Author Topic: Cleaning? (Read 720 times)

oktx · « **on:** January 01, 2005, 07:00:13 AM »

Deer season is over here Jan. 2 and know it is time to clean my son's Handi 243. This scares me because last time I cleaned it , it shot all over the place! FRED M said that I might have gotten Oil or solvent in the action. I do not have a bore guide. Do you use a brass brush on these things? Please give me a refresher course on basic gun cleaning. Thanks oktx.

Donaldo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2005, 09:13:05 AM »

You can make a pretty good bore guide by taking a fired case, decap it, drill out the primer pocket large enough to get a cleaning rod and jag thru it. I have made them for my handi and my bolt guns. On the bolt guns you need to solder onto the rear of the case a length of 1/2" brass or copper tube to get you out past the rear of the action. Slip a proper size o-ring over the case neck to seal the chamber when you push the case in. Works just fine for me.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2005, 10:28:05 AM »

oktx:

for your basic cleaning chores...go buy a bore snake...they work great and you don't have to worry about a rod damaging the crown or rifling...drop the weighted cord thru the chamber and pour a small amount of solvent in the bore...and pull it thru.it scrubs and wipes clean on each pass....and the best thing is they are hand or machine washable...I have one for each of my rifles and shotguns... they are well worth the money...

Save your heavy rods for when you really need them...and you can take these to the range with you to clean between groups...

Mac

lgall · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2005, 09:39:17 PM »

I agree use a bore snake. It works great and they are very easy and quick to use.

lik2hunt · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2005, 09:51:58 PM »

Gonna get me some bore snakes. Thanks guys. Been strugglin' around with the rod and guide and slotted tip too long!

Brett · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2005, 02:42:45 AM »

That is another nice thing about these break action Handis, they are so easy to clean compared to any autolaoder or even a lot of bolt guns. If you remove the barrel from the action you don't even have to worry about getting bore cleaner in your action. If you clean from the chamber end you don't have to worry about damaging the crown.

Here's a question for someone brighter than myself, How is it that a copper jacketed bullet travelling faster than the speed of sound doesn't hurt your rifling yet we are concerned about a soft aluminum cleaning rod slowly slid down the bore?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2005, 04:22:13 AM »

Brett:

It's the front edges of the rod and the the front collar of most brushes that will dig in on the crown...that causes all the damage...and a-lot of guys are using steel rods to clean with...not just aluminum...

Mac

Deadeye47 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2005, 08:13:55 AM »

I use the Patchworms.....you can also order the tips with wire impregnated in them for heavy duty use...they seem to be working fine for me....

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2005, 08:29:22 AM »

I have a few bore snakes for different calibers and use them for field use, but don't recommend them for frequent use unless you wash them frequently. Dragging the same dirty, carbon laden snake thru the bore can't be good for the rifle. I use a Patchworm for all cleaning on a regular basis, similar to a Boresnake in use without the brush, but a clean patch with every pull through. They don't cost near as much as a Boresnake @~$7 incl shipping. I have also used the Otis system which will work with a bore mop or brush as well as a brush.

www.patchworm.com

Mac11700 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2005, 07:11:36 PM »

Quick:

The bore snakes aren't that bad to clean...I soak them in luke warm soapy water...then toss them in a little laundry bag and wash them...let them dry for a day,or run them in a dryer on fluff dry......and your good to go...your way sound pretty good too...

Mac

lik2hunt · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2005, 01:27:29 AM »

Got to be honest here. I've LOOKED at both, no experience with either one, but it looks like the snakes would be the better choice for my shotgun needs and the patchworm the best choice for my centerfires. Just my inexperienced :money: .