Author Topic: One Piece Cleaning Rods? (Read 649 times)

one$$shot · « **on:** January 20, 2006, 03:36:03 AM »

Which one is best? I'd like one for my 243 handi and not a general purpose one size fits none. Some say brass is better than stainless steel is better than plastic coated is better than teflon coated...

mitchell · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2006, 04:54:38 AM »

i'm a plastic coated user and NEVER stainless steel

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2006, 06:19:15 AM »

I use the one-piece Dewey rods, but they are 8-10 years old. The newest thing is the carbon fiber (I think that's what they're made of) from Tipton. I read somewhere that the US military uses them in the desert because they are non-embedding, which meaans that stuff doesnt get stuck in the rod to be dragged through the bore.

I have gotten into the habit of wiping the rod off with a wet patch after each stroke, unil I get to the last few dry patches.

one$$shot · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2006, 06:38:14 AM »

I see the carbon fiber rods advertised for $40.00 ouch! One manufacturer claims the plastic coated rods will pick up metal particles that will remain embedded into the plastic coating. Others say to use teflon coated rods that remain clean.

I dunno!

Mac11700 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2006, 06:50:09 AM »

If you use a bore guide of some sort in your rifles..there is nothing wrong with using a good un-coated stainless rod.I've used them for years and haven't hurt anything yet... If you get in a hurry, you can cause damage to the rifling with them easier than a carbon or brass, or wood rod. It doesn't matter what type of rod you use,they all need to be cleaned off somewhat between swabs down the bore.A good stainless rod is cheaper than the carbon ones...each have their good points.I also recommend using a vice of some type to secure the barrel in when cleaning..it helps me a-lot using it and I can line up the rod a-lot easier when lapping and cleaning..

Mac

one$$shot · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2006, 07:52:21 AM »

Can brass harm the inside of a barrel? Can stainless steel harm the inside of a barrel? I'm curious about the intricacies of cleaning rods. Using a three piece cleaning rod that keeps coming unscrewed and is about a foot longer than I need it to be is no fun. It's also nice to have something that's a little easier on my palm. A smaller size patch would help here but may not clean as well.

jgalar · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2006, 04:15:23 PM »

I had some spare cash and bought a Tipton carbon rod. I have since replaced most with the carbon. The're expensive but should last forever.

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2006, 04:34:12 PM »

ANY rod can damage the bore if it's not used with care. You need to think about what you're trying to accomplish by cleaning, and what can happen along the way. You need to develop a technique that will get the rod through the bore with a minimum of flex, using a guide is the easiest way but I use my fingers tas a guide on a Handi.

One way to cause damage would be to induce enough flexing of the rod either inside the bore or at the chamber; even when using a softer material such as brass damage can occur by abrasion, as for example happens if there are tiny bits of abrasive material on the rod. The primer residue is very hard and abrasive. The line-type cleaning kits can wear the chamber or the muzzle too, if they're not pulled straight through and are allowed to rub the metal. friction-caused heat can damage metal too.

JMHO, but I think that it's best to use a rod sized correct for your bore, together with a good pierce-type jag and cotton patches, all properly sized for the bore you're after.

I use a 17-caliber rod and jag double-patched to clean my CZ rimfires, which have very tight bores. The 17-cal rod would work fine for 20-caliber bores too. I use the 22-cal. rod for all fo my other rifles, including my 45-70. I
I like the Dewey stuff but I haven't looked at the Tipton rods to see if they will accept the Dewey line of jags; I suspect that if they don't there are adaptors made by Dewey that will allow their use on the Tipton rods.

I like the Dewey stuff because of a lot of little things--for example the edges of their jags are radiused this allows them to be withdrawn back thriugh the bore after the foreward stroke passing smoothly ovet the crown. I like the pierce or spearpoint type jags because the dirty patch will not be pulled back through the bore. For polishing with flitz or simichrome a patch wrapped around a used brush works for me.

I think that if I were looking for a new outfit today, I'd go with the Tipton rod I think the bearings in the handle are a bit better than the Dewey. The carbon-fiber is probably better than coated steel, which is what the Dewey rods are made of.

I think that if you invest in a good quality rod you won't be sorry--I stalled for years due to the "high cost" of the better equipment. Then one day I was at a buddie's house and we were cleaning our rifles and he let me try his outfit. I sent away for a Dewey rod shortly thereafter.

A good rod and the properly-sized jags and patches will allow you to feel the inside of your rifle's bore much better. This can really let you get to know your rifle's bore.

one$$shot · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2006, 03:56:00 AM »

These look nice. I understand they're tough to get right at this time. Pro-Tec single piece carbon fiber rod. They come in various sizes.

mag41vance · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2006, 02:19:16 AM »

Dewey

Swamp Yankee · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2006, 09:45:24 AM »

I used a stainless rod for years, I have since changed over to a carbon fiber rod.[much better.] The stainless was alright for a bolt gun with a bore guide but never liked to use it on a pump or lever gun so used an aluminum rod, but they were soft and carried grit. Copper solvents are bad for brass rods.......so........I bought a carbon fiber rod, I have no complaints and life is good...............Jim