Author Topic: COPPER FOWLING (Read 901 times)

Doublejake · « **on:** April 04, 2006, 09:32:33 PM »

I have had my remington 700 30-06 for 8+ years, I have never used anything other than a oil patch and a bore brush occasionally. If I use a copper solvent in my bore, will my groups improve? I can put a black hole in a 50yrd target with five shots(touching), and get about 2-3 inch groups at 100yrds, and at 200yrds I can hit a paper plate close to center with about a 7-8 inch span between 3 shots ( high wind), I plan on adjusting my trigger and using a copper solvent, Is it that important to use solvent in a deer rifle? I have shot a small buck at 275 yrds before. I also sight in at 1.5"-2" high on 100yrds. I'm using Winchester supreme Ballistic silver tip 150 grain. Iv'e always figured I was shooting good enough to put one in the kill zone. Should I try to get better groups at 100?

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2006, 03:10:21 AM »

Doublejake: copper fouling is almost as bad a leading when it comes to recuing accuracy and yes you can improve your accuracy by removing the fouling. There are lots of methods to use to get that fouling out. Once you have accomplished that you may wish to consider firelapping your bore (if you reload) to polish the bore to the point where copper fouling will be either minimized or nearly non-existant. I do not doubt that you should be able to reduce your group size by 50%, or even better, with firelapping.

You may also wish to post this question on Veral Smith's forum for his offerings on firelapping your bore. HTH. Mikey.

jro45 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2006, 08:52:47 AM »

How many rounds have you put threw this 30/06 in 8 years? That may have alot to do with your groups.
I have a 30/06 that I never cleaned the copper out of that I had for about 15 years. I shot it quite often and when I cleaned the copper out she lost all of her acturcy I had to put another barrel on her. Hope thats not your problem.

Doublejake · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2006, 08:05:27 PM »

Well, I have better results. I spent 2 days of off and on cleaning my bore, the copper was actually visible when looking in my bore. I used Kroil with a brush and patches, as well as Hoppes Bench rest #9 with brush and patches. I also adjusted my trigger, lbs unknown. My group was 1/2 inch at 100yrds, with waiting 3-4 minutes between shoots. Rapid fire sends the second shoot always 3-4 inches high but with good lines. If I wait 3-4 minutes It's perfect. I prefloated my barrel after adjusting my trigger. Could this be harmonics? I no the barrel is not to hot, from one previous shot :sniper: . Whats everyones take!

Doublejake · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2006, 08:06:54 PM »

15-20 boxes though the gun!!

AKCAT · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2006, 07:29:05 AM »

You know there is alot good arguments out there about copper fouling and when you should clean it.
Don't comp match shooters shoot like 200 rounds in-between shots?
In three weeks I am leaving for the AK Peninsula for a brown bear hunt and I will not leave with a clean barrel.
After a complete clean I will shoot 2 rounds through my Tikka as I have found out that a clean barrel will throw off your first shot.
Been reading lately that the way you break-in your barrel has alot to do with the amount of copper fouling of your barrel in the future.
I'm not a gun smith but I think 200 rounds is a good time to do a good copper cleaning.

Doublejake · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2006, 04:26:17 PM »

Quote

Once you have accomplished that you may wish to consider firelapping your bore (if you reload) to polish the bore to the point where copper fouling will be either minimized or nearly non-existant.

Is Fire lapping the same as glass bedding? [/url]

stuffit · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2006, 05:35:22 PM »

Fire lapping consist of putting bullets whose surfaces are impregnated with a very fine abrasive substance (sort of like valve grinding compound) into loaded rounds and fireing them through the barrel of your rifle. It is, in some circles, controversial and can prematurely wear out the barrel throat. However, in some rifles with less than perfect bores, the "smoothing/evening" process can improve accuracy. There are kits made for it in the various caliber by folks who are supposed to know what they are doing. A search of Midway products would probably turn up something like what I'm referring to. Be sure and research it carefully before you jump into the process. There are about as many cons as pros on the subject.
:wink:
stuffit

Cappy · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2006, 02:46:08 PM »

I have shot as many as 100rds in between cleaning my precision rifle with no noticable loss of accuracy. It is however a high quality barrel that doesn't foul very badly. I usually clean it after every day at the range regardless if I shoot 1-100rds. Point of impact is point of aim with a cold clean barrel. I use Sweets 7.62 approx every 50-100rds through it.

With my hunting rifles. They get cleaned with Hoppes Elite Bore Gel after every day at the range and will get sweets if I notice copper build up. I have some rifles that aren't overly effected by a clean barrel. Have found that so long as the barrel is dry with no excess oil in it it is pretty much bang on.

glshop20 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 08, 2006, 05:04:51 AM »

Everyone has a different way to handle copper. I have found that when I am done at the range I run a couple of well soaked Hoppe's patches down the bore let it soak on the way home. When I get home I run some clean patches through the barrel.(usually see some blue/green if you have copper) Proceed with a normal cleaning. If you think or see more copper wet the barrel with Hoppe's an and let it soak. ( time can be long unlike some ammonia based cleaners. They work fast but if left too long can harm the barrel) One of the guys that shoots NRA highpower matches with me is a High Master and cleans this way. He has over 4000 rounds through his rifle and it shoots great. His last step is to run a Hoppe's patch and let it stay in the bore until just before the next match.

KN · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2006, 12:02:40 PM »

A little copper isn't going to hurt anythng. After the first bullet goes down the barrel you will have some copper residue. It all depends on how much is building up. My dog guns go 200rds between cleaning without any noticable accuracy loss. But I have some guns that won't do that. The smoother the barrel, the less build up you'll get. I am like most of the others, I clean after each range session. If you really want to get the copper out, try Barnes CR-10. The absolute best stuff for cleaning copper I have ever used. KN

cccombo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2006, 04:34:26 PM »

Anyone tryed "10% Janitor's Strength Ammonia" ?

glshop20 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 09, 2006, 04:33:44 AM »

APM RM Tetra gun cleaner(amonia based) might be similar. Really stinks.