The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Just after some advice I have tried a few of the cheaper cleaning rods in the past and have been disappointed some of them have been rubbish quality and on further inspection some of them haven't even been straight so I have decided to pay a little more for a better rod can and one offer any advise as to which one to go for it will only be used on my .22lrs.

Easy don't clean a .22 & if you feel you have to just bore snake it.

I would disagree with that. Rimfire ammunition is some of the dirtiest you can get. Fast powders that leave residue and carbon as well as lube from the bullets and sometimes the whole case. Likewise, nothing will destroy a crown like a Boresnake if used sloppily or incorrectly.

I used Parker Hale rods for years, but recently got a couple of Tetra rods which seem very good. Problem is the brushes for such are U.S. With the brush being the make and the rod female. I've heard you can get adapters for the U.S. rods that allow the use of PH brushes which are do much more easily found in the UK.

Fair comment about incorrect use of a bore snake, but is it really necessary to clean .22's, thought it was general practice not to?

Sim G wrote:I would disagree with that. Rimfire ammunition is some of the dirtiest you can get. Fast powders that leave residue and carbon as well as lube from the bullets and sometimes the whole case. Likewise, nothing will destroy a crown like a Boresnake if used sloppily or incorrectly.

I used Parker Hale rods for years, but recently got a couple of Tetra rods which seem very good. Problem is the brushes for such are U.S. With the brush being the make and the rod female. I've heard you can get adapters for the U.S. rods that allow the use of PH brushes which are do much more easily found in the UK.

I have one of those adapters. or the opposite one.
I bought a Hoppes kit when I started out with all the brushes and jags, then the rod broke (cheapy one) and got a PH one which had the opposite thread so got an adapter.

I rod my target rifle through properly ("general practice" aside. I was told that the GB squad clean their rifles so that everytime they get down to shoot, it starts in the same condition - my dad however, I don't think he's cleaned his Anschutz in the 31 years he's had it). The HK416 gets bore snaked every time I shoot it, but with very careful consideration to the crown when pulling through. always perpendicular to the crown.

Sim G wrote:I've heard you can get adapters for the U.S. rods that allow the use of PH brushes which are do much more easily found in the UK.

Aye.

Every day a skool day - I use a lot of the adaptors on the UK rods I have to allow fitting of the US type mops/jags.

Not a huge outlay & you only buy them once...I feel I may be getting another speshul PM soon. Oh joy!

The German VFG system looks interesting too, but not cheap in the UK - best sourced from the EU suppliers

I've probably posted this before, but here goes anyway: Bert Brookes died a few years ago, well past normal retirement age. He had his dream job----running the customer test range at Eley. Day in, day out, Bert shot .22 rifles to match them with batches of Tenex so that the customer could reserve the entire batch that performed best in his rifle. Cleaning regimes were, of necessity, a source of great interest. Berts recommendations were as follows.

Do not clean too often.
The bullet lube system is critical and unique to the brand and type of ammunition---if the ammo is changed, the barrel must be thoroughly cleaned with solvent and patches. Do not use bronze brushes.
After cleaning, do not expect the rifle to produce its best groups straight away. From 5 to 10 shots minimum are required to condition the bore to the lubrication system.
After a shooting session, push two dry patches through the barrel.
If the ammo is not changed, thoroughly clean the barrel about once a year.

Advice from a man who new what he was talking about and is much missed.
Fred

I purchased the Napier universal pull through kit & have to say, been pretty pleased with its easy of use & contents. I tend to do a clean every few hundred rounds but going to extend that to 1000 I think. I do give it a wipe down after use & every other time, I use the Napier field wipes on all the metal parts I can get to.

To get back on topic, have a look at the Proshot stainless steel rods. I recently got one from Spud 1967 and am very happy with it.