Copper fouling on a new rifle has me puzzled??

[antelopedundee]

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.

What is KG12? Also what expectation is there that "break in" will fix that? I would say slim to none. If the thing "shoots" acceptably, maybe suck it up and use it unless it bothers one so much that they can't stand it. I'm guessing that the OP is psychologically defeated already. IRC copper makes a pretty good lubricant for the bore. Didn't barrel makers put a thin film of copper in the bore to make the rifling button pass through easier? Do any still do it?

If it fouls like that and you shoot and clean after each shot for the first 5 shots you could miss out on a couple hunting seasons. I'd posit that for that barrel any more breakin is a waste of time and components. It is what it is. If it shoots decent the critter won't care if it fouls or not.

 

[TheJason]

I’d just shoot it and see what it does.

 

[kodiakisland]

How does it shoot? I'd not sweat the little things if it shoots fine.

 

[std7mag]

How does it shoot? I'd not sweat the little things if it shoots fine.

Yeah, I wholy agree!

I've seen guys freaking out over some copper in the barrel.
Then I looked at their target.
"DUDE!! You just shot a 1/2" group at 300 yards! Eff the copper!!"

 

[Mtnhunter1]

What is KG12? Also what expectation is there that "break in" will fix that? I would say slim to none. If the thing "shoots" acceptably, maybe suck it up and use it unless it bothers one so much that they can't stand it. I'm guessing that the OP is psychologically defeated already. IRC copper makes a pretty good lubricant for the bore. Didn't barrel makers put a thin film of copper in the bore to make the rifling button pass through easier? Do any still do it?

If it fouls like that and you shoot and clean after each shot for the first 5 shots you could miss out on a couple hunting seasons. I'd posit that for that barrel any more breakin is a waste of time and components. It is what it is. If it shoots decent the critter won't care if it fouls or not.

Not defeated just yet....I'm not a quitter!

I've been working on it all day, on and off, using Barnes Copper solvent. So far, I've used 350+ patches and 4 bronze brushes. Hoping to borescope it in the next hour or so!

I always clean to spotless before I every touch off the first round on any rifle. I find that it gives me a baseline for which I judge a rifle during testing. I've just never seen this kind of fouling in the middle section of the barrel, new or used. Evidently, not many folks have!

Lucky that I don't have a shortage of rifles to use through the next few hunting seasons. If the fouling continues and it won't shoot, it will get hand delivered to manufacturer.

 

[TheJason]

I've been working on it all day, on and off, using Barnes Copper solvent. So far, I've used 350+ patches and 4 bronze brushes. Hoping to borescope it in the next hour or so!

Good Lord.

I’m not in any way trying to be offensive or insulting, but why not just go shoot it? Also, the Barnes will eat your brass brush. Use nylon.

 

[antelopedundee]

Unless you're a benchrester breaking in barrels isn't necessary. Especially if it's on a factory hunting rifle.