Dreaded cleaning question

S

stubbicatt

New member
I have a Winchester 94 in 30-30 which was my father's.

I can see no easy way to clean this rifle from the breech. I have Dewey coated cleaning rods and jags and whatnot. I haven't tried to jam a patch on a jag through the muzzle yet, but it seems the only way to clean the bore. Anybody have any suggestions how to start this process?

I suppose I could use a patch puller, but I prefer jag and brush methods.

I have bore muzzle protectors for Garand and M1A, but nothing similar for these rifles.

Reckon I'd ask what works for others.

Thanks in advance.
 
The last lever gun I had was a Winchester model 88 and I used "wipe out" (foam version) and let it soak for long periods and run a patch down the muzzle sparingly and carefully. I normally use the liquid version but thought the foam would be better for this application. I also have the coated Dewey rods and have cleaned other lever rifles this way. im sure someone smarter than me has a much better idea but that's what I did last time. And btw that "wipe out" cleaner is awesome!
 
You seem to have over-thought the problem. There is nothing wrong with cleaning from the muzzle-end if you take precautions not to wear the bore. Avoid aluminum rods (they oxidize into Aluminum Oxide which is an abrasive), and keep the rod centered with one of cone-shaped cleaning accessories. An awful lot of M1 Garands were cleaned via the muzzle without negative effect.
 
Dewey rods use brass jags plus the rod is covered with a material that will not harm the bore. They are available from MidwayUSA and are a quality product that will last for years. I have three cleaning rods that cover everything I have from a .224" thru a .338" caliber. William
 
Think of all the centuries of cleaning guns from the muzzle end.
That didn't seem to hurt anything.
With a little caution, there's no reason not to do so.
The only way to clean from the breech end on your lever action with rod and jag is to do a complete disassembly and remove the bolt, hammer and other essential parts.
Could cause more trouble than it's worth.
 
Get the barrel from a click type ball point, cut the pointy end back till the hole is big enough for your cleaning rod. Put it on your rod, then your attachment, hold the pen barrel against the muzzle end of your gun and clean away. No muzzle wear. Did I mention that it's free? GW
 
On an expensive high quality target rifle you could damage the crown enough to effect accuracy over a period of time. But given even rudimentary caution you're not going adversely effect the accuracy of a 30-30 by cleaning from the bore.
 
This looks like a good device made by Dewey:
p_749000909_1.jpg
 
Get yourself some good screwdrivers and punch set.

Read up on disassembly and remove the bolt. Model 94's aren't that difficult and it may spark a new hobby, you never know.

With bolt removed, and bolt removed only you can access basically everything you need to get a good cleaning in.

Breach to muzzle. 30 cal jag. I use butches bore shine, followed by clean patches. Then hoppes 9 followed by clean patches. Than Ballistol followed by clean patches. With a brass/ copper brush inbetween where it seems to need it.

Also the rail in which the bolt rides on, their frame mounted by the way. Give them a good once over with some hoppes no. 9. Also bolt, bolt face and under the extractor where it engages (grabs) the case head. This is what I do. Hope it helps. I use just regular brass jags. Made by Hoppes or Kleanbore.

Don't forget to shoot the thing also. The older model 94's are gems in my opinion. Can't hurt it. They were made as tools of the trade and to be used.
 
I use the pull cable types on my lever gun. Remington is selling them cheap right now. I think k I paid $3 each for their version. They have the 8-32 thread like most cleaning accessories. I have a couple of the otis cables as well. They work fine. The Remington ones come with a t-handle, but no attachments. Neither would dislodge a stuck casing.:( Wasn't my rifle. I always have a rod with me, unless I forget it of course.
 
It's a 30-30 deer rifle, not a finely tuned, sub MOA target rifle. Use a little caution keeping the rod centered, use a brass brush, and brass jag with patches, and clean away.
I'll bet that's the way your father did it for many, many years. And probably with much less concern about the type of cleaning equipment he was using.:D
 
Quote: You seem to have over-thought the problem. There is nothing wrong with cleaning from the muzzle-end if you take precautions not to wear the bore.

True. Imagine trying to clean the bore of a revolver from the breech. Some firearms just aren't conducive to being cleaned from the breech (the Remington Model 760 and Savage Model 99 rifles also come to mind). Even without a "crown protector", being careful to center the cleaning rod and keeping it centered with the muzzle while using it will not cause any undue wear to the crown. No worries really if you take care to use the rod judiciously.
 
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