Unless you can see copper in the bore,or your patches won't come out clean,I don't even use a brush.

That's why I use nylon brushes.

if your gonna use a brush, use nylon brushes. I can't see putting metal brushes down my barrel. IN fact, i have stopped using them all together. I usually dunk a patch in the cleaning solution and then squeeze it so it's not dripping wet. Run it down the barrel and then out. Wait 5 minutes and use dry patches to clean it. I do this twice and i am good.

Then i run a lighty oiled patch down the barrel and then a dry patch after that. Done!.

I feel proper barrel break-in goes a long wayin helping a barrel to clean up quickly.

In my younger days I didn't know better and used the Hoppes cleaning kit with the bronze brushes,3pc screw together rod,etc.Most definitely a mistake!Only nylon brushes should be used-never metal along with a synthetic 1pc rod.Metal rods and brushes can ruin the bore.As far as cleaning solutions go be sure it works on copper or it will build up over time and accuracy will drop off.It's easier to get all the crud out if you let it soak over night.Good luck!

While I think nylon brush is probably a happy middle ground. I do not believe that a standard brush will damage the barrel. At least not before it's shot out.

Tom

Yes, proper break-in will help reduce clean-up time and will also help accuracy.

Go to the Badger Barrel site for a good explanation of proper break-in.

Ok one thing I now know that I did wrong was that I didn't allow the brush to spin in the bore. I held onto the rod when I pushed it some not the handle which spins. I was told the brush should spin with the rifling. However, since I didn't allow that am I going to risk any damage?

I was told by a gunsmith not to use brushes but it seemed like it got soo much more stuff out than not using one.

I'm hoping I didn't damage anything. I may just go back to not using them.

You didn't damage anything. The barrel is made of steel.

Tom

Ok thanks. So even though I did probably 60 or more strokes on each barrel it should still be fine? I may just go back to not using brushes.