Frustrated

[PawPaw]

I went out to check the twist rate on my .223 Handi, and I've never had so much trouble in my life.

I've read the FAQs.  Please don't tell me to read the FAQs.  I went out to the bench and set up with a rod, patches, bore oil, measuring device.  Stuck a patch on the jag, got it started.  Rod wouldn't turn.  Took the rod out, checked to make sure it would turn freely.  Got a thicker patch, put some oil on the patch, tried to start it.  Too thick.  Piddled around with another jag, another patch, rod wouldn't turn in the bore, but would turn freely in my hand.   Then decided to try a bore brush wrapped in a patch.  Started it in the barrel and it got stuck.  Tried to push it through, bent the rod. Got vise grips and tried to pull it out.  Pulled the end off of the brush.  Got another rod and pushed it back through from the other end.  Put a jag in the 2nd rod, put a patch on it.  Tried to push it through.  Broke the jag off in the end of the rod.  Threw that rod in the back of the truck.  It's going to the dump with the other one.

I've checked twist rates on many, many rifles.  This little .22 bore has me buggered.  The bore is so small and the equipment so fragile that I'm now out of .22 rods.

I guess it's time to buy a good rod for .22 bores.  And a couple of good brass jags.

[streak]

There is always the " sledge hammer""!!!
Take a deep breath, then as you mentioned go buy a good rod and brush.

[PawPaw]

Okay, so who makes the better rod; Dewey or Tipton?

[Catshooter45]

I'd be hard pressed to call one rod better than the other (Dewey or Tipton).

Small bores do present challanges, don't they? 


Cat

[quickdtoo]

  Never had a problem. I just checked my Hornet barrel using a one-piece coated steel .22 cal Kleenbore rod since all of my Tipton carbon fiber(preferred) rods are bigger, first patch was too thin, rod didn't turn, used a thicker patch which was much tighter, rod rotated fine,  it's the standard 1:12" for H&R. I've had days like that when everything seems to go wrong. 

Tim

[bikerbeans]

Pawpaw,

I have a different way to check the twist, as I too battled with the method in the FAQs.  You need a one piece rod that will not unscrew.  I insert the rod through the breech end of the barrel and when it sticks out I screw on a brass 22 cal. brush.  I screw it in until it is almost tight then pull the rod through the bore, the rifling unscrews the brush.  I then screw the brush back tight while counting the turns.  For a 22" inch Handi barrel it works out to about 24" inches that the brush is being turned, because the brush starts turning before being fulling inserted or removed.  Anyway, if the brush makes 2 revolutions in the 24" it is 1:12, about 2 2/3 revolutions for a 1:9. 

I checked this method on a couple of known twist barrels and it works fairly wells.  May need to put a sharpie mark on the brush & rod. 

I realize this unintentional cleaning of my 223 barrel has ruined the accuracy of my Handi for life.

BB

[Mac11700]

Pawpaw,

I have a different way to check the twist, as I too battled with the method in the FAQs.  You need a one piece rod that will not unscrew.  I insert the rod through the breech end of the barrel and when it sticks out I screw on a brass 22 cal. brush.  I screw it in until it is almost tight then pull the rod through the bore, the rifling unscrews the brush.  I then screw the brush back tight while counting the turns.  For a 22" inch Handi barrel it works out to about 24" inches that the brush is being turned, because the brush starts turning before being fulling inserted or removed.  Anyway, if the brush makes 2 revolutions in the 24" it is 1:12, about 2 2/3 revolutions for a 1:9. 

I checked this method on a couple of known twist barrels and it works fairly wells.  May need to put a sharpie mark on the brush & rod. 

I realize this unintentional cleaning of my 223 barrel has ruined the accuracy of my Handi for life.

BB

Yup..pulling them through has always worked best for me too..I started buying 1 piece rods from Sinclair's and pitched every cheap aluminum rod I had..BTW...they make a dandy 3 piece steel rod that won't break very easily too..and these line up perfectly without any ridge at the joints..

Mac

[gcrank1]

You knew you wanted to get rid of those cheapie rods anyway, right?.....just couldnt bear to part with them. This was a blessing in disguise.
I have found the pull thru to work better too.
Whichever rod you get, check the threads, or adapter you will need for readily available, reasonably priced attachments.

[myarmor]

I really love the carbon 1pc Tipton rods though. All my aluminum ones have gone out the door as have my brass ones.





-Aaron

[v8r]

I haven't used a two piece rod in years.It is like a two piece fishing pole....they ain't worth a flip.