Dewey Rods & Bore Guide

For gun cleaning of any consequence, one-piece rods are the only way to fly. Their bore guide also keeps solvents from dribbling into the action while cleaning.

While checking out the Answer Products gun cleaning kit, I had my first opportunity to use some high-quality cleaning rods from J. Dewey Mfg. These rods came highly recommended by Sam Johnson of Answer Products, who uses Dewey rods exclusively in his gunsmithing business. In his words, "you can't wear 'em out!"

I admit it, I was new to one-piece cleaning rods. These are the first really good cleaning rods I've ever owned or used. Previous to this, all I had used were the old screw-together rods, usually Hoppe's brand. Now don't get me wrong; those old standbys serve a purpose... but for gun cleaning of any consequence, one-piece rods are the only way to fly.

What I ended up getting from Dewey was 2 rods; one for a .222 bolt action, and one for a 30-30 Winchester carbine. These rods are one-piece spring steel, coated with nylon to protect your gun's bore. Dewey states that the coating "will not peel or pick up abrasives." The rods are male threaded (unlike most sectional rods), "to allow a thicker coating of Nylon giving you longer wear and better protection."

My rods each included an adapter (gender & thread changer) to allow the use of all my standard male-threaded brushes, jags, etc, along with a serrated brass jag for each caliber. Several other male-threaded accessories are also available from Dewey.

The ball-bearing handles are of amazing quality and are easy to grip. They spin effortlessly on their bearings, ensuring that there will be no binding of the rod. This allows your jag or brush to freely rotate within your gun's rifling, as it should. From the feel of these bearings, they should last the average shooter for many years, if not forever. The handle on the longer rod stood up to my taking a hammer to it when it became necessary, and it still works fine.

Why two rods rather than one? Well, the .22 caliber rod (36" of rod) needs to be longer for my needs, as I'll be cleaning a bolt-action rifle with it. Whenever possible, rifles should be cleaned from the breech rather than the muzzle, and the longer rod allows one to clean from the rear... the rod must be somewhat longer than the barrel and action combined. The .30 caliber rod (25"), to be used on a lever-action carbine, is shorter since this gun must be cleaned from the muzzle. The larger diameter also makes it stouter and keeps it from "jumping around" in the bore.

When I cleaned the 30-30, I worked on it steadily for 1-1/2 hours with that rod, with no problems and little noticeable wear to the nylon surface of the rod. With the tight-fitting patch/jag combo I was using, I would probably have broken or bent a sectional cleaning rod, but the Dewey held up like a champ... that's the beauty of spring steel.

I have also become a firm believer in pointed cleaning jags, rather than the loop-style patch holders I'd always used. The jags allow even contact on all sides of the bore, and do a much better job overall, whether cleaning, oiling, or dry-patching.

I also used a Dewey Bore Saver Rod Guide while cleaning the .222. This adjustable tool, available for a given range of calibers (mine works for .17 through .220 Swift; others are available up to and including .416 caliber), replaces the bolt while cleaning, helping to protect the bore. What I like best about this is that it keeps solvents from dribbling into the action while cleaning. With nylon-coated rods and brass jags, you don't stand to do much damage to the throat of your rifle, but I definitely like the o-ring seal that keeps my action from being flooded.

I think anyone looking for high-quality cleaning rods and accessories would do well to invest in Dewey products. These are fine tools, designed to last. I'm always in favor of anything that makes my hunting & shooting more enjoyable, and these do that, for sure.

Russ Chastain

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