Pull-throughs work with semiauto and lever-actions where cleaning rods may be impractical. With this method, there’s no need for a bore guide and you can get along nicely without a gun vise. I find myself increasingly drawn to the simplicity, speed and convenience of pull-through cleaning systems, such as the popular Otis kits. All this adds up to more expense than many new shooters want to incur. It’s also advantageous if the rifle is securely held in a vise with leather-padded jaws so you can keep both hands on the cleaning rod. Without a guide you’ll probably do damage. With any rifle-cleaning rod you must use a bore guide to keep the rod from flexing and rubbing on the front of the chamber and the rifling. Two sizes will cover most popular calibers one for. There are other good choices from Birchwood Casey, Bore-Tech, Lyman, Montana Extreme and Tipton - including some rods made of carbon fiber. If you use a cleaning rod, get a good one (meaning a one-piece coated specimen), large enough in diameter to reduce flexing.įor decades I’ve used J Dewey rods and have found no reason to search further. Poor quality equipment, incorrect technique and overzealous cleaning do more harm than good. The physician’s Hippocratic Oath “Do thy patient no harm” could be adapted to rifle cleaning.

You should also use a soft clean cloth to clean surplus oil from the action and exterior metal surfaces. I’d never fire a new rifle without running at least a few patches through the bore to remove any factory protective oil or grease. Only you, or those you authorize, should have access to your firearms and ammunition.Īnother essential is cleaning gear. No, you don’t need a fire-resistant, 48-gun capacity safe (not yet) but you should have - at a minimum - a locked closet, cabinet, or hard gun case well secured with a locking cable. Don’t wait.Īlso essential is some form of security system. These were discussed in a recent column so I won’t go into detail again, except to say get it now. In this category are eye and ear protection. Some are absolutely essential and need to be acquired before you ever fire your new rifle.

Security torx bits