Solvent-Resistant Cleaning Jags Eliminate “False Positives”
Brass jags perform well for their intended purpose — with one hitch. Strong copper solvents can actually leech metal from the jag itself, leaving the tell-tale blue tint on your patches. This “false positive” can be frustrating, and may lead shooters to over-clean their barrels.
Gunslick Nylon Spire-Point Jags
There are now some good alternatives to brass jags. The best may be the Gunslick® Nylon Snap-Lock™ jags shown at right. These never leave a “false positive”. A while back, Larry Bartholome, past USA F-Class Team Captain told us: “The best spear-type jags I have used are the GunSlick black nylon tips. I have used the model 92400 for the last couple years in my 6BR and 6.5-284s. Unlike the white plastic jags, these are strong and there’s no brass to worry about.” You can purchase these nylon jags directly from GunSlick just $1.49 each. At that price, they’re worth a try.
#92400 for 22 through 270 calibers: $1.49
#92421 for 30 through 375/8mm calibers: $1.49
#92423 for 38 through 38/9mm calibers: $1.49
Tipton Nickel-Coated Jags
If you prefer a metal jag, consider the Tipton Nickel-coated Ultra Jags, sold both individually and as a boxed set. All Tipton nickel-plated jags have 8-32 thread, except for the .17 caliber jag which has a 5-40 thread. The vast majority of user reviews have been very positive. A few guys have complained that the nickel-plated Tipton jags run oversize, but we use a .22-caliber jag in our 6mms anyway, so this hasn’t been a problem for us. Both the .22 cal and the .243/6mm cal nickel-plated jags cost $3.08 each at Midsouth. The complete 12-jag set, covering .17 to .45 calibers, including a flip-top carry case, is offered by Midsouth Shooters Supply for $17.62 (Midsouth item 094-500012).
Tipton also makes a nickle-plated 12-Jag Kit in a flat version with a see-through top. Sold by MidwayUSA for $16.99, this features an easy-to-use, clear-topped fitted caddy that can lie flat on your bench, or be attached vertically (to save space).
Clear-Coating Your Brass Jags
If you’re reluctant to give up your collection of brass jags (after all they’ve worked pretty well so far), try covering the jag itself with a thin, transparent coating. Forum Member BillPA says: “I give the brass jags a coat of clear lacquer or acrylic; that works for me”. You may need to experiment to find a coating that stands up to your favorite solvent. BillPA says: “The only solvent I’ve found that eats the lacquer off is TM Solution. Butch’s, Shooter’s Choice, or Wipe-Out don’t seem to bother it. Most of the time I use rattle-can clear lacquer”. If you’re feeling creative, you could even color-code your jags by adding tints to the clear-coat.
Similar Posts:
- Solvent-Resistant Jags — No More “False Positives”
- Brass Jag Alternatives: Nylon, Nickel, SS, Clear-Coated
- Handy 12-Piece Jag Kit on Sale at MidwayUSA
- Tipton Multi-Jag Kits on Sale
- Dewey Aluminum Jags Eliminate “False Positives”
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Tags: Bore Cleaning, Jag, Nickel, Nylon, Solvent
I have no experience with the Tipton jags mentioned in your review, but it’s worth noting that, depending on application conditions, nickel plating can be much harder than steel. In fact, that’s a frequent use — a hard, wear-resistant coating.
Boretech has been making an aluminium-alloy jag for a while now.. Proof-positive jags.
The copper proof jags are a great idea, but I have to wonder why they are all oversize for caliber?
I’ve tried Tipton, Dewey & Bore Tech & everytime I use them I must use one size smaller cleaning patches. What was “normal” for a 6mm ( 1 3/8″) is now too large & I must use 22 cal patches that are 1 1/8″.
Just had the same problem with a new 30 cal. chambering.
I am a long time high power competitor and I hold multiple High Master classifications. I read with interest and amusement the statement about “over cleaning” a rifle.I had a very regimented cleaning procedure that I was absolutely convinced was efficient and effective derived from my many years of cleaning my competition rifles.
One evening in competitor housing at the Whittington Center, several competitors were discussing how each cleaned their rifle. Well with great bravado and arrogance I assured all that would listen that my rifles were clean and my cleaning methods were superior to all others.
Well, a very good friend brought out his bore scope and said that we might should have a look inside those clean barrels.
YEP…you probably have guessed that neither barrel was clean!! I gasped when I viewed the image as the scope glided up and down those Palma barrels.I was …er..humbled to say the least!
I now use the bore scope EVERY time I clean the rifles to be sure that they are clean. Each cleaning may take a little more or a little less work to get the barrel clean…and only if you peer inside the hallowed tube will you know for sure!! Trust me!
Roy
It seems that the GunSlick jags are getting very mixed reviews, with several of them breaking. I ended up ordering the Hoppe’s versions after reading the feedback & reviews on several sites.
I have one by Bore Tech and its great.