's not out of context...you said "most break off". I quoted the entire post so it's hard to take that out of context. Maybe you mis-spoke and meant something else or you didn't intend to exaggerate.

Maybe you meant "one broke off on me" or "I heard of them breaking off and so watch out for that" or something else. But you didn't say that, you said..."most break off". Maybe you didn't intend to exaggerate but you did. I can understand that. Here's a smiley face so you know I'm not trying to hound ya. :D

tipoc
 
I have five .22LR handguns, four semi auto and one revolver. Cleaning the bore consists of pushing a patch soaked in Hoppe's using a piece of nylon weed eater string, one time. That's it. Multiple tens of thousands of rounds total in these handguns.

Only one of my .22 handguns has had a bronze brush down it's bore, and that's only because I had a squib load that stuck a bullet, and a follow up shot leaded the bore so badly you could no longer see the rifling. Cleaned it all out, no damage, pistol is just as accurate as before. I got lucky.
 
Bore snake cleaning

I like and use bore snakes. There I said it.

To clean your bore snakes all you need is an empty 1 gallon plastic jug with a screw on cap. Put the snake in the jug or several of them. Add a healthy shot of Dawn dish washing liquid and fill the jug 3/4 full of HOT water. Put cap on jug and shake shake shake. Follow with a couple of HOT water rinses.

Hang em up and let them dry for a couple days,

Like new clean boresnake...no angry wife when she catches you abusing the washing machine.

Hard to beat a boresnake for my trap guns.
 
most can easily break off entirely inside the barrel - and in a .22 or .223, it is real hard to get them out.
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Tiptoc, let me make it easier for you to see; never said they did, they will, but they CAN..........and IF they do, and the snake is in the barrel completely, you are hosed trying to get it out.
 
I use a product called CLP with my Boresnake and it works great! It's a cleaner, lubricant, and protector all in one!i use it long guns, pistols, just about anything where two pieces of metal rub together! I even use it on Leatherman multi tools to keep them operating smoothly!
 
Great idea with the milk jug, ricklin. I've been wanting to clean my bore snakes but I was afraid to use the wife's washing machine. You're a life saver.
 
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