Cleaning a Mini-30 semi... the right way.

[BoltGuy]

Hello All...

First, a confession: I love bolt-action rifles.

I know how to shoot them, and I know how to clean them. With regard to the latter, I am serious both about investing in the right tools for cleaning, and the commitment I make to immediately clean my rifles each time I get back from the range. I have my cleaning regimen honed to totally effective 20 to 30 minutes per rifle.

I am Benchrester. And, I admit that I am a little bit fanatical about the gun cleaning thing. My awesome wife got me a borescope for Christmas last year. I almost cried.

Just setting the stage here.

So recently, I picked up a Ruger Mini 30 Ranch 6.8mm SPC; my first semi-auto. Upon completing the transaction, I asked the salesguy, "Just how does one clean the barrel of a semi-automatic rifle?" He said something like, "you get yerself one of them there 12 dollar cleaning kits with them screw-together aluminum rods. Then ya screw on that there little loop and pull a little 'patch' [he fingered the quotes in mid air...] through the loop. Then, ya wet down the patch with some Hoppe's #9, and you push it into the end of the barrel and keep pushing it until it shows up in that slot where that little black box thing called a 'magazine' [again with the air quotes] goes."

I was nauseous.

The aforementioned wonderful wife came over and said, "Honey, you ok? You don't look so good." "It's time to go," I said.

So, are there any fanatical semi-auto cleaners here?

I just can't bring myself to clean from the muzzle. So, unless I am going to remove the barrel every time I shoot, it looks like I need to use one of those coated flexible cleaning cables, yes? I've never used one, but have seen others do so at the range from time to time.

Is there a flexible rod that uses Parker Hale jags or something similar?

And, is there something similar to a bore guide for semi-autos? I would not like getting solvent down in the receiver when I pull the patch through.

Surely there must be some competition-quality cleaning systems and methods for semi-automatic rifles out there, but since this is my first, I don't even know where to look.

Or maybe, I just have to field-strip the thing and remove the barrel each time I get back from the range?

All help appreciated.

BoltGuy

 

[DGW1949]

Lay the brush into the action.
Using a bore giude, instert a steel rod through the bore.
Screw the brush onto the rod.
Pull the brush through the bore.

Works with patches too. Don't use a slotted-tip holder though....wrapping the patch over a smaller-caliber brush works much better for pulling.

I've cleaned my M1 Match Rifle that way for years.

DGW....who doesn't PUSH anything into his rifle bore.

 

[blume357]

I've heard you can damage the crown of a rifle cleaning from the outer end... I've actually yet to see it....

Either way... I just use a bore snake ever 3-500 rounds.

 

[Sig685]

Hey Bolt Guy, don't worry about cleaning from the muzzle, the Mini-14/30 is not what you would think of as Benchrest Level when it comes to accuracy. Think shotgun here.

Also, you can get a crown protector so that you can clean from the muzzle, but you will not be able to tell the difference in the overall accuracy if you knick the crown, it may even improve it.

Just for the record, most semi-autos suffer from this problem, except ARs, of course.

 

[robertkirksey]

I have seen too many Garands with belled out muzzles that shoot terribly to consider sticking a cleaning rod down a rifle from the muzzle. Yes, I know most of the damage was done by recruits who did not know better or did not care enough to be careful, but even using a bore guide, accidents will happen.

I use spray Kroil, let it soak overnight and pull a bore snake through a couple of times and consider the job done.

Don't listen to the guy who considers the Mini 14 a shotgun. YES, the average Mini is not as accurate as the average AR. It is accurate enough and the new ones are even better.

At the range the other day, firing prone using a strap in the "hasty sling" configuration at 100 yards all rounds would have easily made head shots. I have since removed the fixed loops and drilled out the holes for 1 1/4" QD swivels and a military shooting sling. I know this will shrink groups considerably.

Also, give me a 3 minute Mini over an AR with a condition 3 malfunction any day.

 

[DGW1949]

Pushing a tight-fitted bush or patch will cause the rod to flex against the bore, not the muzzle....which is protected by the brass bore-guide. Pulling a rod does not cause it to flex....period.

I've heard of bore snakes. I even seen one in it's packaging once. Looks like a perty straight-forward device to me, and I wouldn't be oppossed to using one. Leastways, not as long as it was new, or clean, and not contaminated with last week's crud. I'd still want to use it with some sort of bore guide though.

I've alswo heard of folks who rig-up a tank which is filled with some sort of elecrticly-charged solution that sort of "lifts" the embedded jacket material out of the barrel and chamber.

Cleaning chemicals are a whole other subject.
Me?....I'm a Hoppes and JB Paste man. But I'm an old guy, set in his ways.

Lots of ways to skin the cat. My way aint the only way for sure. Heck, it might not even be the best way.
All I know is that it works for me, it don't require nothing special, and it don't damage my rifle....so I aint seen a reason to change the proccess.
Gotta admit though, my way is slow to complete....takes about a week or so, start to finish. Maybe that's why Service Rifle Matches are held monthly....so's to occomidate us old guys with the old guns? :lol: .

DGW

 

[onthehunt]

[/quote]Just for the record, most semi-autos suffer from this problem, except ARs, of course

Since you will be cleaning so much they went ahead and made it real easy.

 

[Canazes9]

Just for the record, most semi-autos suffer from this problem, except ARs, of course.

FYI,

I realize you did not specifically exclude it here, but for the record - the Benelli R1 can be stripped and cleaned from the chamber. It's a nice system, good accuracy, mild recoil, etc... Wood stocks are an option as are 10 round magazines.

David

 

[Sig685]

Just for the record, most semi-autos suffer from this problem, except ARs, of course

Since you will be cleaning so much they went ahead and made it real easy.

I realise you probably do not know the difference between a barrel and a bolt, but the original question is about how to best clean the barrel of the Mini-14. The bolt of the Mini-14 is not quite as easy to get to as the AR's, but it's pretty simple, just like you.

The problem is cleaning the barrel and chamber of a Mini-14 and there is just no good way of doing that. This problem is common to the Mini-14, M-14, M1 design, none of which are noted for their accuracy.

 

[onthehunt]

I've been called simple before. I'll take it as a compliment from you. At least I can spell. I would also call the mini simple. Some take that as a good thing.

I realise

:lol:

 

[Sig685]

Ok, so you're simple and ignorant.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/realise

Also, you do not read very well, I said it was pretty simple to take the bolt out of the Mini-14, but not as simple as in an AR.

 

[onthehunt]

Ah crap. Ya got me!

 

[DGW1949]

From Sig685.....
"The problem is cleaning the barrel and chamber of a Mini-14 and there is just no good way of doing that. This problem is common to the Mini-14, M-14, M1 design, none of which are noted for their accuracy."[/quote]

...............................................................................

Yes there is.
More than one way to do it has been provided already.

We all realize your blind love of the Stoner platformm but AR's aint the subject here. Nor is it the accuracy of old-style service rifles.....which BTW, you are handing-out incorrect information about.
Your condensending remarks to the OP didn't serve a usefull purpose neither.

Maybe you should do us all a favor....go fondle your AR and leave this discussion to the folks who's trying to contibute something helpfull....huh?

That's all I got to say about that.

DGW

 

[wetidlerjr]

...The problem is cleaning the barrel and chamber of a Mini-14 and there is just no good way of doing that. This problem is common to the Mini-14, M-14, M1 design, none of which are noted for their accuracy.

Stop it ! Stop it ! You're killing me ! I don't know what your occupation is but you need to quit your job and start doing "stand-up" comedy.

 

[Sig685]

Yes there is.
More than one way to do it has been provided already.

We all realize your blind love of the Stoner platformm but AR's aint the subject here. Nor is it the accuracy of old-style service rifles.....which BTW, you are handing-out incorrect information about.
Your condensending remarks to the OP didn't serve a usefull purpose neither.

Maybe you should do us all a favor....go fondle your AR and leave this discussion to the folks who's trying to contibute something helpfull....huh?

That's all I got to say about that.

DGW

Oh please spare us your sermons and you could at least get some of your information straight. The op is not looking for a 'bore giude" (sic) he needs a crown protector or muzzle guard like the one here from Brownells:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=5650 ... ZLE_GUARDS

For his 6.8, he should probably get 234-802-027.

 

[DGW1949]

Ah....positive input...and not a single AR remark.
Maybe my "sermon" worked.
Wow.
Thank you.

Yeah, a muzzle guide might suffice. Might even work fine.
I prefer a brass bore-guide though.....because it posatively keeps the rod off the crown, and away from the muzzle-portion of the barrel.....but that's what makes a horse race.

Thanks for the input. It gave the OP another option...which is a good thing.

DGW

 

[Sig685]

No, your sermon didn't "work". I have alwasy provided reams of valid information in this forum. I know more about the Mini than you will ever know even though I no longer own one. And I know even more, if that's even possible, about the AR-15.

The OP is a benchrester who reveres his barrels and gets sick when he has to clean it from the bore.

The Mini-14 suffers from the same problem as the M14 and the M1 and other similar semi-autos. But since accuracy is not an issue in any of these, have at it from the muzzle.

 

[BoltGuy]

Thanks to all for the replies. I see we get a little feisty `round here

My reference to bore guide was unclear. I was trying to ask if there is some insert that would protect the action from solvents, debris, etc. -- much like a bore guide does for bolt actions.

As far as using a muzzle guard and going at it from that end, it may be a solution -- but is not my preference. Still, if I were to go that route, I would pull of course, but would feel better about it all if there was some way to protect the receiver. Maybe, I could jury rig something?

On the subject of a BoreSnake, they may be fine, but I just can't bring myself to use them. I just have too many concerns about them. I see more of them, though, so I could be wrong.

Now, with regard to the Mini-30 itself, I will say it is kinda fun. For a ranch rifle, it seems accurate enough. Still I am thinking about sending it out to have a precision barrel and trigger installed, stock replaced, etc.

Anyone heard of these folks?

http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com

They offer a sub-MOA guaranty @ 100. Not bad, considering what this gun is.

Thanks...

BoltGuy

 

[wetidlerjr]

...Anyone heard of these folks?

http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com

They offer a sub-MOA guaranty @ 100. Not bad, considering what this gun is.

Thanks...

BoltGuy

From what I have read, they do excellent work but it's not inexpensive. I have no first-hand knowledge if their work, though.

 

[robertkirksey]

Forget it! We all know that design is all wrong. It's really a shame, too, since the M-1 Garand was showing so much promise during WW II and Korea. I guess the inability to hit anything with it is what killed it. Right, Sig?

The military is really showing it's ignorance in bringing them back for use in the sand and mountains (in M-14 form).

At least enemies will not have to be shot twice to the torso and if still standing, once to the head as required now. That is, if they can be hit with an M-14.