help with cleaning my SMLE

[bradaz11]

i bought one of these kits from breacher, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390966662898
and i have to say, i'm not really getting on with it that well. i dont really like the pull thru for cleaning, its fine with a boresnake, but i just struggle with this.

i have brass and steel rods with a 5mm thread, and converters for american threads, but kinda worried about the rods on the bore of the rifle etc, are there better rods out there which dont cost the earth? was looking at Tipton carbon fibre but i dont know....

Is a 30 cal brush ok for 303? are there bore guides somewhere?

so far looking at these...
http://jdreloading.com/guncare/gun-clea ... spear-jegs
http://jdreloading.com/guncare/barrel-b ... onze-rifle
http://jdreloading.com/guncare/rem-bore ... egee-30cal
and probably a mop..

open to suggestions on cleaning fluids too

[saddler]

I do chamber cleaning sticks...

[bradaz11]

right? what benefit do they give?

do you have a view on any of my questions/ suggestions above?

[Maggot]

i bought one of these kits from breacher, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390966662898
and i have to say, i'm not really getting on with it that well. i dont really like the pull thru for cleaning, its fine with a boresnake, but i just struggle with this.

i have brass and steel rods with a 5mm thread, and converters for american threads, but kinda worried about the rods on the bore of the rifle etc, are there better rods out there which dont cost the earth? was looking at Tipton carbon fibre but i dont know....

Is a 30 cal brush ok for 303? are there bore guides somewhere?

so far looking at these...
http://jdreloading.com/guncare/gun-clea ... spear-jegs
http://jdreloading.com/guncare/barrel-b ... onze-rifle
http://jdreloading.com/guncare/rem-bore ... egee-30cal
and probably a mop..

open to suggestions on cleaning fluids too

I used to use a Tipton, great rods, but I sold my long one with my Dolphin. I recently tried a Lyman from Hannams and its a very nice little rod and not too costly. Proshot rods are fine as well.

Dave Bonwick (shooting shed) makes very good bore guides. I have one for 2 out of my 3 rifles.

303 is .30 cal.

Different people have different ideas. I don't clean the hell out of my Lee which seems to keep it accurate, but I would not usually pull it through. Modern brushes etc pushed through are far less likely to damage the crown and the brushes do a better job of removing the crud.

Just a basic clean and oil the bore should do it fine.

In the mob we used to clean then re clean a few days later then oil because the bores were said to sweat.....no idea if this was a reality

I tend to patch it through with Mpro7 a couple of times, dry it and oil it. Always dry the bore before shooting, bullets down oiled bores are not a great idea.

I will only clean it fully if its laying up for a month or so, mine is getting shot several times a month at the mo.

A spear jag/bronze phosphor/hard nylon (Patriot) brush and a loop should see you right with a bag of 1000 patches. The chamber sticks are like what was issued with the bren and are shaped to hold and twist a bit of flannelette in the chamber to clean it. I have one and use it regularly.

Don't forget to periodically check various screws and keep them tight. I cannot comment on the smellie as I don't own one.

I have found that a dab of frog lube on the bolt rail and body make it as slick as hell for fast cycling (CSR etc)

Hope that helps a bit. There are folk on here who have forgotten more than I know but if it helps..... Now enjoy trying to get the best out of it. Its a challenge but incredibly satisfying when it comes together.

[bradaz11]

thanks for that answer! I hate cleaning rifles, so theres little danger of them being overcleaned . but i know they need it every so often

will have to message dave then

I've been eying up these rods now
http://www.riflecraft.co.uk/products/bo ... 0-564.aspx

although the carbon tipton's are still an option, but need to see what thread they are

i have also been looking at ballistol, but there seem to be a few options within that too, and im also being advised to get some C2R.

as for accuracy, its looking ok, this is with S&B 190gr rounds.

[bradaz11]

and do i want a 30 or 40" rod?

[Maggot]

and do i want a 30 or 40" rod?

You want a tape measure Bradaz



30 I think, check it out mate as I dont own a smellie

[bradaz11]

i know, i know!

32" takes me to the back of the action
25" barrel

so i was eyeing up these
http://www.riflecraft.co.uk/products/bo ... 6-565.aspx

only riflecraft's return policy isn't all that great, and doesnt seem to be in line with distance selling rules. so I dont want to buy it and then it be carp

[Blu]

Bradaz, when cleaning my No4 Enfield I use a 30 cal Tipton rod. I just measured it and it is 41 inches long so plenty of room for the bore guide. Also when cleaning the barrel I use a .45 cal nylon brush and it certainly moves the crap without damaging the barrel in any way.

[Rifles]

i know, i know!

32" takes me to the back of the action
25" barrel

so i was eyeing up these
http://www.riflecraft.co.uk/products/bo ... 6-565.aspx

only riflecraft's return policy isn't all that great, and doesnt seem to be in line with distance selling rules. so I dont want to buy it and then it be carp

Our returns policy is here: http://www.riflecraft.co.uk/rifles-info ... cy-23.aspx. Which part are you referring to?

Callum