Cleaning Rod/Jag Question

[Darth]

So I've been shooting and cleaning guns for 12+ years now, and I started with the old 3 piece rods, then I moved to bore snakes, then to single piece carbon fiber rods, now I use bore snakes for general cleaning and a rod for a detailed "every once in a while" cleaning. I used to be a perfectionist and would clean until I got a clean-as-it-went-in patch. Those days are long gone. I don't have that kind of time or interest. But I do want to have a "go-to" for a deep cleaning when I need it. I used to use Wipe-Out foaming bore cleaner, but lately I have been considering JB Bore Compound and Kroil.

So I was watching a video today and something blew my mind. Guy was cleaning his barrel with this stuff, and...he pulled the cleaning patch on the Jag back through the bore (stopped it before the patch came out the muzzle) and went back and fourth. This shocked me for 2 reasons. 1) I've never in my life done that because I always assumed the patch would fall off if you reversed directions, and 2) I know the debate "if I switch directions, you will pull the dirt back through and sandpaper the bore with it." I don't buy that second one. I don't reverse brush directions mid bore though.

But that seems like it would really speed things up over my current method of 1 patch, one pass, new patch, new pass, etc.

So that brings me to my question. Do you guys go back and fourth with a cleaning patch, assuming you use one, or only have it go in one direction?

 

[dsdmmat]

I only push a patch one way. I will push and pull a bore brush in both directions.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I have gone two directions when I want to "scrub" some buildup. Also use nylon brushes when it needs more work. I used to use Hoppes. Switched to Butches bore shine. For REALLY hard and heavy carbon I stumbled on CLR (yes, the off the shelf cleaner). Destroys carbon like you wouldn't believe.

 

[Podmonkey]

I jammed a patch in a bore something awful tryiing to do the whole reverse direction before punching out the muzzle thing. I never use anything other than a snake these days. Big advantage of chrome lining too, fouling just dosen't stick.

 

[togmaster]

Are you asking about the old in-out?

 

[Mosinitis]

I use Kroil followed by JB every 500 rds. For .223 it's very important. I go back and forth with JB in the throat area about 10 times then about 4-5 times in the middle and 2-3 times at the muzzle end of the barrel. The trick is to not let the jug come all the way out of the muzzle before you pull it back. This takes slowing down. If it comes out all the way, I don't pull it back.

 

[Darth]

I only push a patch one way. I will push and pull a bore brush in both directions.

This is what I do currently...but why?

It seems like with this bore compound, you'd have to go back and fourth to lap it.

 

[Darth]

I use Kroil followed by JB every 500 rds. For .223 it's very important. I go back and forth with JB in the throat area about 10 times then about 4-5 times in the middle and 2-3 times at the muzzle end of the barrel. The trick is to not let the jug come all the way out of the muzzle before you pull it back. This takes slowing down. If it comes out all the way, I don't pull it back.

Why do you say "for .223 it's very important?"

 

[Mosinitis]

.223 AR, if you don't regularly JB, you will run into pressure problems with hot loads. This is done to get rid of carbon ring in the throat. For an unknown reason this only happens in that caliber. Took a while for folks to figure it out back in late 90's.

 

[Darth]

.223 AR, if you don't regularly JB, you will run into pressure problems with hot loads. This is done to get rid of carbon ring in the throat. For an unknown reason this only happens in that caliber. Took a while for folks to figure it out back in late 90's.

I've got 1000s of rounds through my AR and this is the first I hear of it...

 

[Mosinitis]

I've got 1000s of rounds through my AR and this is the first I hear of it...

There are a number of factors as well. Long lead in NATO chambers makes it more forgiving. .223 shorter throat is less so. The powder used is also a factor. Anyway, 1000 rds is not enough to see it build up.

 

[Twogunwilly]

CLR (yes, the off the shelf cleaner). Destroys carbon like you wouldn't believe

How do you neutralize the acids after?

 

[Podmonkey]

I've got 1000s of rounds through my AR and this is the first I hear of it...

Ditto. 10s of thousands for me. Well, collectively. Though I might have hit 10k in my departed 6920.

 

[Podmonkey]

There are a number of factors as well. Long lead in NATO chambers makes it more forgiving. .223 shorter throat is less so. The powder used is also a factor. Anyway, 1000 rds is not enough to see it build up.

Maybe that's it. All my 223/5.56 guns are NATO chamber. What about the Wylde chambering then?

 

[Darth]

Maybe that's it. All my 223/5.56 guns are NATO chamber. What about the Wylde chambering then?

I'd like to be in Olivia Wilde's chamber.

 

[Mosinitis]

Wylde, CLE, etc. chambers, it's important to follow regular JB routine. Conceivable you can get away without doing it, but many people will run into pressure problems at some point. There is a reason this routine was adopted. Google carbon ring.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

How do you neutralize the acids after?

Brake clean.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

I only use a copper brush with patch at the tip. Make patch big enough to be tight in the barrel. Soak the patch with whatever cleaner you're using. Push through once. Inspect barrel. Keep doing this until the barrel looks shiny inside. Usually only takes 3 or 4 passes.

 

[Darth]

I only use a copper brush with patch at the tip. Make patch big enough to be tight in the barrel. Soak the patch with whatever cleaner you're using. Push through once. Inspect barrel. Keep doing this until the barrel looks shiny inside. Usually only takes 3 or 4 passes.

I'm specifically looking for a deep cleaning/heavy fouling method.

For regular cleaning I use a snake is I have it, or just a few patches.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I'm specifically looking for a deep cleaning/heavy fouling method.

For regular cleaning I use a snake is I have it, or just a few patches.

I havent tried it yet but from reading his posts on the subject I am tempted to try @Carlos Hathcock CLR and brake clean method next time I do a deep clean.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I havent tried it yet but from reading his posts on the subject I am tempted to try @Carlos Hathcock CLR and brake clean method next time I do a deep clean.

I had a used barrel delivered that had excessive carbon on the crown face (muzzle brake). Filled a small container about 1/8" deep and stood it up in there. You could actually see the CLR bubbling the carbon away.

 

[Robin]

Never found the need to use a wire brush in any of my rifles barrels, modern or muzzleloading. I do use them in smoothbores, modern and muzzleloading.
The patch goes one way, from the breech on modern barrels.
Robin

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

I'm specifically looking for a deep cleaning/heavy fouling method.

For regular cleaning I use a snake is I have it, or just a few patches.

Then +1 on the CLR. I actually used that on my silencer baffles a few weeks ago. The thing with CLR though is you gotta babysit it and not leave it in too long. I used it at full strength and left it in for only a couple of minutes. Afterwards you should use a baking soda pregnant solution to neutralize.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Then +1 on the CLR. I actually used that on my silencer baffles a few weeks ago. The thing with CLR though is you gotta babysit it and not leave it in too long. I used it at full strength and left it in for only a couple of minutes. Afterwards you should use a baking soda pregnant solution to neutralize.

What?

 

[Robin]

You mean CLoRox? Yeah, that'll do a number on steel.
Robin

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

What?

Mix water with baking soda.

 

[Vapor]

One direction only, rod never touches the crown if possible, use a bore guide as well.


Back and forth is dangerous, for one, getting stuck...


With a snake I'm still careful to try and not favor once side of the bore or the other.

 

[Jem45472]

What?

If you want to be safe, baking soda solution neutralizes acid, then some clp after.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

If you want to be safe, baking soda solution neutralizes acid, then some clp after.

Never mind.