Hoppe's Gun Cleaning Patches

Cleaning patches are the highest-consumption item in gun maintenance, and the quality of the patch material directly affects how efficiently you clean. Hoppe's cotton patches use a thick-weave 100% cotton construction that absorbs solvent well and scrubs effectively when pushed through a bore on a jag or slotted tip. The .22-.270 caliber size covers the most common rifle calibers including .223 Remington/5.56 NATO, .22 LR, and everything in between.

The thick weave matters more than most shooters realize. Thin, loosely woven patches shed cotton fibers in the bore that can absorb solvent and redeposit fouling rather than removing it. They also compress too much when pushed through, reducing surface contact with the bore walls. Hoppe's patches maintain their structure under compression, providing consistent contact pressure across the bore surface. On a jag, the patch wraps tightly around the tip and contacts the full circumference of the bore. On a slotted tip, the extra thickness keeps the patch from bunching and sliding through without effective contact.

Budget accordingly: a typical cleaning session uses 10-20 patches. You run 2-3 wet patches with solvent, brush the bore, run 2-3 more wet patches to remove loosened fouling, then dry patches until they come out clean, which usually takes 4-8 patches depending on fouling severity. The 500-count bulk pack is the practical purchase. Buying smaller counts at a higher per-patch price makes no sense for a consumable you will use this steadily. Keep a bag at the cleaning bench and a smaller bag in the range kit.