.22lr Cleaning Rods

[lazyMlazyK]

I've used a Tipton 36" .22 cleaning rod for years on a .22-250. It fits in my new, unfired CZ 457 .22lr, but it's very snug. Not so tight that it damages the rod, but just a nice, snug fit. This is without a patch on the jag.

I picked up a new Boretech .22 cleaning rod today, and it's nylon coated, whereas the Tipton is an uncoated carbon rod. The Boretech is a fair bit less snug going down the bore, but I'd still consider it a decent fit.

Is there a benefit to a real snug-fitting rod vs. one that has a little more clearance?

I realize I'm likely overthinking this topic, but I'd like to hear from others. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has wondered about this.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I like a .187dia rod for rimfires

 

[DukeDuke]

I use a .20 cal Dewey, works better for me.

 

[Dolomite]

I believe boretech rods are undersized.

 

[lazyMlazyK]

Thanks for the responses, folks. I guess an undersized rod isn't a huge deal. I'll stick with the Boretech rod.

 

[dellet]

Thanks for the responses, folks. I guess an undersized rod isn't a huge deal. I'll stick with the Boretech rod.

Did you buy a 22 caliber cleaning rod, or a 22 Rimfire cleaning rod?

Boretech makes both in the Proof positive line, and the center fire is a slightly larger diameter.
I think the rimfire, Orange handle, is the same diameter as most manufacturer's 22 rod.

Specs are on the website.

SHOP - Rifle Cleaning - Cleaning Rods

www.boretech.com

 

[tlbgto]

CZ says to use a 20 cal in their rifles. It’s posted on their website.

 

[lazyMlazyK]

CZ says to use a 20 cal in their rifles. It’s posted on their website.

I have a tough time navigating their website. I've looked, but can't find that anywhere. Any chance you could post up a link?

 

[tlbgto]

I have a tough time navigating their website. I've looked, but can't find that anywhere. Any chance you could post up a link?

They have changed their website, so I don't readily see it. Basically they have a chamber smaller than most 22. Also if you look on dewey rod website you will see they recommend a 20 cal on all 22 rimfire. On my benchrest guns Turbo and 2500 X with Shilen barrels, I and most people use a .185 20 cal to clean. On many CZ the larger rod will drag on the ejector. Mine do on both and will scratch the rod. Some people even use a 17 cal on a CZ.

 

[Schutzen2]

I use a Montana x-treme .17 cal carbon fiber rod for. 22 rimfires

 

[grauhanen]

CZ says to use a 20 cal in their rifles. It’s posted on their website.

A .22 rimfire cleaning rod will fit a CZ bore without issue. Cleaning rods are undersized, and CZ bores are no smaller in diameter than any other .22LR bore made to CIP specifications, which includes most European-made firearms.

CZ offers this recommendation because some shooters experience difficulty with the ejector interfering with a .22 cal cleaning rod. A slimmer cleaning rod helps avoid this problem with CZ ejectors.

 

[mudduck]

A .22 rimfire cleaning rod will fit a CZ bore without issue. Cleaning rods are undersized, and CZ bores are no smaller in diameter than any other .22LR bore made to CIP specifications, which includes most European-made firearms.

CZ offers this recommendation because some shooters experience difficulty with the ejector interfering with a .22 cal cleaning rod. A slimmer cleaning rod helps avoid this problem with CZ ejectors.

I wouldn’t necessarily agree with this because I have seen a 22 pro shot rod ruined in a cz 453. He thought the patch was just tight and it wasn’t the ejector. Rifling marks all way down

 

[tlbgto]

As a general rule I believe a 22 rimfire is .2150-.2170 bore diameter and .2220 grove diameter. Just measure your rod with a dial caliper and see if you are comfortable with the measurement and the clearance you have. Remember you will have a patch attached. A boretech 22 rimfire rod with the orange handle is .195 rod diameter which fits. Its also really just a 20 caliber.

 

[shortine]

A .22 rimfire cleaning rod will fit a CZ bore without issue. Cleaning rods are undersized, and CZ bores are no smaller in diameter than any other .22LR bore made to CIP specifications, which includes most European-made firearms.

CZ offers this recommendation because some shooters experience difficulty with the ejector interfering with a .22 cal cleaning rod. A slimmer cleaning rod helps avoid this problem with CZ ejectors.

CZ uses a .211 bore according to their own website.The standard rimfire bore is .218, and that is the part that touches your rod, not the .222 groove.: but yes, that ejector will rub on a standard .22 rimfire rod. Mr. Stevens is correct. The .187 (20 cal.rods) are ideal for CZ, and are better for use in high quality .22 cal benchrest rifles as well.

Gerry

 

[1911nut]

CZ says to use a 20 cal in their rifles. It’s posted on their website.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The orange boretech is .187 and is perfect for a 22 with a 1” or 1 1/8” patch and 22rf jag

 

[shoot4fun]

So you are trying to say 22LR's are (sorry but can't help it) supposed to be CLEANED?

 

[shortine]

I have a tough time navigating their website. I've looked, but can't find that anywhere. Any chance you could post up a link?

It is in the question and answer section of their website.

Gerry

 

[grauhanen]

CZ uses a .211 bore according to their own website.The standard rimfire bore is .218, and that is the part that touches your rod, not the .222 groove.: but yes, that ejector will rub on a standard .22 rimfire rod. Mr. Stevens is correct. The .187 (20 cal.rods) are ideal for CZ, and are better for use in high quality .22 cal benchrest rifles as well.

Gerry

Gerry, you've got some things wrong.

Here are the bore dimensions, CIP and SAAMI, side by side. Note that this chart was produced by CZ and that CZ adheres to CIP specs, as do most European firearms manufacturers. Most North American factory .22LR firearms adhere to SAAMI specs. These chart specs conform to those directly from CIP and SAAMI.



The land diameter is most relevant as it's the smallest.

The CIP (CZ) lands diameter is 5.38mm or 0.212 inches. (Actually the math works out to 0.2118 inches so CZ is unusually rounding down to 0.211 inches). The grooves are 5.58mm or 0.220 inches.

SAAMI lands are 5.51mm or 0.217 inches. The SAAMI grooves are 5.64mm or 0.222 inches.

As noted earlier, CZ bore dimensions are not smaller than those of other CIP spec firearms.

Cleaning rods are invariably undersized, otherwise they wouldn't be usable. For example, a Pro Shot one-piece stainless .22LR cleaning rod is 0.203" in diameter. A Tipton carbon fiber .22LR cleaning rod is 0.208". Both of these diameters are less than the lands diameter of CIP spec .22LR firearms.

Both rods fit without issue in CZ bores. They also fit Brno, Walther, and Anschutz .22LR bores (among other CIP-spec makes) without issue.

Of course, a smaller diameter rod, like the Pro Shot .20 caliber stainless one-piece rod, which is also undersized at 0.187" in diameter, may be preferred by many shooters, for its extra margin of safety.

For those shooters who use a shorter rod for chamber cleaning or for handguns, there are few, if any, such rods smaller than .22LR. pistol cleaning rods.

Nevertheless, it should be remembered that CZ rifles in particular have an ejector that may interfere with some .22LR caliber cleaning rods and for this reason CZ suggests the use of smaller rods, not because they think they won't fit.

 

[shortine]

"A: Our 22 LRs use our cold hammer forged and lapped barrels, and are built a bit tighter than many other guns. In 22 LR we run a .211 bore, which is one of the reasons our .22s are known for incredible accuracy. This also means that a .17 or .20 rod and jag are required for cleaning, since a .22 rod will be too large.

Additionally, use of .22 Short, Long and ‘Sub-Sonic’ ammunition isn’t recommended because of the tight bore. This is not to exclude quality match or target ammos, which may remain sub-sonic in speed."

From CZ's website. Support/QandA

My other 6 rifles (Ruger, Win, Walther, custom) will take a standard .22 rod with a 1 1/8 patch. The Walther and Shilen are tight. I can also use a standard .22 rod , jag patch on my CZs, but it's so tight I'm afraid I would need another rod to drive it back out.

Mr. op. I would take the manufacturer's instructions over mine or anyone else's advice.

Gerry