New and stupid mistake

[ZombieLivesMatter]

Hi guys, a little background I've owned 10+ AR15s/AR10s the past few years but have decided to get in to Bolt Actions now. The Ruger Precision Rifle with it's similar AR15 ergonomics drew me in, also picked up a Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP and Atlas Bipod (along with the RPR which seems typical choice of newbie shooters like myself).

So on to my really newbie and stupid question. With my ARs I always used a boresnake and that was it. With this bolt action I wanted to do it right so I bought a Tipton Max Force one-piece carbon fiber rod, brass jags, and a Possum bore guide. I had a ton of extra cloth and decided to cut my own patches, well I cut one too big and it got stuck pushing from the breech to muzzle. I tried using a coat hanger but couldn't get a good grip to pull the patch back out, so I pushed the cleaning rod from the muzzle side in towards the breech and was able to get the patch out. Now I'm worried I hurt the crown because of all the research I read saying it's a big no no going in from the muzzle without a muzzle guide. Did I eff it up or am I being paranoid? Thanks in advance for answering this dumb question.

 

[Bender]

Meh, shoot it and see. I doubt you did anything permanent. Don’t clean unless groups open up. Boresnake is fine after a session....

 

[tnbowhunter]

I’ve got em stuck before too. It does suck but I haven’t hurt one yet. Usually can pull the rod out and squirt more solvent down to the patch and get it to push on through. But I have had to push the rod through the muzzle to get it out as well. Slow and carefully I don’t think you would hurt it. I likely wouldn’t try or recommend the coat hanger lol.

 

[...]

you didnt hurt the crown doing this once, especially since you have a muzzle brake on it.......you damage crowns doing it over and over again for years.

youre fine.....shoot and enjoy.....also you dropped $1K on a new rifle, dont cheap out over $5 on cleaning patches.

 

[ZombieLivesMatter]

You guys are awesome, thanks. I went really slow from the muzzle until I pushed out the patch. I've shot up to 400 yards with AR15/AR10/M1A the past few years, I'm excited to learn 1000+, thanks again guys.

 

[FishDr]

With some patches, it is advisable to use the next size smaller jag - or use the next smaller brush and wrap the patch on a brush. I haven’t stuck one since someone showed me that.

 

[magtech]

Did you damage the crown? Does it looked deformed some way. I pull my brake off regularly for cleaning and thats when I inspect my crown. Albeit I have a different gun/brake setup than the OP.

I'll be honest. 99% of the time I clean my rifles from muzzle to chamber. O NO, right. Not really.
I pull off my brake when cleaning and I am just careful not to screw up the crown. Am I doing it the internet way, who knows, but it works for me.
Hell, I even have steel push rods that are powder coated. They are slowly chipping, but if you are careful and not hell bent on getting it done you shouldn't hurt anything.