Dirty vs clean barrel
- Thread starter powdergun
- Start date
Unless it's a super-duper match grade barrel, most rifle barrel interior have some defects, which maybe so minor that even with close inspection, the tiny defects are undetectable. Nevertheless these defects still have a significant effect on the accuracy. However, once the barrel's had a few rounds down it, depending on how big the defects are. The copper that get stripped off of the bullets fills up these defects and make the barrel smoother and therefore producing better accuracy, but when the barrel becomes so fouled that the fouling starts to become defects in the interior of the barrel, it's time to start cleaning.
Cold forged barrels have less of a problem than cast barrels.
Cold forged barrels have less of a problem than cast barrels.
Last edited:
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Dirty barrels for me too. I have yet to meet a factory or non BR quality barrel that didn't shoot better when dirty. I do dry brush every now and again and that seems to keep things going.
I use a lot of moly bullets but will not on a hunting rifle just in case I do need to clean.
I find that molied barrels are very stable and keep their accuracy going for a goofy amount of time. However, if I need to clean or if any oil gets in it, it will take a bunch of shots to reestablish that moly layer. Not so good in the field blasting away to get your rifle shooting again.
So for hunting, where a rifle bore may need cleaning, drying, I use uncoated bullets. However, these barrels are always tested at the range and left fouled. If they need to get cleaned/dried, I know that they will settle down within a few shots, some don't need any shots at all.
I do test as much as possible what happens after I disturb the bore.
I put electrical tape over the muzzle to help keep moisture and dirt out. With the bolt closed and cartridge chambered, very little can get into the bore even if dropped in water. Don't ask, I will not tell...
Jerry
I use a lot of moly bullets but will not on a hunting rifle just in case I do need to clean.
I find that molied barrels are very stable and keep their accuracy going for a goofy amount of time. However, if I need to clean or if any oil gets in it, it will take a bunch of shots to reestablish that moly layer. Not so good in the field blasting away to get your rifle shooting again.
So for hunting, where a rifle bore may need cleaning, drying, I use uncoated bullets. However, these barrels are always tested at the range and left fouled. If they need to get cleaned/dried, I know that they will settle down within a few shots, some don't need any shots at all.
I do test as much as possible what happens after I disturb the bore.
I put electrical tape over the muzzle to help keep moisture and dirt out. With the bolt closed and cartridge chambered, very little can get into the bore even if dropped in water. Don't ask, I will not tell...
Jerry
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
barrels
All I do is run a dry patch down the barrel after a trip to the range or blasting a few varmints.
I believe that a fouling shot does help with accuracy whether that merely helps with confidence or it's fact I'm not sure.
I do not use a metal bore brush because even after a short time I believe that it cause more problems in the barrel than it solves.
All I do is run a dry patch down the barrel after a trip to the range or blasting a few varmints.
I believe that a fouling shot does help with accuracy whether that merely helps with confidence or it's fact I'm not sure. I do not use a metal bore brush because even after a short time I believe that it cause more problems in the barrel than it solves.
