How does one go about cleaning a .17 cal barrel? Tried rods and cables. Got a cable 1\2 wat thru. Called my power lifter son to do the 2nd half. I even bought the 177 pellet cleaning fiber plugs. No joy.

I literally just ordered an Otis Ripcord for my new 17. Important to clean from breach to barrel in order to not jack up the muzzle crown. The manufacturer of my particular firearm recommended Otis. Ive used some of their other products in the past without issues.
Rimfires are notoriously dirty to begin with, I dont want to start at barrel end and push things back into the breach area...to each their own.

I got a 17 caliber rod and have no problem pushing it through, I cut down 22 patches to fit....

You might try Wipe-Out foaming bore cleaner. You will still have to swab out with a few patches but no brushes necessary. Maybe a piece of monofilament with a loop knot to hold the patch would pass easier. No oiling is recommended after use as it includes a corrosion inhibitor.

If you google "17 caliber cleaning kit" you will get some hits including other's experience with them on shooting forums.

Like mentioned, Otis. I've also dropped a bore snake from the breech. Snake's tight, but she pulled through.

The Ripcord is Otis' version of a bore snake....but minus the built in brass bristles. Instead it used braided Nomex. Time will tell if it cleans out the fouling well enough without bristles. We'll find out....

I have cleaned may 17 Remington barrels. And always used a one piece rod. After 40 yrs of cleaning with a rod. I now clean with Cream of Wheat. I learned this fireforming brass. I load up 10 rds with 5 grains of Blue Dot powder, then fill with Cream of Wheat and push case neck into a bar of soap. Then fire them thru your rifle. It's amazing how clean it gets.

Give it a try, you will be amazed.

I had one never did clean the barrel.
Just sprayed cleaner down the barrel, jammed a towel
In by bolt to catch the dirty cleaner.

I am using Wipe out. May try mono thing, thanks folks.

Boy, what a waste..! Couldnt you do that with grits and save the good stuff for the breakfast table..?

One thing I learned my my 17-5.56 is to try out different jag and patch combos. No all of them fit and work together the same. Know I basically have to use lyman patches with my lyman jags or it's soo tight.

But other then that all I use is a one piece.17 cal rod a patch jag and abrasive cleaner . Usually Iossonoe or JB and the the usual hopped #9

One piece 17 caliber cleaning rod and the correct size patches. Wipe out is good stuff and good old Hoppe's #9 is still a good bore cleaner. Don't get too concerned about cleaning 17s like is suggested by lots of people who don't have them. Do they foul? Yes. Every gun fouls.But they are not the nightmare that plenty of gun writers who never shot one, claim.

I've been shooting a 17 Remington since the early 90s and when I first had mine I was religious about it. Every 50 rounds like the the "experts" said. I had a Remington 700 BDL at the time and it shot consistent 1/2-3/4 inch groups. I took it on a ground squirrel hunt where there were so many squirrels we shot for 8 hours without moving. Everything from 50 yards to 400+. We had several rifles so would trade off when one got hot. The first day I kept the 17 cleaned every 50 rounds. It was mind numbingly painful to clean that rifle while my buddies where whacking squirrels. The next day I decided to test the cleaning theory. I shot until it got pretty warm then switched to my 222 or my Swift. Over the next two days I had shot 400 rounds with the 17 without cleaning. Horrors! Oh my gosh you can't shoot a 17 that many times without cleaning! What are you thinking?! At the end of the second day and 400 rounds since the last cleaning, I shot a group with it. It shot a 5/8" group. Just like it always did.

I clean my current 17 once a year now. It is a calling rifle and doesn't need cleaning that often. I don't use it for squirrels, mostly because I can't get away to shoot them but I do carry it with me trapping and use it when I make a few calling stands or get a poke at a coyote.

So don't get too wrapped around the axle about cleaning your 17 to death. A good one piece rod is essential, a good quality 17 caliber jag and the correct size patches. Shoot it, enjoy it and shoot it enough to wear out the barrel. Then wear out another barrel. They make new ones every day. They are a lot of fun to shoot.