That's pretty much what I always thought. But I figured why take a chance and went with the program and bought three bore guides. It makes me feel a better even if they don't really protect the barrel like they are said to do.
I do think that they help getting the rod started into the end of the bore of the gun and they help center the rod when it starts going into the chamber and throat of the bore.
I can see where the rod might flex and touch the inside of the barrel. I went with coated rods to try to protect the inside of my barrel.
I've been using a .17 to .270 cal Winchester one piece coated steel rod 26" long with a swivel handle for about 10 years or so now. But this week I started using some new Dewey Coated Rods and bore guides.
I've been shooting a lot more than before. I may have gone shooting three or four times a year until recently. Now I go shooting two or there times a month or more. It varies with the weather and season. Well actually I went shooting a lot more when I was younger. But that was 50 something years ago. Recently I didn't start shooting until around 2003 when I started doing more outdoor hunting. Before that I was into ice hockey and computer games and fishing and boating.
I like to hunt but don't have access to hunting lands like I used to have.
Originally Posted By: skb2706There is no magic in "rod guides". I've made a half dozen of them. Unless the guides actually held the rod the entire length of the bore it's more of a feel good thing. They don't do that regardless of who makes them the rod still will touch the bore
