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Choose a bore snake for quick barrel cleaning

By the Plain Prepper editors. Updated 2026-10-18.

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Quick answer

A bore snake is a one-pass pull-through barrel cleaner sized to one caliber. Hoppe's original BoreSnake uses a bronze brush and a tail it says has 160 times the cleaning area of a standard patch. The BoreSnake Viper adds a second set of brushes and a cone-shaped bore guide. Real Avid's Bore Boss uses a cable with a bronze brush and braided mop that stores in a Flex-Case handle. Buy the exact caliber your firearm uses, and confirm the firearm is unloaded before cleaning.

What a bore snake does

A bore snake replaces a rod and a stack of patches for quick cleaning. Hoppe's says one pass of its BoreSnake loosens large particles, scrubs the remaining residue with a bronze brush, and then swabs the bore with a tail it says has a cleaning area 160 times larger than a standard patch.

Real Avid describes its Bore Boss as a one-pass cleaner too: a bronze brush scrubs and a braided mop sweeps in one pull. Both are designed to be compact enough to carry to the range.

A bore snake cleans the barrel. For the rest of the firearm, follow the firearm maker's manual; our gun cleaning kit guide compares fuller kits.

Match the caliber exactly

Bore snakes are sized to a caliber or a small group of calibers. Hoppe's stamps the caliber on the brass weight at the end of the pull cord so you can tell them apart. Hoppe's sells rifle sizes from .177 airgun to .460 caliber, pistol sizes from .22 to .45, and shotgun sizes in 12, 20 and .410 gauge.

Real Avid sells the Bore Boss in .17, .223/5.56, .243/.260/6.5 mm, .270/.280/7 mm and .30/.308/7.62 mm rifle sizes and a 12 gauge shotgun size.

Check your firearm's caliber marking or manual, then pick the matching size. Do not use a bore snake made for a different caliber.

Sizes each maker lists

Firearm type	Hoppe's BoreSnake	Real Avid Bore Boss
Rifle	.177 airgun up to .460, including .22-.223, 6 mm/.243, 7 mm/.270, .30-.308 and .338	.17, .223/5.56, .243/.260/6.5 mm, .270/.280/7 mm, .30/.308/7.62 mm
Pistol and revolver	.22, .30/.32, .357/9 mm/.380/.38, .40/.41, .44/.45	Not listed on the page we read
Shotgun	12, 20 and .410 gauge (depending on version)	12 gauge

Sizes vary by version: Hoppe's sells original, Viper and with-Den versions, and not every size comes in every version. Check the exact listing's caliber before you order.

Original BoreSnake or Viper

Hoppe's says the BoreSnake Viper takes the original design and adds a second set of brushes to scrub carbon fouling. The Viper also has a cone-shaped bore guide on the leading end. Both use bronze brushes, a cleaning tail and a caliber-stamped brass weight.

If you want more scrubbing per pass and easier starting into the bore, the Viper adds both. If you want the simplest version, choose the original, and check that your caliber is offered in the version you pick.

Rope or cable

Hoppe's BoreSnakes are flexible ropes with a weighted pull cord. Real Avid's Bore Boss uses a cable that stores in its Flex-Case handle to keep it from tangling, with an integrated grip that clips to the cable for pulling. Real Avid calls it compact and indestructible for the range or a bag.

Add solvent or CLP

Hoppe's says to add Hoppe's No. 9 Cleaner and Oil or BoreSnake CLP to the head and tail of the BoreSnake before running it through the bore. Follow the product label and safety data sheet for any chemical you use. Our gun CLP guide compares cleaner-lubricant-protectant products.

Safety first

Before any cleaning, follow the firearm maker's manual, confirm the firearm is unloaded and keep ammunition away from the cleaning area. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction throughout. Clean in a ventilated area when using solvents. A bore snake is a maintenance tool; it does not replace qualified instruction or secure storage.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

How do I pick the right bore snake size?

Match your firearm's exact caliber. Hoppe's stamps the caliber on each BoreSnake's brass weight.

What is the difference between BoreSnake and BoreSnake Viper?

Hoppe's says the Viper adds a second set of brushes and a cone-shaped bore guide.

Do I need solvent with a bore snake?

Hoppe's says to add Hoppe's No. 9 Cleaner and Oil or BoreSnake CLP to the head and tail.

Does a bore snake replace a full cleaning kit?

It cleans the bore. Follow the firearm maker's manual for the rest of the maintenance.

Sources

• BoreSnake rifle sizes (24011 .22-.223 and others) (hoppes.com), Hoppe's
• BoreSnake Viper rifle (24011V and others) (hoppes.com), Hoppe's
• Bore Boss sizes (AVBB308 and others) (realavid.com), Real Avid

Sources checked 2026-10-18.