Copper Fouling in a Hunting Rifle
Cleaning a couple of my rifles today I noted slight copper fouling on the rifling. I've read some of the old topics on the solvents, etc. used to remove it. My question, however, is this:
Is the amount of copper build-up on a hunting rifle that will probably see no more than 1000 rounds in its life-span (or at least in mine [:D]) likely to cause me any real problems? In all honesty, I HATE cleaning guns, so if it's not likely to cause any big issues, I'll probably just leave it be.
Thanks!!
Is the amount of copper build-up on a hunting rifle that will probably see no more than 1000 rounds in its life-span (or at least in mine [:D]) likely to cause me any real problems? In all honesty, I HATE cleaning guns, so if it's not likely to cause any big issues, I'll probably just leave it be.
Thanks!!
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I would not clean it after sighting it in, but would clean at the end of the season. 1000 rounds isn't much so far as guns go, but could quite lead to accuracy drop off in that time. 0 -
Assuming you don't have any anodized aluminum on your rifle, get some foaming bore cleaner.
Let it do its' magic.
Sight it in.
Clean it again at the range.
Send one "fouling shot". And put it up.0 -
Generally speaking, a little copper doesn't hurt a thing. Most barrels will show copper fouling. Some more than others.
Check for POI with a cold clean barrel and with a cold fouled barrel. One shot, two at most. There's nothing that can build your confidence more than knowing where that once in a lifetime shot may go. When I was really into hunting I would take a few empty primed cases in my pocket and shoot one when it was safe and convenient. I knew exactly where my rifle would shoot because I tested it at the range under the same conditions.
Those primed cases also come in handy if you're hunting in rain or snow - or trip over your big feet and get mud or twigs in the muzzle (not that I've ever done that).0 -
Copper could encourage galvanic corrosion unless you have a stainless barrel. I would keep the bore lightly oiled at a minimum. 0 -
I've had lots of rifles like yours come in with accuracy problems. I look up the bore, and see the lands have copper deposits. So out comes the ammonia based solvents, and a few hours later, the copper is gone. Unfortunately, a lot of times there is pitting under the copper.
Get that copper out of the bore. Every bullet that rides over that copper leaves a little more behind. Corrosion is happening under that copper layer. Accuracy is suffering, although you may not notice that on a hunting rifle. If the bore is clean, the rust preventatives can then protect the steel.0 -
most hunting rifles wouldn't know the difference, copper does't keep building up, copper doen't cause galvonic corrosion[}:)]....................now for the hornet spray......the above can all be true.........or not; each depends on the barrel, storage conditions, yada, yada. If you are worried about that last 1/4" of accuracy, sure clean after every 'x' number of rounds. if you can live with a '2"' rifle for the deer woods, oil the bore after each hunting season and call it good. 0
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