Cleaning a Long barrel

[Radar]

I'm new here, been researching a bit but haven't posted.
I've just bought my first center fire rifle and I've a few questions about cleaning it.

It's a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .243 and I've got a Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14x42 scope on it. I'll add pics later when the forum let's me (after a few more posts).

When I picked it up I asked for a 'kit' for cleaning it. The guy suggested a KleenBore .243 kit (~$30) so I grabbed that, some solvent and a jag to suit.

I got it home and had a chance to have a good look, grin my approval and give it a clean. After putting the cleaning rod together and comparing the length with the gun I realized it's a too small to clean from the end with the action. The barrel is 26inches and then there is the area where the bolt goes.

With the brush it's just long enough that it protrudes from the muzzle and I can unscrew it then pull out (with difficulty). But with the jag it's obviously not going to make the distance. Is there a different method of cleaning the barrel(like from muzzle end?) or should I be looking for some sort of extension. I wasn't too experimental because I didn't want to damage the muzzle/barrel.

If I can get this sorted I'd like to head out to Belmont tomorrow and have a shoot.

[Model70]

Gday radar welcome to the forum mate, I had the same problem with my first rifle, bought a nice little cleaning kit in a nice little box, to find it was only just long enough, untill it snapped at one of the joints. Ditch it mate and buy a nice one piece rod that will suit the jag, brush etc you already have.

[Simpson]

Most gun shops will sell extension pieces - well they do for the multi piece rods.

Is it a one piece rod or a kit one which breaks into about 5 or so pieces?

[Radar]

thanks fellas
It's a kit one.
If I can get an extension piece that'd suit for now, but I'll probably get a one piece down the track.

[Simpson]

Yeah ... when I say "extension piece" they are just sold as a replacement piece probably - for the odd occasion as Model70 has already touched on, when they break

[Simpson]

Yeah ... when I say "extension piece" they are just sold as a replacement piece probably - for the odd occasion as Model70 has already touched on, when they break

[Ned Kelly]

G'Day Radar,
obviously you have bought your dream rifle.......

So please look after it properly and use 1 pc rod. You're at risk of damaging the barrel with a multi piece rod. For the sake of $70-$80 get a dewey or similar cleaning rod and some jags to suit.

Your rifle will thank you with a good long life and years of service!

Cheerio Ned

[Simpson]

Have a look at the ones HAIR BEAR makes. There is a thread somewhere....

[Mullet]

The best deal on a one piece cleaning rod is a Parker Hale through your state Rifle Association store.
Dont ruin your new barrel with a crappy segmented rod.

[tikka]

Welcome Radar

nice package you got there mate, i have a burris fullfield 11 on my 243 and absolutely love the scope and wouldnt hesitate in buying another. All rifles need to be cleaned properly and that means a one piece rod, besides you have forked out alot of money there so your remo deserves a one piece rod mate.

Cheers

Geoff

[Rinso]

Radar,

http://ausvarmint.com/av/index.php?opti ... &Itemid=28

cheers
Rinso

[Radar]

thanks for the suggestions and warm welcome.

That's a good link Rinso, I learnt a bit from there.
I'll be looking around for a good one piece rod this week.

[Blackpete]

Hi Radar and welcome to the site mate,

just a quick suggestion to bolster the above comments, mate you very much need to get a good quality, one piece rod, i would not clean a rifle without one, but just as importantly, you also need to get your self a good bore guide. Try to get one with a fluid port, as for brushes and jags, i have found the black plastic/nylon one that clean bore put out is spot on. you can use them with you hoppies and sweets and you won't get the false readings you can get when using brass brushes.

Just remember when you're using sweets you only have to pass the brush through four or five times, then let it sit for about four minutes, it is a chemical reaction that removes the copper not the brushing, after your four min. patch it out really well then run a clean patch soaked in hoppies through it before storage.

Pete.

[Minivinne]

Hi Radar and welcome to the site mate,

just a quick suggestion to bolster the above comments, mate you very much need to get a good quality, one piece rod, i would not clean a rifle without one, but just as importantly, you also need to get your self a good bore guide. Try to get one with a fluid port, as for brushes and jags, i have found the black plastic/nylon one that clean bore put out is spot on. you can use them with you hoppies and sweets and you won't get the false readings you can get when using brass brushes.

Just remember when you're using sweets you only have to pass the brush through four or five times, then let it sit for about four minutes, it is a chemical reaction that removes the copper not the brushing, after your four min. patch it out really well then run a clean patch soaked in hoppies through it before storage.

Pete.

Why would you want to leave Cleaning solvent in your barrel for storage? isnt that whats a good oil is meant for, i think the name solvent would be enough to think whats long term use going to do to the barrel if left in

Im not sure about hoppes but a friend of mine did the same thing with Sweets and after he had finished with that barrel and got a new one he cut the old one in half lenght wise and found it full of tiny micro fractures and pitting. was it from the solvent left in for storage?? whos know as for me im not taking that chance.

Jase

[alpal]

I think blackpete was refering to hoppes#9 gun oil, not a solvent to my knowledge.
Regards alpal.