Having hard time with cleaning

[Ned Ludd]

The throat on my .223 Rem rifles all seem just a tick "tighter" than any of my other rifles. I use a center pierce-type jag with 1 and 1/8" square cotton patches as you showed above. I will occasionally have to tap the end of cleaning rod handle with the butt of my hand to get the patch into the throat, holding the rod in the middle so it doesn't bend. I don't like doing it that way, but it's the only approach I've found that works reliably. I have used this approach for years and doing it carefully/gently has never harmed any of my barrels.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

The key as NZ tells it is a GOOD pair of scissors!

I was lucky enough to come across a real pair of surgical scissors some years ago. Wonderful steel - keeps an edge. They live with my cleaning kit ( so as Mrs B doesn't "need" them...)

 

[boltfluter]

Round pro-shot patches and a piercing jag work great for me.

Paul

 

[6MMsteve]

Fiskars fabric razor shears, best scissors I used or the Titanium serrated work great also, have both