5 Best Shotgun Cleaning Kits Reviewed

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Real Avid Gun Boss Shotgun – Compact Shotgun Cleaning Kit

This compact cleaning kit is perfect for any shotgun owner.

Best Budget Shotgun Cleaning Kit

SPIKA Compact Shotgun Cleaning Kit 

This portable cleaning kit is great if you have a limited budget.

Fastest Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Sage & Braker Gun Cleaning Kit

This reliable shotgun cleaning kit lets you clean your shotgun quickly.

Best 12 Gauge Cleaning Kit

Hoppe’s No. 9 Cleaning Kit with Aluminum Rod

This cleaning kit is specifically made for the most common shotgun gauge.

If you think cleaning your shotgun has become tedious, what you need is an excellent cleaning companion. Interested? Read on for a list of the best shotgun cleaning kits this year.

Shotgun Cleaning Kit Comparison

Model

Real Avid Shotgun Cleaning Kit

SPIKA Compact Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Gun Cleaning Kit by Sage & Braker

Hoppe's No. 9 Cleaning Kit with Aluminum Rod

DAC Winchester Super Deluxe Soft Sided Gun Care Case

Our Score

9.6

9.5

9.3

9.3

9.3

MSRP

$19.99

-

-

$17.16

$83.78

Size

7 x 2 x 14 inches

11 x 4.7 x 1.8 inches

Not indicated

5.3 x 1.7 x 15.8 inches

15 x 13 x 3 inches

Weight

11.29 Ounces

16.9 Ounces

4 Ounces

10.08 Ounces

3.69 Pounds

Inclusions

T-Handle, 6-Section Cleaning Rod, 12Ga and 20Ga Phosphor Bronze Bore Brush, 12Ga and 20Ga Bore Mops, Polymer, Slotted Bore Patch Tip, Large Cleaning Patches

1 aluminum handle, 1 bronze brush, 1 cotton mop, 1 spring brush, 1 utility brush, 1 patch holder, 1 muzzle guard, 1 box of patches, 1 adapter, 4 stainless steel rods

1 bronze brush, 1 bore snake, 1 brass weight

4 oz. bottle cleaning solvent and one 2-1/4 oz. lubricating oil, Brush

4 brass accessory adapters - 1 double ended metal cleaning pick - 2 double ended utility/breech brushes (one phosphor/nylon) - 3 utility parts brushes (phosphor, nylon, and stainless) - 2 choke/breech brushes (1/4" and 3/4" diameter) - 1 polishing cloth - 3 sets of 50 cleaning patches (1" x 1", 1.5" x 1.5", 3" x 3"). 6 solid brass rods: - .17-.28 caliber - .30-.54 caliber. 14 phosphor bronze brushes and mops: - .17, .22, .204, .243, .270, .30, .357 (.38 and 9mm) .40, .45, .50, .54 calibers - 12, 20, 410 gauge. 4 slit tips: - .22, .30 calibers - 12, 410 gauge. 13 solid brass spear pointed jags: - .17-.50 calibers

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Model

Real Avid Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Our Score

9.6

MSRP

$19.99

Size

7 x 2 x 14 inches

Weight

11.29 Ounces

Inclusions

T-Handle, 6-Section Cleaning Rod, 12Ga and 20Ga Phosphor Bronze Bore Brush, 12Ga and 20Ga Bore Mops, Polymer, Slotted Bore Patch Tip, Large Cleaning Patches

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Model

SPIKA Compact Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Our Score

9.5

MSRP

-

Size

11 x 4.7 x 1.8 inches

Weight

16.9 Ounces

Inclusions

1 aluminum handle, 1 bronze brush, 1 cotton mop, 1 spring brush, 1 utility brush, 1 patch holder, 1 muzzle guard, 1 box of patches, 1 adapter, 4 stainless steel rods

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Model

Gun Cleaning Kit by Sage & Braker

Our Score

9.3

MSRP

-

Size

Not indicated

Weight

4 Ounces

Inclusions

1 bronze brush, 1 bore snake, 1 brass weight

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Model

Hoppe's No. 9 Cleaning Kit with Aluminum Rod

Our Score

9.3

MSRP

$17.16

Size

5.3 x 1.7 x 15.8 inches

Weight

10.08 Ounces

Inclusions

4 oz. bottle cleaning solvent and one 2-1/4 oz. lubricating oil, Brush

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Model

DAC Winchester Super Deluxe Soft Sided Gun Care Case

Our Score

9.3

MSRP

$83.78

Size

15 x 13 x 3 inches

Weight

3.69 Pounds

Inclusions

4 brass accessory adapters - 1 double ended metal cleaning pick - 2 double ended utility/breech brushes (one phosphor/nylon) - 3 utility parts brushes (phosphor, nylon, and stainless) - 2 choke/breech brushes (1/4" and 3/4" diameter) - 1 polishing cloth - 3 sets of 50 cleaning patches (1" x 1", 1.5" x 1.5", 3" x 3"). 6 solid brass rods: - .17-.28 caliber - .30-.54 caliber. 14 phosphor bronze brushes and mops: - .17, .22, .204, .243, .270, .30, .357 (.38 and 9mm) .40, .45, .50, .54 calibers - 12, 20, 410 gauge. 4 slit tips: - .22, .30 calibers - 12, 410 gauge. 13 solid brass spear pointed jags: - .17-.50 calibers

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Our Must-Have Features

We’ve listed the 3 basic tools that the right shotgun cleaning kit should have, so look out for these.

Bore Brushes

One thing to consider when shopping for a shotgun cleaning kit is the size of the bore brush. Remember that bore brushes for pistols and rifles are too small to clean your shotgun efficiently. You’d mostly be using 12ga and 20ga bore brushes, so if your kit has these sizes, then you’re good to go. 

Bore Mops

Bore mops are great for when you want to apply a light coat of oil to protect your barrel after cleaning. It’s a nice-to-have tool in a shotgun cleaning kit.

Cleaning Rod/Bore Snake

This depends on your preference, as some kits contain cleaning rods while others have bore snakes. We included both options in our top picks so be sure to check them out.

If you want to learn more about gun cleaning supplies, click here.

Best Overall: Real Avid Gun Boss Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Real Avid Shotgun Cleaning Kit I 12 Gauge and 20...

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The Real Avid Gun Boss Shotgun Cleaning Kit may be pocket-sized, but it sure is big on cleaning your shotgun.

This versatile kit contains all the cleaning accessories needed to keep your 12ga and 20ga shotguns in top shape. It has a 6-Section Cleaning Rod, Large Cleaning Patches, Bronze Bore Brushes, Bore Mops, and a Polymer, Slotted Bore Patch Tip

It’s also equipped with mesh storage where you can keep additional cleaning supplies.

Pros

• Compact and Portable
• Complete Accessories

Cons

• Cleaning patches are a little thin

What Customers Say

“Nice and small cleaning kit that will let you do all you need for maintenance when on the road.”

“This kit is as useful as it is compact. I have used it many times and it works great to clean my 12 gauges.”

Best Budget Shotgun Cleaning Kit: SPIKA Compact Shotgun Cleaning Kit

SPIKA Compact Shotgun Cleaning Kit 12...

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The SPIKA Compact Cleaning Kit for 12 gauge shotguns consists of several tools that can be reused for rifles too! That’s why we tagged this kit as the most budget-friendly in our list.

The cleaning kit contains 1 spring brush, 1 utility brush, 1 patch holder, 1 muzzle guard, 1 box of patches, 1 adapter,1 aluminum handle, 1 bronze brush, 1 cotton mop, and 4 stainless steel rods.

This Australian-made kit is proven to be durable and reliable. The value for the price is really solid.

However, a few customers complained that the “spinner handle for the bore brush is unnecessarily thick and heavy.”

Pros

• Affordable
• Variety of tools
• Portable and compact

Cons

• Bore brush handle is heavy
• Oil is not included in the kit
• No instructions manual included

What Customers Say

“I purchased this cleaning kit for 2 reasons. 1. We bought a Ruger SR22 and wanted a Gun Cleaning Kit for this gun and 2. I wanted a Gun Cleaning Kit that would be able to also clean our other guns. This kit does this and we are very happy with this kit. We would recommend this to all our friends & family members. Product is well made and well worth the money.”

“Nice product. Came nicely packaged as you see here – and if you read the product info you will notice that the oil bottle is in fact empty!! No matter. It’s the hardware you are after.”

Fastest Shotgun Cleaning Kit: Gun Cleaning Kits by Sage & Braker

Gun Cleaning Kits by Sage & Braker. Detachable...

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If you don’t have much time to spare, the Sage & Braker Cleaning Kit will let you clean your gun quickly and easily.

This gun cleaning kit contains a high-quality bore snake and a sturdy bronze brush. This incredible pair provides deep cleaning in just 15 seconds!

For safe cleaning, the bronze brush can be detached from the rope portion. The brass weight is also tagged with gauge or caliber values for easier identification. 

However, some customers noted how difficult it was to insert the bore snake through the barrel because the brass weight at the beginning was a little light.

Pros

Cons

• Quick cleaning
• Durable cleaning tools
• Brass weight at the beginning of the bore snake is a little light

What Customers Say

“All in one product, best on the market.”

“5 Star product. As soon as you pull it through, you can feel the difference. I have not taken the brush off to clean it yet (have only used it twice), but can already tell that will make cleaning the cloth part much, much easier.”

Best 12 Gauge Cleaning Kit: Hoppe’s No. 9 Cleaning Kit with Aluminum Rod

Hoppe's No. 9 Cleaning Kit with Aluminum Rod,...

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If you’re looking for the best cleaning kit intended for your 12 gauge, then we recommend Hoppe’s No. 9 Cleaning Kit.

This kit guarantees superior gun cleaning. It includes one 4 oz. bottle cleaning solvent and one 2-1/4 oz. lubricating oil, as well as a 12 gauge brush.

Most users highly recommend Hoppe’s because it’s been a trusted brand for generations. Some also mentioned that it’s a great starter kit. 

We also love how the oil that comes with the kit does not leave any residue, nor dry out after use. One downside of this kit is that it takes time to assemble.

Pros

Cons

• Intended for 12 gauge shotgun
• Oil doesn’t leave residues
• High-quality cleaning accessories

• Difficult to assemble
• Bore cleaner has a strong smell

What Customers Say

“Simple to use intro product for new shotgun owners, and you can use the oil and degreaser in another gun of you like.”

“ This oil does not dry out and clump, nor leave a sticky residue. I also like the way the bore cleaner really does an outstanding job of removing hard residue from rifling (it smells terrible though, and I would highly advise only using this outside your house..”

DAC Winchester Super Deluxe Soft Sided Gun Care Case

DAC Winchester Super Deluxe Soft Sided Gun Care...

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Last but not least is the DAC Winchester Gun Care Case. We love this kit because it has every tool you need in gun cleaning.

We recommend this cleaning kit if you have more than one type of firearm. It has 68 pieces of tools and accessories intended for different calibers. 

Its case is made from soft EVA material and has removable pouches for extra cleaning supplies. 

We love how organized this case is. It has intended pockets for each tool so everything stays in place during transport. The caliber is also indicated on each tool, so that’s a great bonus.

As for the cleaning tools, most customers mentioned that they’re of higher quality compared to other brands. One minor drawback is that the cleaning patches are a little too big for the bore.

Pros

Cons

• Very organized case
• Universal kit
• Machined aluminum handle

• Cleaning patch is too big for recommended bore
• Solvent and oil are not included

What Customers Say

“If your looking for a killer bargain and a great Xmas present, you will not go wrong buying this kit. I was very pleased and continue to be with this item.”

“This is exactly what people make it out to be – the Taj Mahal of gun cleaning kits. There’s more than enough parts in hear for 90% of people’s gun cleaning needs and each part comes with some kind of individual packaging. The case is nice and thin, yet sturdy enough it will last a while. Everything is marked for caliber which is a nice step up from some of the cheaper kits out there.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a shotgun cleaning kit?

Shotgun cleaning kits range from $25 to $63, depending on the brand and kit contents.

Do you need to clean a shotgun after every use?

Yes, you need to clean your shotgun after every use; because regularly cleaned guns are safe from contaminants that cause rust and corrosion.

What kind of oil do you use to clean a shotgun?

When cleaning your shotgun, don’t use just any type of oil. Check the label to ensure that the product is intended for your shotgun. Using the wrong oil can cause malfunctions or breakages. 

Check out our article on the best gun cleaning solvents for a list of high-quality oils you can choose from.

Final Thoughts

Using the right shotgun cleaning kit is important in gun maintenance. It gives you peace of mind knowing that you have an exceptional kit to rely on. So now that you’ve chosen yours, be sure to pair it with the best gun cleaning mat for a mess-free gun cleaning!

Last update on 2024-03-27 / Images from Amazon Product API