Thread: Cleaning Rods

Yeah, you're right about the popcorn. An old record (broken?) will be pulled out.

This is my experience -
I started out, as most of my generation did, with Parker-Hale coated steel rods. I went thru a few of those changing due to damage to the coating. They were all there was in those days.

Currently I have 3 x Boretech Bore Stix, 1x Triplon CF, 1x Pro Shot bare SS, 1x Anschutz bare SS. (And about 3 discarded PH)

The Boretech ones cover all my calibres, the Tipton my 30 cals and the Pro Shot and Anschutz my smallbore rifles.
I really like the Tipton (yeah, they break and impale your arm and the carbon fibres gravitate to your heart). I have given it hell even hammering the end with a piece of wood when a patch stuck. The metal part of the handle extends right thru the handle and has a knob suitable for hitting. I have detected no markings on the fiber from barrel slap, however it must inevitably happen). I would rate its handle as good with very free spinning bearings.

Boretech Bore Stix are probably the best rods I have used. Coated steel. Coating far superior to the old PH robs. Excellent handle, probably the best there is. Handle free spinning not quite as good as the Tipton. Highly recommend these rods. They also appear to be available in NZ, some times not the case.

I also bought an expensive highly polished stainless steel rod for my 30cal target rifles (cannot remember the brand). I discarded that as after using it for a while as I could see faint marks on it resembling rifle appearing. No doubt all the robs slab the bore that's why it’s important to use a rod as close to bore size as possible. Don't clean a 308 with 22F rod for example.

Not a fan of bare steel rods which I'm sure have their following.

Don't use sectioned rods. The joins end up holding abrasive muck. Sectioned rods are OK however for extended hunts where the need to clean may arise. Just don't use them for routine cleaning at home.

Definitely use a bore guide. Wipe the rod every time before pushing it thru just like you do for other things....