Cleaning pellets, ..

[North Pack]

I've used them on low a velocity pump and a couple of pistols, - but what about springers? Ok, - or possible/likely spring damage?

[hvactech]

I've read everything from not to use them in springers to use 2 or 3 together in a springer to provide needed resistance. I'm lost on this as well.

[longislandhunter]

Sometimes after cleaning a rifle barrel I'll put 2 of em into the breach and fire em off.  When I do this the rifle seems to sound and feel exactly the same as when I shoot a pellet.  I know that's not very scientific but it's the only way I can describe it.  I don't use them every time I clean a barrel, far from it, but every once in a while I will use them.  I haven't noticed any problems with my rifles as a result.  

I"m sure someone with a lot more knowledge than me will chime in and give a definitive scientific answer,,,, then we'll all know.......

Jeff

[ronbeaux]

I've always heard not to. What I used to do was take a lenght of 50# fishing line and tie a loop(slip knot) in the end of it. Then push the line through the barrel, thread a patch through the loop with some Beeman bore cleaner and then pull it through. No chance of damaging your barrel that way.

I've also heard to bunch up the cleaning pellets and shoot them but I like to look at the patch when it comes out and not hunt around for the cleaning pellets.

[ac12basis]

Because there is so much variability as to how much resistance a felt pellet really has, I would say put a felt pellet or two in front of a REAL pellet.  That way the lead pellet will provide the proper seal against the barrel, to prevent piston slam.

[douglas george]

If pellets get dirty...clean them!  Somebody will tell you how!  I don't know...I just shoot them...Really  I don't like "cleaning pellets", I use a one piece cleaning rod with a jag and a patch with Hoppies (careful with this...don't spoil the seals) or "Break Free".
D. G.

[USNCop]

Personally, I steer clear of them.  It's too easy to use trimmer line, AoA Crown Saver, or Boar Master from AoA.
I use the Crown Saver and it works great!

I've gathered that the cleaning pellets are a no-no and as mentioned, don't provide resistance unless several are used at once.

[Graham]

As previously mentioned, a real pellet should be used behind the cleaning felt. This is then quite harmless.

[Jaymo]

As long as you use enough of the felt pellets to give similar resistance to a single lead pellet, you'll be alright. I use them without any problems. You can push them through the bore with a cleaning rod.

[North Pack]

Found this in with a package of VFG/Beeman Quick Clean Pellets:
.
For spring piston guns: .... For air pistols use two cleaning pellets. For air rifles, use three cleaning pellets. (Using one may not provide enough resistance etc., etc.) .... Insert the pellets into the bore just like a lead pellet. May be fired dry or with a polarizing oil. Soak two or three quick-cleaning pellets in a good polarizing oil (MP5 Oil) and fire through the bore followed by groups of dry quick-clean pellets until they come out clean. A microscopic film of polarizing oil will be left on the bore. ... For match airguns, a few "fouling" shots with regular pellets may have to be fired before the airgun returns to "zero".  ... (I fired two sets of two dry cleaning pellets in with a "lead pusher" pellet today in a Whisper, - that bore certainly looks clean)

[BumbleShot]

are for non-lethal shooting!  I've used .20 pellets in a Sheriden HB piston numerous times to scare off this or that.