Copper fouling on a new rifle has me puzzled??

[Mtnhunter1]

I'm puzzled??

New rifle, right out of the box, never fired by me, extreme copper fowling in the middle of the 24" barrel. No copper the first 6" past the throat and no copper the last 6" to the muzzle. The middle of the barrel has extreme copper smeared down both the lands and grooves.

The manufacturer stated that they fire several high pressure loads through the gun, to proof test, before it gets shipped out to the retailer. They also included their suggested barrel break-in process with a recommended copper solvent.

Has anyone run into this before? If so, what do you feel can cause this type of copper fouling? Remember, there is no copper the last 6" of the barrel!

Once I bring a new or new to me rifle home, the first thing that I do is clean the bore. This usually doesn't take over an hour but this one is a real copper mine.

 

[winmag]

I wouldn’t worry about it yet. It should improve and foul less after it’s broken in. Buy some KG12 and it’ll safely remove the copper via soaking instead of having to scrub it out, which risks damaging the bore as you scrub.

 

[WapitiBob]

Most likely a tight spot in the bore.

 

[Mtnhunter1]

Most likely a tight spot in the bore.

That is the only reason that I could think of also.

The manufacturer requested photos to backup what I was describing. They said to not be worried about the issue until the barrel has been broke-in and I see how it will shoot. If I feel that it doesn't meet their accuracy guarantee, I will have to send it back to them for a gunsmith review. I don't have a problem with that!

My question: Has anyone ran into this problem? If so, how did the rifle shoot? If the rifle shot well, how soon did the copper fouling effect the accuracy? Once that rifle copper fouled, how big of issue was it to clean over time?

I have cleaned 100's and 100's of rifles and have never ran into this issue before. That is why I am reaching out to the HT masses.

In reality, the bore is very good for an off the shelf rifle, very minimal tool marks at the throat and muzzle.

I will attach a few photos. The photos represent three days of cleaning with 200+ patches and many rounds of brushing with Hoppe's #9.

PIC001: 6" from the throat of the chamber.

 

[Mtnhunter1]

PIC002: 12" from the throat, after days of cleaning, the copper is still extreme.

 

[Mtnhunter1]

PIC003: 12" from muzzle.

 

[Mtnhunter1]

PIC004: 10" from the muzzle and the copper is starting to dissipate. The last 6" of the barrel is copper free.

 

[Richard22]

I always go through a break-in regime (I know that can be a hot topic) which results in less chance of a copper build up. It's my understanding copper buildup becomes less an issue once a new barrel as seen enough rounds shot through it. With that in mind, you might remove the copper and see if there is an improvement. Keep us updated on how it shoots after you've addressed it in whatever fashion you decide.

As a sidenote, I'll never understand why some shooters scoff at any suggestion to buy and use a bore scope. I cannot think of any other tool that can tell you more about the condition, performance, and history of a firearm.

 

[44hunter45]

Just curious as to how many rounds you fired to create the copper buildup. I always go through a break-in regime (I know that can be a hot topic) which results in frequent cleaning and less chance of a copper build up. If the buildup came after a lot of rounds, that might explain it. It's my understanding copper buildup becomes less an issue once a new barrel as seen enough rounds shot through it. With that in mind, you might remove the copper and see if there is an improvement after subsequent rounds. Keep us updated on how it shoots after you've addressed it in whatever fashion you decide.

As a sidenote, I'll never understand why some shooters scoff at any suggestion to buy and use a bore scope. I cannot think of any other tool that can tell you more about the condition, performance, and history of a firearm.

I'm puzzled??

New rifle, right out of the box, never fired by me, extreme copper fowling in the middle of the 24" barrel. No copper the first 6" past the throat and no copper the last 6" to the muzzle. The middle of the barrel has extreme copper smeared down both the lands and grooves.

The manufacturer stated that they fire several high pressure loads through the gun, to proof test, before it gets shipped out to the retailer. They also included their suggested barrel break-in process with a recommended copper solvent.

Has anyone run into this before? If so, what do you feel can cause this type of copper fouling? Remember, there is no copper the last 6" of the barrel!

Once I bring a new or new to me rifle home, the first thing that I do is clean the bore. This usually doesn't take over an hour but this one is a real copper mine.

See it now?

 

[Richard22]

See it now?

My apologies.

To be honest, I've never scoped a new rifle to know how much copper was left in a barrel after test firing at the factory. Like I mentioned in my earlier post that I later edited, I can only suggest a good cleaning with copper solvent to see how it checks after a couple more rounds have been shot through it.

Keep us updated on what you find. Thanks.

 

[Caseknife]

Think that I would try an ammonia based solvent. Something made specifically for copper build up. Good luck

 

[44hunter45]

My apologies.

To be honest, I've never scoped a new rifle to know how much copper was left in a barrel after test firing at the factory. Like I mentioned in my earlier post that I later edited, I can only suggest a good cleaning with copper solvent to see how it checks after a couple more rounds have been shot through it.

Keep us updated on what you find. Thanks.

**sigh**