Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
It isn't the solvent that is used to clean the barrel that is the problem it is usually the rod, and not using a bore guide. People damage the crown and rifling buy using metal rods that are screwed together and not using a bore guide. 1 piece coated rods like Dewey rods are the safest to use alone with a good bronze jag, and a bore guide. A sectioned metal rod flexing in the bore can easily damage the rifling. The problem arises where the rods are joined. The crown can get damaged by pushing the jag way past the crown then nicking it pulling it back through the barrel and out of the chamber again. Bore snakes are great for novice shooters.
I used to talk to a lot of Bench Rest shooters and many of them claim the most damage done to barrels was by novice shooters cleaning them wrong. It made a lot of sense when it was explained to me. Keep in mind most shooters don't shoot sub MOA groups so they might not notice barrel problems until they get real bad.
This is true; I have also spent a LOT of time with bench rest shooters and done some bench rest shooting myself. Multi-sectioned rods are pure junk (if you are concerned about the health of the barrel). While Dewey coated rods are fine when they are new, over time they become worthless too. The coating becomes impregnated with grit/abrasive and the coating flakes off leaving you with a rod that is nearly as bad as a multi-sectioned one. In the past 5 years or so I have dumped all of my Dewey rods and started using carbon fiber rods like the ones sold by Tipton. The handles are so much better than Dewey (I have large hands) and they feel much more sturdy.
The other issue with cleaning is allowing the rod to go out the end of barrel and then partially back inside (even if it is to only bump the end). Aside from the jag possibly hitting/snagging the barrel, the patch is loaded with crud and over time can have a "compounding" effect on the crown, thereby causing the barrel to be less accurate. I have also reduced the use of brass brushes (NEVER use a stainless brush on a bore), and have turned to using nylon brushes. In my experience, if the barrel is becoming so fouled that a nylon brush and patches will not clean it, then the powder/bullet combination needs to be examined or the barrel is too rough on the inside (which usually means it is not very accurate anyway). I use Hart barrels exclusively (I have used Shilen and Krieger in the past too), and my patches "squeak" when I run them through the bore--I have rarely if ever heard that on an OEM barrel.
To the OP's original thoughts, barrel life can vary depending on many factors. Some cartridges are more prone to throat erosion and barrel wear--particularly those that are "over bored" such as the WSSM family, .220 Swift, .22-6MM, belted magnums, most of the larger Weatherby cartridges, and the like. TBT many reloaders go for the "max load" (which can accelerate the wear) and it is not needed and in many cases is not the most accurate load.
Just my $0.02...
Good info. With regard to the Dewey rods, I keep mine clean and get good service out of them. However if I see or feel any indication of wear or anything suspect with the rod it would get tossed and replaced. The bottom line is this: If you have a rifle you care about learn how to properly clean it, and use good tools to do it. There are other good cleaning rods on the market, Dewey is one of a few. I consider it a wear item and should have made that clear! Screw together sectional metal rods are garbage and can damage a barrel, especially when used w/o a good bore guide and in the hands of a novice barrel cleaner.
