I've got a sendero 7mm STW that copper fouls like crazy. It's very frustrating at the range b/c it likes to have some fouling, but not too much. Anyway, I did not break in this barrel b/c I didn't even know of such technique many yrs ago when I bought the rifle. So what can I do to smooth it up and eliminate the fouling?

Can I clean all the copper out and then try to break it in right? shoot 1 clean, shoot 1 clean, etc.

Should I resort to JB's and lap the barrel with some abrasive?

Tubbs Final Finish worked on a 223 of mine, but I know that will definitely move the throat on a barrel burner like a 7mm stw. I'm not ruling this out though.

I am using "mother's bilet polish" alot these days, or "nanopolish".. both are in your local autozone.

does it foul badly at "low" velocity loads?

jeffe

Sending a grit coated bullet down my bore gives me the willies. Let me say first off, however, that I've never tried it.
Try giving your bore a real good cleaning. Down to the metal. Then give it a good go with JB's. I use a used bore brush with a patch wrapped around it and pressed into the bristles. I then give it a good coating of JB and start stroking. Using a bore guide, of course. I run my ramrod thru the barrel and then attached my brush/JB patch to the rod. I feel that helps reduce JB build up in the leade area. As I stroke, I'll use my finger to collect the excess JB that builds up at the muzzle and smear it back onto the patch. Go for 200 or 300 strokes. (it doesn't have to be done all at one go) When you're done, clean the bore and chamber well and go shooting. After that, use some JB at each cleaning (not 300 strokes) until the copper fouling stops being a problem.

JB, Try the cleaner than clean and one shot and clean method. But, when you think it is super clean, and have JB'd it to orgasm, is it still rough to the feel? If so you will have to use a metal removing abrasive to polish the lands and the grooves, sort of a relapping. I do think you can do it, and I also think that if their has been a lot of copper "protecting the steel, there is hope. Good luck and let us all know your results please.

JB and about 200 strokes through that barrel and you'll know weather it was worth your while or new barrel time.

Looks like I need to order some JB's. Where is the best place to order some? I usually order from Midway, but I don't think they carry any. Also, are there different types/levels of JB's?

I think I'll give it a try before I resort to fire lapping. All things aside, it does shoot well when you shoot it when it's fouled just the right amount, but that accuracy usually goes away after about 20 rnds.

There are two different type of JB.
1- JB Bore Cleaner,excellant bore cleaner and mild polish.
2- JB Bore Bright- this is more of a Polish than a cleaner.
Get both.Clean it with the Bore Cleaner then top off with the Bore Bright.If you decide to go that route.

I don't know if Midway has them or not however they do carry the Montana X-Treme line.I find the Copper Cream and Accuracy Oil to work very well.

Sinclclair International has both.

quote:

Should I resort to JB's and lap the barrel with some abrasive?

Ditto on the JB. I go about 25 strokes w/ a patched w/ JB and then replace w/ a new patch on the jag and go for 25 more. Depending on how severe the fouling is how many total I would do.

As someone mentioned a while back if you wrap a patch around a brass brush it speeds the process but, it darn near ruins the brush.

It will definitely make them shine like a diamond.

Good Luck

Reloader

Who else besides Sinclair carries JB's?

quote:

I've got a sendero 7mm STW that copper fouls like crazy.

Try the Outer's Foul Out method. I used it on my Sendero and it works fine! Control the electrochemical solution every one to two hours when starting, refresh immediatly when it colours from blue to white or brown. After six hours you're done, eventually you can repeat the procedure. Finally finish with Shooter's Choice or alternative. outers-guncare.com

jb177, good advise already, but.... let me add 1st get a super copper eater solvent, i''d sugest barnes CR-10 buy a plastic bore brush apply cr10 as per instructions, do not leave in bore longer than told per lable, you mite have to clean it 2 three times ifin shes really copper fouled follow each cr10 cleaning with a regular cleaning to get all the cr10 washed out, when your patches come out white then scrubb her with jb Bore Cleaner one stroke up and back do this 20 times per patch and gave her 3 treatments like this , she either shoot then or the barrels crap either way you will know, ....STW.... one Ausome fricken round ... regards jjmp..

quote:

Can you break-in a used barrel?

since it's not clear that one can break in a new barrel I'm wondering about this whole thing.

It sort of reminds me of the guy that discovered that a cat always lands on it's feet. So he picked up a cat and dropped it upside down. The cat in mid air righted itself and immediately landed on it's feet. He then took the cat to the top of a step ladder and repeated the experiment and sure enough the cat again landed on it's feet totally unscathed. One more time he experimented and took the cat to the top of the Empire State Building and threw the cat off with a summersaulting twist.

Sure enough the cat landed on it's feet. It didn't do it any good however!

Good analogy VD, but I don't think it can hurt. The theory behing breaking in a barrel is that it will foul less. I've had mixed results, but I'm willing to try anything at this point. If I try everything and it doesn't work, then it's an obviuos rebarrel. I think it will be a good experiment. Going to order some JB's after I get the copper out via Wipe-Out, shooters choice, and Butch's.

Shucks, you guys beat me out of a good laugh! Was gonna scare the guy!!

Long time ago we used some valve lapping compound from the auto parts store. The finer stuff worked great. Bet it still would. Don't need to pump that rod so much either. IF you can't make it shine in 25 strokes. It's time to use a heavier grit. Main thing is don't get carried away with it. Use just enough and quit, keep inspecting it every 25 strokes, or ten if using the courser grit. Sure is easy to use and works!

Last time I was gonna polish one, it was new and a fellow sent me a small bottle of Corbins boe polish/grit. Don't know what it was called, or the cost. Was a donation and not much over two oz bottle. Still have all except what was used that one time. Sure made a fine shine in that bore. Seems like a total of 50 strokes.

Here's the trick to getting build up of anykind out of a bore. Whether it's lead, plastic, or copper fouling, powder build up around the nipple and fittings on m/l's.

Blue Wonder Gun Cleaner, Midway sells it for about $7 or so. Can't beat it guys.

Bronze brush full, ten strokes, ten minute break, ten more strokes then patch it clean with about 3-6.
Soon as it's clean, get that gun oil in there and on every metal surface it's been in contact with. Otherwise it'll flash rust and you'll be blaming the B/W. instead of the clean metal and moisture in the air. Fact is. IF/when you don't oil it soon enough and it does rust, or if you've got an ugly old gun that's badly rusted from sitting in the closet, or barn. This stuff will clean that mess right up too.

Contact: www.novumsolutions.com, or just type this into a search mode. they might even send you a sample. They have several other great products too. Unless they've moved, they're in Houston. A hunter and shooter own's the company, swell guy name of Ken, ask for him.

George

Got the J-B's delivered to the home yesterday and gave the old sendero a thorough cleaning. I used a patch around a bore brush with a modest amount of J-B's on it. Gave it about 50-60 strokes and the bore "feels" smoother now. The real test will be if it still fouls and if it shoots tighter groups longer.

Thanks for all the advice.

jb177,

Sounds good, let us know how she does. If it still fouls do the JB treatment again. If she's a bad fouler sometimes it takes a bunch of passes w/ JB to do any good.

JB will also clean one quickly but, I just use bore foam because JB is quite messy.

Good Luck

Reloader

Do you hunt with this gun, or just shoot it at paper, because if you hunt with it and worry about accuracy after 20 shots maybe you should just take up punching paper.

JB don't be bashful with the JB cleaner the first time around. If the smoother feeling is any indication you should have some progress at the bench. Good luck and keep us posted.