SmallCaliberCentral

I just bought a Savage model 12 in 204 Ruger, so the first things I have to get for it is a cleaning rod, tip, and brush. I've been on line and it seems Dewy is the only one who makes a slotted cleaning tip in .17 cal, everything else is Jags. a jag is no problem for me but I prefer a slotted tip, so could you guys tell me what your useing to clean your 204's?
Thanks,
Paul

Hi. A PRO-SHOT 17 or 20 caliber slotted patch holder & everything else including the rod Montana X-treme.
Jim D

I've been using bore snakes on all my rifles and am using one on my .204. You can google bore snake vs cleaning rod and get all kinds of opinions.

I don't mind, I'll tell you what I do. I'm pretty pedantic though so it may be more than most do.

I stuff a rag/paper towel in the bore before the action.

Stand the rifle up.

On a small caliber I use a plastic syringe, suck up a bunch of Hoppe's 9 bore cleaner, shoot it down the barrel, let it sit for a couple hours.

Remove the paper towel.

Lube up the bore snake bristles with some CLP or Ballistol (or what ever your choice is), run it through the barrel twice , re-lubing the bristles between each pass.

The bore snakes have a loop at the bottom. After the above, I put a couple drops of Ballistol on the bristles and put a couple dry patches through the loop. I repeat until the patches come out clean.

Then, so I don't have a completely dry bore, I put a couple drops of Ballistol on the bristles, put a couple drops on some patches and pull the snake through.

It takes forever and by the end I'm ready to be done

I use stainless 17 cal rod with a home made plastic guide. It gets the job done, but I will upgrade to the new fiber rods Ive been hearing about. Less chance of bore damage from rod flex.

Some liquid bore cleaners are corrosive (and work well) so pay close attention and always follow up with a lube.

Ive recently tried JB non-embedding bore compound. Great stuff IMHO. The rest is just time effort and lots of patches and spray cleaner (Tetra Action cleaner) sprayed from the chamber on a standing barrel.

Using a slotted jag is one of the very worst things you can do to a rifle barrel. Think about it.....the jag will be in contact with the rifles bore during every pass. Do you really want a piece of metal, even brass rubbing on your lands?

A spear-point jag is the absolute best and prevents any metal from ever contacting the bore. Go to any rifle match and watch what the pro's are using. I'm betting you won't find a single person using a slotted jag.......ever.

I use a Dewy rod and a spear point jag. After the patch and jag clear the muzzle, the jag come offs before the Dewy comes back through.
I use Bucthes Bore Shine and Butches Gun Oil, I used both on my V/T during barrel break-in. I can't say it helped but the gun shoots extremely tight groups.

Let me clarify myself. I has just telling of another brand of slotted tip. I don't use a slotted tip except I use a Hoppes 22 caliber plastic slotted to clean my chamber & throat area only. For my patches I use the Montana X-treme brass pointed jag.
Jim D