Kak In My Sak

[snapper5 0]

This is rather embarrassing but if someone else learns from it, then it'll be worth it.

 

For the last couple of years I have been regularly cleaning my CZ452 17HMR with Sak moderator with a boresnake and have been happy that this was sufficient cleaning. However, after a visit to my local gunshop, Country Pursuits in Cricklade, to buy some more ammo this morning I was advised that I should have been using a rod, copper brush, cleaner and patches to keep it in optimum condition. So equipped with my new purchases I set about cleaning my rifle.

 

First thing I did was take the Sak mod off, unscrewed it to see what was going on inside and was dumbfounded to discover it was completely caked with thick solid black gunk.

 

I must have got about a film canister's worth of this gunk out which couldn't have been doing my accuracy any favours at all. Interestingly the barrel itself, whilst grubby was not as bad as I had envisaged. But now all sparkling and if it wasn't for this poxy weather I would be out seeing how out my zero now is.

 

So lesson learned. Regular cleaning from now on to keep the kak out of my Sak (and barrel!).

[dicehorn 38]

For the last couple of years I have been regularly cleaning my CZ452 17HMR with Sak moderator with a boresnake and have been happy that this was sufficient cleaning.

 

So lesson learned. Regular cleaning from now on to keep the kak out of my Sak (and barrel!).

 

 

Glad to read that some one else is dropping the idea that the boresnake is the answer to cleaning a rifle. They are only good as an emergency to carry with you in case the barrel gets a foreign object in it. Boresnakes also with repeated use can start to erode the rifle crown which = major accuracy loss.

 

I do not have a .17 (Actually would never want one) but my friend does and he cleans his every 15 rounds or so - including the moderator and certainly not with a boresnake.

 

Peter

[Guest JohnGalway]

I'd clean the .17 when you start to feel the accuracy going off

[Deker 3,478]

Rimfire barrels tend to need less cleaning than centrefires, but to maintain accuracy and barrel life it is a job that should not be neglected! A rimfire and barrel could last you for life if you look after it!

 

Rimfire powders tend to be filthy compared to centrefire and the build up of debris/unburnt powder in the moderator can cause a lot of problems if not kept clean!

 

Bore Snakes were only ever introduced as quick clean out in the field (originally for shotguns if I remember correctly) until you get home and do the job properly!

 

[Ratman2 2]

While we are discussing Sak moderators does anyone have problems dismantling theirs, I have a devil of a job getting mine apart, the threads seem to jam up and the only way I can get them undone is to soak the whole thing in hot soapy water.

I always dry everything with a hair dryer and oil the threads before reassembling.

[young1982 1]

I would recommend cleaning your SAK every 100 rounds, it's surprising how much crap collects after so few rounds.

Remember "Cleanliness is next to godliness"

[dickyboy 1]

I put the boresnake through every 20 rounds as it does not affect zero on the gun, .222 and then every 50 or so i put forrest bore throughit and scrub it, but the boresnake every so often so i know the gun is bang on, only 1 pull though, one less thing to worry about when i pull the trigger

[Deker 3,478]

While we are discussing Sak moderators does anyone have problems dismantling theirs, I have a devil of a job getting mine apart, the threads seem to jam up and the only way I can get them undone is to soak the whole thing in hot soapy water.

I always dry everything with a hair dryer and oil the threads before reassembling.

 

 

Ratman2

 

Have a word with Jackson to see if they have any tips! http://www.jacksonrifles.com/sak22lr.htm

 

I have had my Sak for about 18 months, only had it apart the once and not a problem....I tend to scrub it and bash hell out of it; the crud falls out.

 

If Jackson can give you an approved cleaning procedure I'd be interested to hear!

[kiwi27 0]

The accuracy of mine tends to go off after 20 or so rounds so the bore snake is ideal, I pull it through 2 or 3 times and its back to normal I can't fault it at all, the accuracy is back straight away. I don't bother with the .22 though I cleaned it once with bore foam and it grouped like a shotgun for the first 30 rounds and then the groups tightened up gradually and was back to normal after 70 or so . With regard to the sak mod, I take mine apart regularly so the thread doesn't seize and the crap(unburnt powder) won't build up too much, the amount of crap that gathers depends on the length of barrel you have, the longer the barrel the less build up because more of the powder is burnt . The only problem I have with the sak is that with the hot little .17 round going through it all the time it has worn quite badly in the centre and is almost completely shagged ( it looks like it has been sand or shotblasted where the round passes through) So I will be replacing it soon. Anyone else found this with the SAK?

Josh

Edited April 20, 2008 by kiwi27

[young1982 1]

The accuracy of mine tends to go off after 20 or so rounds so the bore snake is ideal, I pull it through 2 or 3 times and its back to normal I can't fault it at all, the accuracy is back straight away. I don't bother with the .22 though I cleaned it once with bore foam and it grouped like a shotgun for the first 30 rounds and then the groups tightened up gradually and was back to normal after 70 or so . With regard to the sak mod, I take mine apart regularly so the thread doesn't seize and the crap(unburnt powder) won't build up too much, the amount of crap that gathers depends on the length of barrel you have, the longer the barrel the less build up because more of the powder is burnt . The only problem I have with the sak is that with the hot little .17 round going through it all the time it has worn quite badly in the centre and is almost completely shagged ( it looks like it has been sand or shotblasted where the round passes through) So I will be replacing it soon. Anyone else found this with the SAK?

Josh

 

Mine is the same mate.

I rang Jackson Rifles to ask them about it but whoever I spoke to didn't have a clue what the hell he was on about. I told him that the anodise coating had been burnt off and the heat had started to melt the centre of the mod, after a long pause to said this is normal.

I'm not convinced this level of damage is normal, what do you think?

Edited April 20, 2008 by young1982

[Deker 3,478]

The accuracy of mine tends to go off after 20 or so rounds so the bore snake is ideal, I pull it through 2 or 3 times and its back to normal I can't fault it at all, the accuracy is back straight away. I don't bother with the .22 though I cleaned it once with bore foam and it grouped like a shotgun for the first 30 rounds and then the groups tightened up gradually and was back to normal after 70 or so . With regard to the sak mod, I take mine apart regularly so the thread doesn't seize and the crap(unburnt powder) won't build up too much, the amount of crap that gathers depends on the length of barrel you have, the longer the barrel the less build up because more of the powder is burnt . The only problem I have with the sak is that with the hot little .17 round going through it all the time it has worn quite badly in the centre and is almost completely shagged ( it looks like it has been sand or shotblasted where the round passes through) So I will be replacing it soon. Anyone else found this with the SAK?

Josh

 

Mine is the same mate.

I rang Jackson Rifles to ask them about it but whoever I spoke to didn't have a clue what the hell he was on about. I told him that the anodise coating had been burnt off and the heat had started to melt the centre of the mod, after a long pause to said this is normal.

I'm not convinced this level of damage is normal, what do you think?

 

 

Check your paperwork for the Sak...I seem to recall it has a lifetime guarantee (or something like that) send them £10 and they will repair or replace it...I wish I could remember but I've lost my paperwork...it's something along those lines!!!

[kiwi27 0]

At £40 a go, I would hope it last a lot longer. Things do wear out but I think maybe the design or material used for the inner section of the sak should be revised, I certainly would rather the mod weigh slightly more and have the guts made out of a more durable metal, or coated with a hardy substance that would resist the blast from the round, if used on a .22 (.17 sak mod is the same as the.22 mod) there is no discernable wear which would suggest that the rating and construction of each moderator needs looking at.

Just my opinion anyway, not slagging the sak off in any way, if i thought they were crap I wouldn't have them perched on the end of my rimmys

Josh

[jamie g 17]

after cleaning the sak put a light bit of grease in the tube before sliping it back over. this should stop it from sticking next time.

[Jack Jones 0]

I have a small 'O' ring over the threads of my Anshutz's muzzle so that the SAK mod sits nicely upon the barrel.

It also makes removing it easy for when its cleaned.

 

JJ.

[snapper5 0]

Popped into the gun shop again today. (I know, can't stay away... ). Told the owner about my experience and he said he had two customers bring in 17hmr rifles recently with barrels with a strange lump in. Looks a bit like a snake which has just eaten a pig!

 

Apparently this was caused by a dirty barrel and moderator which prevented the first bullet leaving the barrel with both owners commenting that it didn't make much noise when they pulled their respective triggers. Both followed up with a second round thinking they had a dud which left the very attractive lump in their barrels.

 

I guess when they get their rifles back, they too will be cleaning them a little more regularly.

 

Incidentally, I've heard of duds with 22r/f has anyone ever had a dud round with 17hmr ammo?