Extremely tight Bore Snake

[Professor]

Anyone ever have a Bore Snake get stuck in a barrel? I got it out, but it took everything I have to pull it through a .223 barrel - and yes, it is the right size snake - at least that's what it says on the container. I've used them on pistols with no problem, but on this rifle, I thought it was stuck forever. I had to wrap the cord around a tool to get a good grip and even then, I could only get it to move an inch or two at a time before getting a new grip and trying again.

Anyone else ever have that problem?

 

[orbitup]

Did you have it going into the barrel at an angle? Sometimes they get hung up it they don't go fairly straight in.

 

[Glockster69]

I had the same issue 1st time I used one. Now I spray the snake with CLP beforehand, makes a world of difference.

 

[Professor]

It seemed straight to me. It was extremely tight all the way through - even after the brushes made it through. You must be right - something got doubled over or twisted or something, but I don't see how.

 

[Professor]

I had the same issue 1st time I used one. Now I spray the snake with CLP beforehand, makes a world of difference.

Thank you! I'll give that a try. it was a new barrel and a new snake, so I was running it through dry just to clear out any dust.

 

[Blind Sniper]

Is it a brand-new snake? If so, run it through a few more times. If not, check the brass weight on the end of the cord, they're usually stamped with the snake's caliber/diameter range. IIRC if it really is a .223 snake, the weight should be marked ".223", or maybe the largest of the calibers listed on the packaging.

Never had one get stuck to that degree 'cept for when I tried using a .22 snake to clean a rifle that had developed a leading issue. Bad news is I snapped the cord (didn't notice that it had been nicked by a sharp edge on the muzzle brake), had to tie it back together. Good news is one pass cleared the bore, and I learned -not- to do that!

Edit: Seconding orbitup's post. All of my snakes get hung up if they go in crooked. I've learned that setting the rifle butt-down on the floor and holding it as straight as possible while pulling the cord along the same line as the barrel is a good way to get it started out straight.

 

[Southpaw]

I've had the same issue with my 223's and bore snakes. Spraying it down will help.

 

[Professor]

I just checked. The weight is marked .22, so that wasn't the problem. I think a little lubrication will do it.

 

[Orbie]

I freaked the first time a ran a snake through an AR. I thought I'd done something terribly wrong.

 

[breakingcontact]

Bore snakes are a cool...but bad idea. They're great until you break one off...

 

[Dawico]

I put some Hoppe's on the bristle part and it works like a charm.

I do the opposite though. I hold the rifle butt up and drop the snake through from the chamber end until I can grab it.

 

[Blind Sniper]

I put some Hoppe's on the bristle part and it works like a charm.

I do the opposite though. I hold the rifle butt up and drop the snake through from the chamber end until I can grab it.

Oh, I do that too. Drop the cord through the bore (in through the chamber, out through the muzzle), wrap the weighted end around my hand, then put the rifle butt-down and start pulling.

 

[Dawico]

Oh, I do that too. Drop the cord through the bore (in through the chamber, out through the muzzle), wrap the weighted end around my hand, then put the rifle butt-down and start pulling.

Ah, gotcha. I guess I do the same thing.

 

[cryption]

Does it really matter what direction one goes? I've always figured go the direction of the bullet, and then the debris comes out the barrel and not into the breech.

 

[shortround]

I bought what I thought was a .223/.22 caliber bore snake and it was more like .243, even though the box said .223. When I took it back the store, they told me they were aware of the problem and gave me a full refund.

 

[Dawico]

Does it really matter what direction one goes? I've always figured go the direction of the bullet, and then the debris comes out the barrel and not into the breech.

Everything I have read says the same and it makes sense. Pull the crud away from the chamber.

 

[KiloKilo]

I have two snakes for each caliber. I keep one "dry" and one "lightly lubed".......I keep them separated in zip lock bags in my range bag. When I'm through for the day, while the barrel is still fairly warm, I'll pull the "dry" snake thru and when the barrel has cooled down enough to go in the bag, I'll pull the "lubed" snake thru........pull the BCG out and spray a little CLP on it, wipe it down and I'm good to go 'til the next range session. I will "thoroughly" clean my rifles about every 1000 rounds or so. If I have been shooting with the can, I break the gun down and clean "everything"........I'm not saying that this is necessary......it's just the way I do it.
KK

 

[TexMex247]

Wow, glad I read this thread before using the one I've got !

 

[Professor]

Thanks so much for the replies. Texans rock! (I say that with a bit of pride since I am one) You have all been very helpful.

 

[oldguy]

Old dude here, don't care for bore snakes, I do my cleaning with a rod and cloth, don't see the advantage with the bore snake especially on an AR, I do use a "bore wire" on my 10/22 as I do not like cleaning from the muzzle.

Bore Wire - Rifle - Pistol Bore Cleaning Tool