Difference between steel and brass slotted patch holders

[coyote trapper1929]

  Hi:

     What is the difference between a steel and a brass  slotted patch holder? Is one better than the other?  This would be for a Model 94 rifle.


Thanks,

[victorcharlie]

Brass is a much softer metal than steel..........both will do the same thing, but brass would be easier on the bore should the patch holder contact the bore......all other things equal.......plastic patch holders are also available.......other than the slotted patch holders I really like the pointed "jag" type patch holders.........Instead of slipping a folded patch into a slot, there is a sharp point on the end and the patch is "speared"........the patch is in contact with the complete diameter of the bore and has no place to rub or nick the bore...........properly used there is little chance for the jag to contact the bore.....

It's often said there is more damage done by cleaning a barrel than by shooting...........that said......I try to use materials that are softer than the bore..........I try to clean from the chamber end of the gun so as not to damage the crown or end of the barrel............a bore guide to keep the rod centered in the bore also help.........

There is also bore snakes.....and I have used a patch tied on the end of a string.........a bore snake is a modern variation of a patch on a string......

[gunnut69]

For the average deer hunter's 30-30 the BoreSnake is an acceptable cleaning method, combined with a trip to the gunsmith occassionally to strip clean the weapon. If you can take down the 94 yourself a stainless steel 1 piece rod is the way to go. It should be smooth with no sharp edges and use the brass jag tips and all brass brushes. The carbon fiber rods are also acceptable, although I've little experience with them.. Avoid cleaning with ANY rod from the muzzle. The BoreSnake can be fed in and does an OK job on powder fouling. Jacket metal fouling is more difficult. The aluminum rods, brass rods and plastic coated rods are inferior. They can. Damage the bore not by scratching but by 'lapping'. Lapping is a process where a soft material and a hard material are rubbed together with an abrasive between. The barrel steel is the hard material, the aluminum/brass/plastic rod is the soft. The softer material absorbs or embeds the avrasive and the harder material is worn away. The abrasive is supplied by the carbon fouling and partially burned powder granuals. A bore guide is an excellant idea. Stainless steel is too hard to readily embed and strong enough to avoid bending and flexing against the inside of the bore as pressure is applied.