It’s no secret that keeping the barrel of a rifle in tip-top shape is a key step in maintaining a safe and accurate rifle. Unfortunately, most shooters spend all their time cleaning the barrel and forget (or just don’t know how) to clean the action. It certainly isn’t the easiest chore, since the action has many small nooks and recesses that accumulate debris in the course of firing a round and working the bolt.
Several months ago, I finally got fed up with using q-tips and dental picks. While investigating my options, I came across the Action & Chamber Cleaning Tool Set manufactured by Tipton. At a price of only $9.29 from Midway USA, I decided it was worth a shot.
The kit includes a glass-filled nylon action cleaning tool that, when equipped with one of the included cylindrical cotton swabs, is designed to clean grit from the bolt raceways and locking lug surfaces. Also included is a chamber cleaning tool and two chamber mops (one for calibers .223 and under and another for .24 and up). Finally, the kit also includes a standard nylon brush and instructions on how to use the tools.
While the instructions may be evident to someone who is very familiar with rifles, they could be more descriptive. Fortunately, Larry Potterfield from Midway USA does a fantastic video “how-to” on cleaning the action of a bolt-action rifle using this set on the Midway USA website.
To access this video and learn the proper way to clean an action and chamber, click here.
Under the picture of the product, click on the “Product Videos” tab and click “play”.
Having used this kit multiple times to clean several different rifles, I can say now it’s well worth the $10. I would suggest also ordering extra cotton cleaning swabs since only 10 are supplied with the kit (they sell for $5.59 per 100 – also from Midway USA).
Sometimes it’s the little things that make life a whole lot easier. This is definitely the case with the Tipton Action and Chamber Cleaning Tool Set.
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