Rifle cleaning brushes

[J Miller]

It seems that every time I go to clean my rifles I pick up the loosest fitting bore brush in the box. Then I have to dig around for a less used one.

I've decided that the next time I buy brushes I want to buy a bulk pack of the things.
Normally I buy Kleen Bore brand cos that's what my rod is and I don't know what the thread pitch is. No confusion that way.

What do you guys who shoot a lot buy as far as brass/bronze bore brushes?
What brand(s) do you find to last the longest?
Where can you buy them in multiple packages to save a buck or three?

Joe

[Old Savage]

Personally with a few rifles with 1000 to 1450 rds through them I never use brushes and they all will do and inch or better. I use Sweets or Cr10 to remove the copper then Breakfree or Hoppe's or the like or Shooter's Choice ( think that tends to have less shot deviation with a first shot after cleaning). Just cottton patches.

[3leggedturtle]

I found copper "chore boys" and just wrap a little around a decent fitting brush, and then follow up with patches soaked with FP10 followed by a few dry ones.

[jnyork]

Buy 'em bulk from Brownell's, I use the Dewey brushes to fit my Dewey rods.

[Chas.]

I found copper "chore boys" and just wrap a little around a decent fitting brush, and then follow up with patches soaked with FP10 followed by a few dry ones.

Couldn't have said it better....except I use CLP instead of FP10. And I don't clean every time I shoot one. I just clean maybe a couple of times a year.

[Malamute]

It seems that every time I go to clean my rifles I pick up the loosest fitting bore brush in the box. Then I have to dig around for a less used one.
Joe

If you don't want to use the worn out ones, throw them away, then you wont grab one when looking for a good one.

I keep my brushes and jag tips in a small compartmented tackle box, the pocket sized one. Its simple to keep them separated for sizes, and worn ones could be put in one section. I use a couple worn ones for wrapping a patch around when cleaning black powder pistols, but if they aren't useful, you may as well throw them away.

I think most cleaning brushes are a standard size at this point, other than the odd looking military ones with the long shank made for the M-16 cleaning rods. I use those rods, but have the adapter to use standard rod tips. I recall years ago that one commercial maker used a different size, but I don't recall them being around in ages.

[6pt-sika]

I get either Dewey or Pro Shot brushes buy the dozen in whatever calibers I have .

[J Miller]

Could be they are standardized now, don't know for sure.

I never throw a brush away unless it's totally totaled. Generally you can use them for other things besides bores.

jnyork, will check them out.

Joe

[J Miller]

I get either Dewey or Pro Shot brushes buy the dozen in whatever calibers I have .

Where?


Joe

[salvo]

Joe, I by whatever brand, I can find in the caliber needed and they fit.
If you want to extend the life of your brushes, spray them out with break cleaner after you use them.

[J Miller]

Joe, I by whatever brand, I can find in the caliber needed and they fit.
If you want to extend the life of your brushes, spray them out with break cleaner after you use them.

Scott,
I do that when I think of it. I'm just trying to get a handle on who carries the stupid things in bulk packages.

I suppose in lieu of that I'll snag a bunch next gun show I go to. Next month I think.

Joe

[jnyork]

I'm just trying to get a handle on who carries the stupid things in bulk packages.

Brownell's, Joe, Brownells.

[Ray Newman]

Midway sells Tipton brushes singly and in packages of 3 and 10.

And as salvo posted, spraying the brush with a cleaner after brushing will extend the useful life of the brush.

[6pt-sika]

I get either Dewey or Pro Shot brushes buy the dozen in whatever calibers I have .

Where?


Joe

Dewey can be gotten from Brownell's and I think Midway !

Pro Shot I usually pick up at gunshows . Here in Virginia usually someone is selling Pro Shot products at every show !

[Modoc ED]

Joe -- Your thread size for your rods is 8x32. Get all you want at Midway, Brownells, and the like.

I like the new-fangled (recent-fangled) pull through ropes with the built in bore brush. I use em regularly and get great results. Fast and easy to use. I only go to the rods after 500 or so rounds for a get down to the bare bore cleaning, then foul the bore with about 5 shots and then back to the pull through rope/bore brush for another 500 rounds.

I get good accuracy using this method.

[Bruce]

I have not used a brush in the last few years, except on newly acquired (used) guns that have a crude buildup that you can visually see. Once I discovered how good Wipe Out is, there is no need for brushes anymore. However, I do use many more patches now than in the past. It takes more because the Wipe Out works.

There is a liquid version in addition to the foam and I use it more often than the foam, but both work well. As the add says, try it on a barrel that you think is clean. I did, and threw the other cleaners away.

http://www.sharpshootr.com/wipeout.htm

[Old Time Hunter]

I buy the .50 caliber size new and by the time I throw them out, they are loose in a .30-30. When too big for the .460, they go to the .452, then the .446, then .432, then .402, then .377, then .358, then .338/331, then .323, and finally .311...pretty ugly once they get down to that size. Cost me a buck each at the gun show loose/no name.

[Arminius]

I tend to disagree.

Tipton best brush set, with brass shank and brass core. Packed in a way, caliber is easily identified.

When the bristles are too laid back, scrubbing action is nil ... discard them before this.

Use Jags and top quality patches, and brushes only when heavily leaded ...

Hermann

( Break Free and brushing WILL get your bore cleaner - the Mil thought it that way, and it still works )

Brushes LOOSEN dirt, Patches take and transport Gunk out of the bore!!

( spray through or brush with oil, and then gun muzzle down, will get gunk out, also! )

NO dry patches until Bore is clean, or you´re lapping the bore!

[Malamute]

Joe, I by whatever brand, I can find in the caliber needed and they fit.
If you want to extend the life of your brushes, spray them out with break cleaner after you use them.

An old friend showed me the trick of using the smallest jar he could get (he used a mayo jar) and putting Coleman fuel in it. He dipped his brushes in it to clean them. I did it for a long while, but fell out of the habit. It does seem to make the brushes last longer.

Brake cleaner can be some nasty stuff.

[J Miller]

Joe, I by whatever brand, I can find in the caliber needed and they fit.
If you want to extend the life of your brushes, spray them out with break cleaner after you use them.

An old friend showed me the trick of using the smallest jar he could get (he used a mayo jar) and putting Coleman fuel in it. He dipped his brushes in it to clean them. I did it for a long while, but fell out of the habit. It does seem to make the brushes last longer.

Brake cleaner can be some nasty stuff.

I use my Coleman fuel in my camp stoves and lanterns.
Yep break clean "is", never mind "can be" some nasty stuff. But it works and if used carefully outside is no problem.

It's only when you chase spiders around the basement with it cos your wife hates them is when you get stoned in a hurry. After that I told her to make friends with the spiders or kill 'em herself.

Joe