Stevens 200 Barrel. Could this be erosion?

[Davemuzz]

I purchased this .308 Stevens new a few years ago. Initially I was working up a 150 or 165 grain load for it, but during this "process" I loaded up some Hornady 110 grains over IMR-4198. (Max loads). These 110 loads were incredibly accurate from this gun, so I shot a bunch of 'em.....probably 200 rounds or so....maybe 300....all the while working up a heavier bullet load.

So, I would estimate this barrel has about 400 to 500 rounds thru it. Now when I shoot those 110 grain loads, I get no where near the accuracy I use to get. They have gone from cloverleaf to 3" groups at 100 yards.

Thoughts?

Dave

[DonT]

Have you tried a good copper cleaner.  As you pushed these 110's faster and Faster it likely built up copper in the barrel more quickly.

Could it be errosion, it could.  But before I made that decision I would get a good copper cleaner from Shooter Choice (just one option many others out there) and clean it till the patches don't turn blue on your any longer.

You can ususally tell the "good" (read strong) ones as the bottle say COPPER cleaner and the instructions say not to leave in the barrel more than 20 minutes or so.  They also smell heavily of ammonia and you need to shake the bottle occassional while using to keep it in solution.

If you haven't done this then run a brush through the bore a few times to score the copper then run a wet patch (not damp but soaking wet) down the bore and let is sit a few minutes then run another wet one down the bore and set the first one aside about 5 minutes (usually less) to see if it turns blue.  If there is copper in the bore the interaction of the copper and ammonia causes the blue color.  The more blue there is the worse the copper fouling is.  Do this till they no longer turn or turn very little.  Be sure to use the brush from time to time rescore the copper fouling giving the cleaner a fresh surface to work on.  Then a few dry patches, a patch or two of your normal bore cleaner, another dry patch then an oil patch or bore protectant of some sort, one more clean dry patch and you should be good to go.

DonT

[LaOtto222]

I am with Don on this. I could be throat erosion, but I do not think that it would come into play until you get a few thousand (3-4) down the tube, maybe more.

If you have not cleaned the bore real well since you started shooting it, a good cleaning will probably fix yours.

I have not used the strong ammonia cleaners. I use a good powder solvent and then use a foaming cleaner. It is not as fast as the ammonia cleaners, but it works. If I have a real bad problem, I run in the foam and let it stand several hours or over night. When I think I have it clean, I run in some Kroil and let stand for a while to penetrate, then dry patch it. It helps loosen up cooper fouling that may remain, then run in more foam. I do not use the ammonia cleaners because I do it in the house and the smell is overpowering to me. There are more than one way to skin a cat and I am sure there are others that use a completely different method than either of us use.

Once you clean it real well, you may loose some accuracy and have to season the barrel again. Some guns shoot well dirty (well not real fouled up, but some) and some do not.

[billy_56081]

I'm with these guys clean it really good with some good amonia smelling copper solvent then clean it just as good again. I have a feeling that you are really gunked up with copper right in front of the chamber from the long bullet jump. Also from personal experiance with my beloved Savages, they have a very accurate but kinda rough bore that fouls. Cleaning aint fun but it's part of the game.

[Davemuzz]

10-4, I never thought of the copper fouling issue. Copper foam "stuff" is on my next Midway order and I'll foam it up and see what comes out.

Thanks for your input. I'll give you the update when I un-gunk it and spend some time at the range. That is, when whitetail season is over....right after fox and raccoon season is done (nuthin like huntin in complete dark....you know....with a loaded gun) and as soon as I get a fall turkey. 

Man.....I just love the fall when the weather cools down and I can get outside.

Dave

[Nessmuk#1]

Do be careful with the copper solvents.. I, back some years ago, left it in the bore overnight.  Pitted my barrel.  I still use it, but not for long periods in the barrel.

[Davemuzz]

Thanks Corelokt. I just read the instructions on some Sweets that I bought. It says not to leave it in any longer than 30 minutes.

Dave