I have been using the bore snake for a number of years. However, it is not my primary means of cleaning. I bring the snake whenever I go hunting. If I manage to get snow into the barrel, hunting in Manitoba & Saskatchewan its fairly common, I simply run the snake through it. I also apply a little dab of oil to the end of the snake when bringing in the gun over night during the hunting season. As for washing it, I hand wash it with dish soap and rinse the living hell out of it with cold water.