Good cleaning rods for match grade rifle barrels

[theSaj]

I've got a .223 target rifle. I want to pick up a good cleaning rod system. This is my first rifle (besides an old Mosin-Nagant).

So any resources or info you have both regarding cleaning rods and cleaning a match grade barrel.

I'll hear people say "such and such is totally fine IF you clean your rifle the correct way". I do not know the correct way. So I am willing to pay a little bit more to have something that will help protect my rifle from my naivety as I learn how to "clean my rifle the right way".

That said, I know I don't want one of those cheap 3-piece units. Bore-snakes are another alternative but I've read that they a) don't clean as well and b) can retain gunk which might damage the barrel.

What about the Hoppe's Elite rods? They have coated stainless and carbon fiber versions. Advantages / Disadvantages to each?

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Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

[Tomcat088]

I'd like to ask a question first before we get to answering the question. What type of rifle is the .223 that has a match grade barrel? Since you said that it's a "target rifle" it makes me think it's a bolt action, but I did not want to assume such. Most of us use a slightly different approach between bolt rifles, semi auto's, etc.

[theSaj]

My apologies...

It is a semi-automatic... a Ruger Mini-14 Target model to be exact. (Was trying to avoid the potential flame war of people responding that they owned a Mini-14 back in the day and it had minute of milkjug accuracy and so on.)

[Xringshooter]

A coated rod will help prevent possible damage to the bore. Also, I recommend a one piece rod. Dewey is a good rod, you can also find carbon fiber rods.

Clean your gun from the breech side only, don't go in from the crown (muzzle) end unless you can't clean it any other way. If cleaning from the crown end get a false muzzle so that you won't damage the crown. Damage to the crown will destroy the accuracy. Also, when cleaning from the breech end, if possible, get an adapter that fits in where the bolt goes so that you don't drip a lot of solvent into the action. Push your patch from the breech to the muzzle, then remove the patch and then pull the rod back.

If you look around there are many places that give very good step by step barrel cleaning procedures. Look in any of the benchrest shooter forums. Benchrest shooters truly are obsessive when it comes to cleaning their guns.

[Legion_Prime]

Dewey Rods 'nuff said.

[theSaj]

Any advantage of carbon fiber over coated steel? Any disadvantages?

[arrrrgh15]

Dewey Rods 'nuff said.

Dewey works for me too. Some copper solvents can attack the coating so be sure to wipe it down when you're finished.

[Xringshooter]

Carbon fiber is going to be very strong but won't scratch the barrel. Good coated rods (Dewey) won't either but as said before make sure you wipe them off after you're done so that the stronger solvents won't attack the coating, which would result in bare metal on the rod that could scratch the barrel if the rod bends while cleaning.

[SteveWag]

Dewey is just fine. I think the Ruger needs to be cleaned from the front end (sad). You need to protect the end. DON'T use a slotted end on the rod, use a "jag". And only use a patch once!

Steve

[Legion_Prime]

Dewey works for me too. Some copper solvents can attack the coating so be sure to wipe it down when you're finished.

When you're finished? Hell I wipe my rod down after each pass.

Dewey is just fine. I think the Ruger needs to be cleaned from the front end (sad). You need to protect the end. DON'T use a slotted end on the rod, use a "jag". And only use a patch once!

Steve

Oh hell yeah, those slot/loop's are garbage.