PATCHES

[JSH]

I have found different jags me require different patches, because of OD and thread count/thickness.
One can get by fairly good with a 17 rod and jag, go to a 6mm patch.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I placed an order with Rigel Products on Dec 31. No status change in the order, no shipment. Unable to email them questions??

 

[carbon]

For 204 I use a 17cal Montana X-treme jag that allows a back and forth motion due to its opposing ridges. Its backend diameter (where it meets the rod) just happens to be the exact same as my Proshot 17cal rod. Nice and smooth interface.

Using Hoppe’s #9, the first few patches I push through just once out the muzzle as I want the really dirty deposits out and not rubbed around. After 2-3 patches I then go to the back and forth method as it really shortens my cleaning time vs using “one-patch-one-pass” typical method. I can also concentrate on the throat area this way.

• Rod: Proshot 17cal SS
• Jag: Montana X-treme brass 17cal
• Patches:
  • ★ Proshot 1 1/8” square – initial use when dirty
  • ★ Proshot 1 3/8” square – use after above; tight but allows back/forth motion

I own the Montana 204 jag as well, which is the same backend diameter as their 17cal jag, so it would be used on my Proshot 17cal rod for the same reason. I found that with the 204 jag and Proshot 1” round patches that I’d get some quite tight pushes and some not…must be my lot of patches?

So I just use the 17cal solution. The longer patches cover more of the jag’s ridges anyhow, which makes me a little less concerned for the bore/crown and accidental contact.

The jag I use, below:

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Recently bought a .204 Ruger and to clean it I bought a rod and some patches from Dewey.

The rod is great but the patches I am not happy with!

They are woven too loosely and are pretty slow to absorb liquids. a lot just rolls off.

Can anyone recommend a better brand?

Hip

Here's what I do. Had the same issue. I buy Butch's 1-1/8 inch patches. Then I cut them a bit. . Trim some off two sides. Then I poke a hole in the middle with a pointy thing I have.
BUT, the last bag of Butch's I bought seem thinner, and I only have to cut two corners off a bit.
I use a pointy jag as that's all you can find.

 

[MTPaul]

For 204 I use a 17cal Montana X-treme jag that allows a back and forth motion due to its opposing ridges. Its backend diameter (where it meets the rod) just happens to be the exact same as my Proshot 17cal rod. Nice and smooth interface.

Using Hoppe’s #9, the first few patches I push through just once out the muzzle as I want the really dirty deposits out and not rubbed around. After 2-3 patches I then go to the back and forth method as it really shortens my cleaning time vs using “one-patch-one-pass” typical method. I can also concentrate on the throat area this way.

• Rod: Proshot 17cal SS
• Jag: Montana X-treme brass 17cal
• Patches:
  • ★ Proshot 1 1/8” square – initial use when dirty
  • ★ Proshot 1 3/8” square – use after above; tight but allows back/forth motion

I own the Montana 204 jag as well, which is the same backend diameter as their 17cal jag, so it would be used on my Proshot 17cal rod for the same reason. I found that with the 204 jag and Proshot 1” round patches that I’d get some quite tight pushes and some not…must be my lot of patches?

So I just use the 17cal solution. The longer patches cover more of the jag’s ridges anyhow, which makes me a little less concerned for the bore/crown and accidental contact.

The jag I use, below:
View attachment 1729390

Carbon - Thanks for sharing your cleaning regimen and some of the products you use. I too follow a similar method to yours in that the first series of wet patches with my cleaning solvent of choice, is pushed all the way thru the bore. I then follow this with a series of dry patches, "back and forth", until I am satisfied with the result. I also line up my patches next to one another so I can visually see the improvement over time.

I was curious about one product you mentioned: Montana 204 jag. I see Montana Extreme offers a 20-caliber brass jag with 5-40 threads, but I don't see mention of a 204 jag. Did you mean to reference the 20-caliber?

 

[carbon]

Carbon - Thanks for sharing your cleaning regimen and some of the products you use. I too follow a similar method to yours in that the first series of wet patches with my cleaning solvent of choice, is pushed all the way thru the bore. I then follow this with a series of dry patches, "back and forth", until I am satisfied with the result. I also line up my patches next to one another so I can visually see the improvement over time.

I was curious about one product you mentioned: Montana 204 jag. I see Montana Extreme offers a 20-caliber brass jag with 5-40 threads, but I don't see mention of a 204 jag. Did you mean to reference the 20-caliber?

Yeah, I meant the 20cal jag. Although, as mentioned, I wound up using the 17cal jag for my 204. I might buy their 22cal jag and rod, as I don’t believe their 22cal jag’s diameter meshes perfectly with my Proshot 22cal rod.

I like Montana’s jags much better than Proshot’s Parker Hale clones as they are so, so so much faster to use. And they seem to do the exact same thing…although one could argue that the increased surface area of a large wrapped patch on a PH jag is more efficient. It just takes me ages to cut a jag to the right PH size and laboriously wrap it and not have it unfurl when inserting into the bore (especially with an abrasive applied). Messy.

The Montana jag is as easy to use as any spear point jag.

I should note that all of my patches are wet.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I should note that all of my patches are wet.

Do you not use dry patches to wipe out all the solvent and crud as the final few strokes through the barrel?

 

[carbon]

Do you not use dry patches to wipe out all the solvent and crud as the final few strokes through the barrel?

No, I push a wet patch through and leave a film of Hoppe’s #9 as a protectant. I follow Frank Green’s advice (owner of Bartlein Barrels) for cleaning as I just threw up my hands for trying to figure it out for myself. So many false and dubious claims out there from manufacturers, you see.

He leaves a film of #9 and then before shooting, he uses a patch or three more #9 (as the solvent slowly keeps working, and I think the steel keeps releasing stuff) followed by a few dry patches.

Don’t do this with any water-based solvent! Rusty.

I’ll attach his pdf about cleaning, which you can get yourself by emailing him.

 

[Bill Norris]

I placed an order with Rigel Products on Dec 31. No status change in the order, no shipment. Unable to email them questions??

Yep, sitting here looking at my order with no shipping info yet either.

 

[7br]

Awhile ago (maybe 15 years or so) a friend gave me a tote bag full of G.I. 556 patches, 1000 to a box. Had to be around 25 boxes cause I’m still using them with plenty to go yet. They’re thick but work great using a jag that’s one caliber smaller (eg, a .17 jag for .204, .224 jag for 6mm). As stated I haven’t had to buy any but from what I see on line they’re not expensive.

 

[Paddyd]

I use an old flannel cloth. I use the paper cuter at work to cut nice neat squares at the perfect size to fit my jags.

 

[SGT. Slaughter]

Accuracy One makes some great patches imho!

 

[Fern]

I use the pro shot ones like Rick suggested. I did buy some Cotten flannel fabric on clearance from Joanne’s when they were going out of business.
I want to find a way to cut right size circles. Imagined like a sharp punch I could fold over the fabric into multiple layers the the tool maybe a pipe to punch through it.
I still have some pro shot patches to hold me over