Boresnake vs. bore brush

Which is better?

  • Boresnake

    Votes: 14 24.1%

  • Bore brush

    Votes: 22 37.9%

  • Both

    Votes: 22 37.9%
  • Total voters
    58
  • Poll closed .
I use both. I have a lever action rifle that the bore snake enables easy cleaning from the breach, where a brush doesn't allow.
I tend to use the bore snake as a quick cleaner & the brush for a more serious cleaning session.
I have bore snakes in .17, .22 & .30 caliber. The .17 bore snake is the only really tight fitting bore snake that I own, & it does sometimes feel like it may break in my .17hmr. To alleviate the problem I crimped the wire brush part of the bore snake with pliers & this made it a bit easier to pull through.
 
I make a bore snake, impossible to stick in the barrel, there is something that can be said for cleaning the barrel from one end to the other at the same time, it beats the patch on the end of the cleaning rod.

F. Guffey
 
I straddled the fence on those bore snakes a long time. I didn't want one for serious cleaning, just a quick removal of loose debris, cobwebs, and whatever else may have found it's way in there. I feel like I cheated the odds- I buy one caliber smaller than the rifle it's intended for, ie: .17/20 cal for .223 rifles and pistols, 7mm for .30 cals, and .40 for .45's. I never expected to use one for serious cleaning anyhow, so they serve my purposes.
 
Boresnake

I use a boresnake on my 12 ga. target shotgun. I don't think I can get the bore any cleaner than a few passes with the snake. I put CLP on the snake ahead of the bristle portion. My bore is pristine.

A handy tip to clean boresnakes. An empty gallon jug with a big slug of Oileater and a quart of very hot water. Put that all in the jug along with the boresnake and shake it. Follow with a couple of hot water rinses using the same method. Wring out the boresnake and hand it out to dry for a few days. Looks just like new.
 
Boresnake VS, bore brush

Never will i use a boresnake again, Toke my and my son 4 days to get it out, get it out with a small fishing hook.The gyt at ruger told me to try it, if it didnt work, to send it into ruger.
 
I use both.

Bore snake is used at the range prior to packing up, or for just a quick cleaning if its going to be shot again soon. My thorough cleanings at home always are done with the rod and brush/patches.

I like the idea of using the snake on guns you otherwise need to clean from the muzzle, though.
 
I bought a Boresnake for my .17HMR, and the weight wouldn't fit into the barrel. I returned it. The guys at the Gander Mountain service counter actually looked embarrassed when I explained the problem.

And yes, it was a .17 caliber Boresnake.
 
I also use both. I will use the snake for a quick cleaning at the range. But I do still clean it with brush and solvent every now and again.
 
I don't think anything can replace my brush and patches. Never used a bore snake. Would be interested In one for those quick cleans but other than that I love my bore brush and patches
 
I've never had any problems with my boresnake. I run it multiple times, before and after I fire. I'm anal about keeping the bore clean, for proper barrel break in. I clean every few shots, usually while the barrel is still warm, so the grime doesn't build up. I wont argue getting in there with pads and a brush is superior, but it's a pain when you want to clean as often as I do.
 
I use a Hoppes bore snake on my AR, and to date have had no problems. I have to admit that I had not considered the possibility of the snake breaking. My plan is to tie some fishing line on the tail of the snake. If the snake breaks, I will have fishing line already attached and won't have to fish it out like guns54 had to. My bore snake has a loop on the end, so tying some fishing line on the tail will be easy. I believe this will work if the snake breaks. Comments please.
 
Not as perfect as it seems

I'd been using the regular patch and rod set up since I started shooting. Then I heard about bore snakes. I figured why not? It's not like it will hurt anything. So I bought one and used one on my .22lr, and stored it for a month. When I took it out to do a maintenance cleaning, I decided to use a rod and patches. I could not believe what I was looking at when the patches came out!! They were just about 100% BLACK with fowling!!! RIDICULOUS!!

So, now I always take the extra time to clean it the old fashion way. Remember the old saying "You can have it done quickly, cheaply, or properly: pick any 2." Although the "cheaply" part doesn't really apply to this, you get the idea.

Ken B.
 
Bore snake caused me lots of problems. Tho it was .223/5.56 it was too large and got so lodged in my barrel I had to take it to the gunsmith in town to dislodge it - something I don't do lightly.

I won't use it again.
 
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