Cleaning Jag for.577 Enfield

[Stan flanery]

i would appreciate some help on using the right size cleaning jag. I have a .577 enfield, and I bought a cleaning jag for a 1858 enfield. My problem is with a thin wet cotton patch it gets stuck in the barrel when I pull it back out. Have you guys had this problem or what caliber jag should I be using? Since the getting the jag stuck and taking forever to get it out I have been using a loop jag.

 

[Pete G]

Sounds like the patch is jamming because the jag is too small. Try a thicker patch or maybe double your current patches.

 

[Stan flanery]

Sounds like the patch is jamming because the jag is too small. Try a thicker patch or maybe double your current patches.

Thank you, I never thought of it in that way.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Where in the barrel does the patch get stuck?

You want a slightly small jag so the wet patch slides over the fouling and bunches up to pull the fouling out. If the jag is not getting caught at the breech in the flash channel, then I would say the jag is too large if it is tight on the entry stroke.

 

[Stan flanery]

Where in the barrel does the patch get stuck?

You want a slightly small jag so the wet patch slides over the fouling and bunches up to pull the fouling out. If the jag is not getting caught at the breech in the flash channel, then I would say the jag is too large if it is tight on the entry stroke.

Grenadier, I pushed the rod all the way to the bottom of the barrel and when I started to pull it back it was stuck. I like to have never got it out.

 

[bisleyjohn]

Sounds like the patch is folding back on itself.

I turned my own jag out of a piece of brass. o/d .550 with several grooves and a ‘split’ down the length into which I put the patch, then twist the rod so that the patch wraps over itself thus ‘locking’ it onto the rod. I use a cotton (military 4x2) cut to 3x2. This gives me a touch fit throughout the length of the bore. Hope this helps?

 

[52Bore]

Use short strokes up/down as you proceed toward the breech with a damp patch will help reduce getting stuck.

 

[Stan flanery]

Use short strokes up/down as you proceed toward the breech with a damp patch will help reduce getting stuck.

52bore, thanks for the reply. I will try that.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Grenadier, I pushed the rod all the way to the bottom of the barrel and when I started to pull it back it was stuck. I like to have never got it out.

that's gonna happen with a too tight jag and a too dry patch.....
Use a 58 cal jag, turn it down 10 thous or so in an electric drill using sandpaper or a file file.
Make sure you have a very damp if not a wet patch.
If the bore is really dirty - make several runs at it and don't go deep - but work your way down and rinse or replace the patch(s) as your go.
Take you time, not that hard to overcome with a little time and a little cleaner.
If you get one stuck like you did, pour some liquid down the bore and then work the rod up and down in short strokes. It will clear....

 

[Stan flanery]

that's gonna happen with a too tight jag and a too dry patch.....
Use a 58 cal jag, turn it down 10 thous or so in an electric drill using sandpaper or a file file.
Make sure you have a very damp if not a wet patch.
If the bore is really dirty - make several runs at it and don't go deep - but work your way down and rinse or replace the patch(s) as your go.
Take you time, not that hard to overcome with a little time and a little cleaner.
If you get one stuck like you did, pour some liquid down the bore and then work the rod up and down in short strokes. It will clear....

Griz44, thanks for the advice. I’m glad we have this forum.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Griz44, thanks for the advice. I’m glad we have this forum.

That's why we are all here Stan, was not that long ago I was just learning a lot of this from the fine members of this forum.
There are many centuries of experience here to go along with equally massive personalities....

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

IF’N YOUS DOES get the patch stuck in a fouled bore that otherwise would not normally become enstuckered, as a last ditch emergency option you can swizzle some water down the bore and let it sit for a minute. Sometimes, it’s all it needs to dissolve the crud keeping the jag n’ patch planted in its spot. When removing, make sure the surface you are above isn’t so important, as it can gush forth black enfouled water.

 

[Stan flanery]

Thanks for your reply, Smokey. I will keep that in mind.