Need some advice on cleaning rods

[1972]

I’m looking to get some new cleaning rods and wanted to see what the general consensus was on a couple of things. I’m not looking to bash any manufacturer or product, just wanted to toss an idea out and see what the majority thought.

I’ve used Dewey rods on all my “hunting” rifles over the years and been very happy with them. They make a great product. Since I bought those rods however (a long time ago) I’ve learned a lot about cleaning rifle barrels, and I’ve just recently acquired my first few “target” rifles. I’m a lot fussier now about what I use to clean my barrels and how I go about it.

The bottom line is I need some new rods for these new rifles and I can’t decide if I want to go with Dewey rods, or if I want to go with the Bore Tech “Proof Positive Bore Stix” rods. The main reasons I am looking at the Bore Tech rods are as follows:

First of all, they are supposed to avoid false “copper” readings (blue patch color) because of the alloy they use on the end of the rod.

Secondly they claim to have raised the bar a bit on the coating they put on the rods. They say it’s pretty much bullet proof, and they apparently have a pretty decent ball bearing system in the handles. I’m a little concerned about those “foam” handles though. In my experience nothing made of “foam” stands up very well to chemicals.

Thirdly, they are made so that the “Proof Positive Brushes” and “Proof Positive Jags” all screw directly into the female end of the rod. No brass adaptors are required, and the joint is essentially seamless. I really like this.

The rod end is my biggest concern with Dewey. In order to use a lot of the jags and brushes I want to use I’d have to use adaptors, and there are some bizarre thread combinations there. That not only creates a series of joints I’d rather avoid, it also leaves you with the brass (blue patch) issue, and pretty much negates the purpose of using the “Proof Positive” jags and brushes.

The thing is I don’t know anything about the Bore Stix. The Dewey rods are a known commodity to me. They are tough, and I’ve never had an issue with them. But I like the idea of the proof positive system, and Bore Tech seems to have the edge with that. If price is any indication their rods should certainly be high end quality. And I don’t have a problem with that. If the rods are worth it, I’ll pay what they want for them.

So, your thoughts? Has anybody had some experience with the Bore Tech rods and attachments (jags and brushes)? Are they as good as claimed? Do they stand up (especially those foam handles)?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

 

[Preacher]

I have 2 PP rods from Bore tech with the PP jags.
They seem to be as tough as claimed so far.
No problems with the oldest one as far as the foam is concerned, and they do spin easy.
Seems I read that Dewey is making a Aluminum tipped rod but they didnt have them in stock when I ordered the last 22 caliber rod so I got another Bore Tech rod..

 

[19zip]

Have you heard of or seen IVY Rods? A benchrest shooter told me he uses .187 diameter 20 caliber Ivy Rods, Bore Rider jags & Brush guides, and Mike Lucas bore guides for his .22 and 6mm barrels.
Anyone else familiar with the Ivy Rods?

 

[jayded1]

I can give a big thumbs up to Don Leidich and Bore Rider Barrel Care Products....I only shoot TR/Palma....and use regular dewey rods with the Bore Rider kit its fine,

 

[Gadget]

Hi,
I have had a Bore Tech PP in 6 mm and think it is great, the cost of new jag's is negligible, and the darn thing is just soooo good, you want to clean your gun's.

A mate came round while I was cleaning my gun with the PP, He asked if he could try it, pushed the rod through a few times, then he brought one on his way home, he loves his as well.

Gadget

 

[BoydAllen]

Several years ago Dewey improved their handle bearings. Previously, the plastic of the handle formed the outer race for the balls, and they would wear. The new ones have a metal race, and spin with the best of them. Being a cheapskate, and since the nylon coating on my rod was still fully intact, I ordered a new handle and fitted it to my old rod. Now it spins as well as the best of them, and should last longer than I will. Dewey's coating is tougher than Bore Tech. I have both, and have used them extensively. Another good rod, if you want to use polished stainless, is the Pro Shot. I have some of the Bore Rider products, and it looks like I will be switching to using them all the time. For CF, these are the very best guides.
http://benchrest.com/barrelsaver/
There are others that are good, but IMO, these are the best. I made my own two rod case out of schedule 40 PVC pipe and fittings. It works well.

 

[fdshuster]

Being another cheapskate, a few years ago when my Dewey handles stopped spinning I took the handles apart & discovered the ball bearings turning on a plastic race, as did Boyd. The steel bearings had formed little dimples in the plastic surfaces. Used the appropriate sized steel washers for the bearings to turn on & those handles continue to turn as when new, today. Wrote to Dewey about the problem & received a hand-written letter from John Dewey saying that they knew of the problem & would have to bite the bullet ( cost of their tooling) & upgrade their handle design. I still have the letter from John Dewey. I then received, at no charge, replacement handles. About 2 years later, the new design handle became available, I took one apart & saw the steel race's and the addition of more bearings than the old handles had. I too have found the Dewey rod coating to be more durable than the BoreTech, both high quality products, and I have & continue to use both. The BT handles are a smaller diameter than the Dewey, so the BT's do clear my high comb stocks a little better than the Dewey. Great products & more importantly to me: Made in the USA.