So I just bought a bore snake to carry with me in the field for my new Ruger.270 wsm. I have never used one before, but bought the Hoppe's for .270-7mm range. I am having heck getting in all the way through the barrel, as it seems to hang up about 1/4 down from the chamber. Should I force it through? I don't want to damage the rifling. Is there any reason a snake for a regular .270 would not work for a .270 wsm? Also, does anyone know if I need to remove the screw holding the bolt release pivot in place, or just loosen it? I hate taking a screwdriver to a newly finished surface, because I know I am going to scratch it. And no, the users manual does not say. Thanks for any help.

Yes, force it through. I remember the first time I used a boresnake in my .243, I was pulling so hard I thought something was going to break. In actuality, the bore was just that dirty. If you use it after every time you go to the range, it gets to be a lot easier to pull through. Yes, the bore of the .270 is the same as the .270 WSM, the chamber is whats different, and since the boresnake doesnt clean the chamber, it doesnt make a difference. DONT take out the bolt release screw or loosen it. Unless the Rugers have changed in the last 4 years, yours is the same as mine and all you have to do is remove the bolt by pulling the bolt release to the side at the same time as you are pulling the bolt out. The manual ought to say how to do it. Remember, always clean from the chamber to the end of the gun, never from the muzzle, as you can damage the crown of the rifle. I think I pretty much answered all your questions, but if your still confused post up the problem.

"The road goes on forever and the party never ends."

[This message has been edited by mneisch (edited 1/8/2007 4:43p).]

I used one for the first time recently, too, and I thought the damn thing was stuck for a minute there. The first thing that pops into my head is having to go get a special ramrod to jam it out. But i stepped on the end of it, and pulled up with the rifle, and it pulled through. The second and third passes were a bit easier. The brass bristles in the middle on a new one are stiff and don't give, and I think they are angled slightly forward, so they really resist going through the barrel. They sure do make cleaning fast and easy, though. My brother tells me that is all they use in Iraq for barrels, because it is so convenient.

The brass bristles can't damage the bore, it isn't anything close to as hard as steel.

[This message has been edited by MouthBQ98 (edited 1/8/2007 4:59p).]

Maybe I am this stupid, but the "bolt stop release" looks like its on a pivot and should pivot "up" towards the scope. From the manual:
Open bolt and pull to the rear while at the same time
pivoting open the bolt stop which is located on the left side of the receiver on
the right-handed version and the right side of the receiver on the left-handed
version.

The pivot does not want to seem to move and I hate to get physical with it, which makes me think the screw opposite the pivot needs to be loosened. I will look at it again this evening when I get home from work. Thanks for your help.

Acutally it pivots out, away from the rifle. With the gun pointed muzzle first, you would pivot it to the left, and pull the bolt out at the same time.

Normal


Open


Hope this helps.

"The road goes on forever and the party never ends."

When I used one for the first time on my PS90, I had concerns too. I really had to pull to get it out near the end. I asked on the PS90 board, however, and was told that it is normal.

Now, when I do it, KNOWING how hard I must pull ahead of time, it doesn't seem that bad.

I bought the boresnake after I got tired of using the long cleaning rod, and having the rod bend/bow slightly as I tried to push it thru the barrel using the handle on the end (had to always end up pushing the rod down using the middle of the rod so it wouldn't bend, and then banging my hand against the bore when the brush first cleared... :p )

Visit: http://www.handgunforum.net/

I definetly think boresnakes have their role, but I still use a rod. You can only clean the bore so well with the snake, and I have been using the rod along with a copper solvent to break in my .223. The thing is I had to buy an expensive, >$25, rod in order to not run into the problem of it bending and flexing.

"The road goes on forever and the party never ends."

Mneisch,
Thanks a ton man. Yeah, that definitely clears it up. I just visioned it pivoting the other way, so I would have never figured it out. You help is very much appreciated...more than you know. Maybe I should stick to fishing? If you ever have any of those questions, let me know. Thanks again.

I figured the pictures would help alot, its hard to describe in words what it should do. Had that Ruger for almost 5 years now and love it, they are very solid well built guns. I know you are going to enjoy it. I just have a knack for anything relating to guns. Any more questions feel free to ask.

"The road goes on forever and the party never ends."

Hah! I bought one last week and the same thing happened to me. I was afraid I was tearing my barrel a new one. Glad to know I'm not alone. Like others said, after a few pulls through it got MUCH easier.

Drop the weight through until it hits the ground. Next, stand on the weight and pull the rifle up so the snake can pass through with all of the extra leverage. If you put some good solvent on 3-4 inches ahead of the brushes, it slides better and cleans more. 2-3 passes and your bore should be spotless. Try Gunslick foam if it remains dirty and run one more pass with the snake. That should get it all.

[This message has been edited by 1989 (edited 1/9/2007 9:37p).]