How to clean a barrel that's not screwed into a receiver?

[HTSmith]

I've got several barrels sitting in the corner that need some cleaning, but my bore guide doesn't do to well with nothing to support it. Is there a special guide or jig for this? Thanks much

 

[Fast14riot]

I don't worry about a bore guide when its just a barrel. The bore guide is best for keeping cleaning products and crap out of the trigger and action. Just finish with a chamber mop.

 

[HTSmith]

I'm probably overthinking it. I've got a lot of coin in some of these. I worry about the rod rubbing on the throat.

 

[dellet]

If these are chambered barrels, just drill a hole through the primer pocket of a piece of brass large enough to pass the cleaning rod through. Custom fit chamber guide.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I very much doubt that the rod contacting the throat area would cause any damage, unless it was covered in some kind of abrasive- like rust.

I have heard that some owners deliberately force copper like pellets into the throat area using explosives.

 

[HTSmith]

If these are chambered barrels, just drill a hole through the primer pocket of a piece of brass large enough to pass the cleaning rod through. Custom fit chamber guide.

That's why I posted. I'm not smart enough to think of things like that. Thanks

 

[ttfreestyle]

They make a stubby bore guide just for this. I think mine came from possum hollow.

 

[NorCalMikie]

So, if you don't have a bore guide, you can't clean your barrels??
What did folks do 'before" the invention of bore guides?
Cleaning rods are a lot softer than the copper pellets being forced down the steel barrel "by an explosion".

 

[F Class John]

21st Century offers this http://www.xxicsi.com/barrel-off-bore-guide.html for just such an occasion.

 

[Rsadams]

There's soooooo much stuff on cleaning barrels out there it will drive you absolutely nuts.... Let me just say my opinion.... I have rifles that were my grandfather's who shot them and hunted with them his whole life.... They were definitely not ever cleaned with a bore guide since I doubt they existed.... They were cleaned with whatever rod came in whatever cleaning kit that was available and I can assure you none were coated since once again there was no such thing.... Every one of those guns , pistols , rifles and even shotguns still shoot as good as they did when new.... Alot of the time these hunting rifles were just dosed in wd-40 and wiped down after coming out of the field and shoved back in a gun cabinet.... Sounds crazy but that's how most guns were cared for back then.... If they were cared for that well at all.....

I don't shoot them a ton of course but the other day I replaced a scope becouse I bought a new one and move everything thing down the list swapping down scopes from one rifle to another , when I get to the bottom gun that scope that was on that one goes on a shelf.... That rifle , a 600 Mohawk in 6mm rem put the last three Bullets clovered all touching at 100 , the bullets were simply blue box federal not even handloads.... I understand why all this new stuff exist but if pushing a decent rod down a barrel at the speed of smell is the problem I think there may be different problems.... I do now clean with coated rods and bore guides etc but it is strange that 50+ year old rifles that have never seen any of it still shoot great.... Maybe the old rifles just don't know any better.... This is just my life experience and opinion so take it for what you want.... It doesn't cost anything...

Edit... I also have a good sized box of the latest and greatest reloading and cleaning crap that I give away to people who want to try it all the time.... I just stick with what works for me now because I am tired of chasing good money after bad and I bet I am not the only one....

 

[Chiquita]

I don't think a carbon fiber cleaning rod can damage throats or the lands. Then again if there is a need somebody will make the tool for it. see the 21st century as posted by John.

 

[HTSmith]

I hear you. I don't know what I don't know. Seems like a bore guide of some sort would be a reasonable precaution--at least to me.

 

[Rsadams]

I hear you. I don't know what I don't know. Seems like a bore guide of some sort would be a reasonable precaution--at least to me.

It's definitely not going to hurt anything.... Lock that sucker in a padded vise and go to work on it.... Run some oil or grease through the barrels before storing....

 

[Dave Way]

Doesn’t anyone else just put them in the dishwasher?

 

[old_heli_logger]

Vacuum seal them in Foodsaver bags with your favorite oil/rust preventative.

 

[jpx2rk]

Pocket Field Kit - PatchWorm

Product Categories: Pocket Field Kit | Tactical Field Kit | Small Caliber Kits Including .177 | Felt Buttons & Cotton Patches | Cleaning Compounds & Solvents | Replacement Parts & Accessories | Sight Paint Kit

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[ridgeway]

I simply use the Lucas guide that slides over the rod. Fits right in chamber and centers up the rod.

 

[ckaberna]

There's soooooo much stuff on cleaning barrels out there it will drive you absolutely nuts.... Let me just say my opinion.... I have rifles that were my grandfather's who shot them and hunted with them his whole life.... They were definitely not ever cleaned with a bore guide since I doubt they existed.... They were cleaned with whatever rod came in whatever cleaning kit that was available and I can assure you none were coated since once again there was no such thing.... Every one of those guns , pistols , rifles and even shotguns still shoot as good as they did when new.... Alot of the time these hunting rifles were just dosed in wd-40 and wiped down after coming out of the field and shoved back in a gun cabinet.... Sounds crazy but that's how most guns were cared for back then.... If they were cared for that well at all.....

I don't shoot them a ton of course but the other day I replaced a scope becouse I bought a new one and move everything thing down the list swapping down scopes from one rifle to another , when I get to the bottom gun that scope that was on that one goes on a shelf.... That rifle , a 600 Mohawk in 6mm rem put the last three Bullets clovered all touching at 100 , the bullets were simply blue box federal not even handloads.... I understand why all this new stuff exist but if pushing a decent rod down a barrel at the speed of smell is the problem I think there may be different problems.... I do now clean with coated rods and bore guides etc but it is strange that 50+ year old rifles that have never seen any of it still shoot great.... Maybe the old rifles just don't know any better.... This is just my life experience and opinion so take it for what you want.... It doesn't cost anything...

Edit... I also have a good sized box of the latest and greatest reloading and cleaning crap that I give away to people who want to try it all the time.... I just stick with what works for me now because I am tired of chasing good money after bad and I bet I am not the only one....

Pure “BLASPHEMY” ....... LoL

 

[PigButtons]

I just drop my barrels into my wife's sonic jewelry cleaning thingy. Yeah , she has a LOT of jewelry.

 

[snert]

pour boiling water thru it and into the sink. add some dish soap, run rod in top of standing barrel, yank it back up creating a suction (tight patch) repeat ten times. pop the drain, dump more boiling water down barrel and outside of it. Let cool a bit, pour strong isoprpyl alcohol down the barrel. swing barrel around your head vigorously like a maddened mall ninja till it is bone dry. run oil patch down bore, wipe outside with light oil.

put your barrel back on your half-stock, after replacing flash-hole or 209 primer system (use grease on threads).

Oh...you were talking about a Bench rest barrel!? and there I was revealing my ML cleaning secrets....