« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: How do you clean your .17?  (Read 1784 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Mamba_Driver

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 81
  • Gender: Male
    • http://home.comcast.net/~ronweiser/
How do you clean your .17?
« on: January 14, 2008, 08:00:28 PM »
Hi all.  I just picked up a .17HMR Sportster and set about getting cleaning gear as I don't have anything else with a bore that small.  Sooooo, I purchased a really nice (translation, expensive!!!) Dewey one piece ball bearing rod and jag.  Life is good.  I can't wait to get home and clean it up.

That sucker is tight!  The bore is really tiny.  With my first ginger pass of the rod through the barrel, I could feel it drag a little.  I was really going slow.  After my first back and forth pass with the Dewey I inspected the rod.  I could see scratches in the rod coating.  I'm afraid to use it for fear of damaging the rifling or the crown.

What do you all use to clean this little guy?  A bore snake?  A cable style cleaning system?  Technique?   ???

Thanks for the help and advice!

Ron
Logged

Offline MSP Ret

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (173)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8940
  • Gender: Male
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2008, 12:32:31 AM »
All I have used so far in my H&R/NEF .17's has been a Hoppes Bore Snake and they still shoot great....<><....:)
Logged
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline bscman

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 260
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2008, 05:02:57 AM »
From my experience, it takes a lot of careless cleaning to damage a rifle using a brass or aluminum rod.
Steel rods can be VERY devastating, however.

I use a 1-piece rod in my HMR rarely. In fact, I used it for the initial cleaning....and haven't touched it since.
I'm waiting for my accuracy to start falling...but to this point it seems like it might take a while!

Otherwise, I have a "patch worm" type device...which is just a nylon cord to pull patches through the bore. I'll get any powder residue and loose stuff out and call it a day.

Boresnakes and foaming cleaners seem quite popular over on RFC. I'll probably end up with a boresnake--they're pretty handy...but I can't justify spending the $18 they  are asking locally. Maybe I'll throw one in on my next online purchase.
Logged

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43304
  • Gender: Male
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2008, 05:44:43 AM »
I use a Patchworm exclusively on all of my .17s, no need for brushing with foaming cleaners so a patch is all that's necessary. ;)

I won't recommend a boresnake for use in any .17 bore. :-\

Tim

www.patchworm.com

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68660&highlight=bore+snake
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline d_hiker

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (69)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 969
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2008, 08:41:47 AM »
When I have used my boresnake in the smaller calibers I find that is important to make sure there is some lubricant/cleaner of some sort to start the snake through.  If not it gets very tight very quick.  Actually I think my .17cal boresnake works good in my .204 for a quick clean.  I read somewhere that it might help to remove the brass brush in the boresnake, but that looked like a tedious job getting it out of there.  I have a one piece nylon coated cleaning rod for the .17 which I use when needed.
Logged
"IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !!!"

Offline MSP Ret

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (173)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8940
  • Gender: Male
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2008, 09:58:51 AM »
I then consider myself a fortunate Bore Snake user. I have 3 .17's and many .22 caliber rifles (.22LR's, .22 Mag's, .22-250, and .223's) that I use Bore Snakes on and I have never had a problem....<><....:)
Logged
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline woodchukhntr

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (108)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2008, 10:25:43 AM »
I've never used a snake, and will probably get one some day, I use a Dewey for my .17's.

As far as scratching the bore with a rod, it is similar when cleaning a .22 because the rod is close to the bore diameter, the rod will touch the bore.  Make sure that the rod is clean, wiping it off before use, between patches, and every few brush strokes.  .22 target rifles have many thousands of rounds fired through them and are cleaned frequently with no damage when cleaned properly.  A friend had to clean his Martini every 100 shots in a match or it would start opening up the groups.  Stainless steel rods are less likely to be embedded with dirt particles than brass, aluminum or steel.  Always clean from the chamber so you don't damage the muzzle or crown.  Use a bore guide if possible, but I haven't found one yet for the HMR.
Logged

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43304
  • Gender: Male
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2008, 10:52:26 AM »
A bore guide isn't needed for a Patchworm, it doesn't take much care to pull it straight out the muzzle, a muzzle guard could also be used, see the FAQs.

Possum Hollow makes bore guides for 17hmrs, as does Bob Hahin, Sinclair sells them. They also sell TC bore guides that can be modified to work in a Sportster.

The .17/.20 cal Stoney Point snout may also work with a little modification. ;)

Tim

http://www.possumhollowproducts.com/bore-guide-chart.pdf

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=03-9XX&type=store

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=RG4X&type=store

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=RGX&type=store

Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline Mamba_Driver

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 81
  • Gender: Male
    • http://home.comcast.net/~ronweiser/
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2008, 11:08:59 AM »
Thanks all for the suggestions.  It looks like I'll try the PatchWorm .17  I took a look at their website and will order a bunch of stuff.  I'm really a sucker for the "impulse items".  My wife never takes me shopping,... thank God!   ;D
Logged

Offline kevthebassman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 979
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2008, 11:48:53 AM »
I clean my .17 Rem CZ with a .17 cal aluminum rod, from the breech.  I am careful to wipe the rod down after every stroke because this rifle is such a tackdriver.
Logged

Offline GregP42

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (6)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 752
  • Gender: Male
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2008, 09:33:38 AM »
When I am cleaning my .17s I use a Tipton carbon fiber rod. One thing you have to think about is if your using a push jag for the patch, the patches need to be smaller for the .17. I cut mine on a paper cutter to 7/10 of an inch square. That size has worked best for me.

Greg
Logged
NRA Life Member
"Those who sacrifice essential liberty for temporary safety are not deserving of either liberty or safety."  - Ben Franklin, 1776
Vis Sis Mis!

Offline nodlenor

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 455
  • Gender: Male
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2008, 08:16:30 AM »
So far I have used a brass cleaning rod mostly but I also have used a BoreSnake. I haven't had any problems with either but I sure do like the looks of the PatchWorm and will order one in the near future.
Logged
Self government without self discipline will not work; Paul Harvey

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2008, 10:06:16 AM »
ya'll clean um ?
Logged
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43304
  • Gender: Male
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2008, 11:13:59 AM »
Quote from: SHOOTALL on February 15, 2008, 10:06:16 AM
ya'll clean um ?

Just like any other rimfire, when the accuracy goes away, it's time to clean em, usually after 200-300 rounds, or right now, $48 to $72 worth or ammo for the hmr!! :o

Tim
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline mcwoodduck

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7983
  • Gender: Male
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2008, 12:30:01 PM »
I hit it with the bore snake once every two months if it needs it or not.  Usually it does.  I clean all the guns every so often.  It usually takes all day to get through the ones that were shot and oil and wipe down the ones that were not.
I have two snakes.  One gets solvent  on the brush and the other does not.
Tim, you have never had a 10/22 if you clean them when accuracy goes away.  I clean mine when they stop functioning.  Then have to get it dirty again so it will work again till it gets too gummed up to work.  The accuracy is always there.
Logged

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43304
  • Gender: Male
Re: How do you clean your .17?
« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2008, 12:37:38 PM »
What's a 10/22!! ;D  Nope never had the urge to have one, I've had a Glenfield 75 since the early 70s, it only gets cleaned when it starts jamming, but it's always been accurate, jams or not. The only other semi-auto that I have is a Browning Buckmark, same for it. ;)

Tim
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »