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How serious is scratched bore?

Workingzombie
I had a squib while firing my S&W 1905 last week. It was one of my reloads. The jacketed bullet stopped just short of the muzzle. It can out easy, but I was shocked to find it left a scratched ring inside the bore just 1/2 short of the muzzle. Left some tiny pits in the lands too. I can't believe that a low-pressure squib round could damage a barrel. I checked the barrel, and it's not bulged.

I really bummed about this. I plan to take it out and shoot it, to test its accuracy, but should I pretty much expect the pistol's accuracy to be ruined? I don't see having the 6" barrel cut down as an option, as it would cost more than I paid for the pistol.
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • RCrosby
    I'm not sure how a squib load could cause the damage you're describing, but I've seen some pretty rough bores that shot quite well. Required extra time and care in cleaning, but shot well.
    Try it, and if accuracy is up to par, I wouldn't worry about it.
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  • Hawk Carse
    Agreed.
    Unless you knocked the stuck bullet out with a rough steel rod and scraped up the barrel, the mars and pits were probably already there. Having to knock out the bullet just made you take a close look and notice them for the first time.

    There is no need to deal with stuck bullets. Be sure that each and every cartridge contains one and only one powder charge and they will all shoot.
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  • beantownshootah
    Lead or jacketed lead bullets by themselves shouldn't damage steel bores.

    Maybe previous damage to the bore contributed to the squib (rather than the other way around) and you only noticed it when examining after the squib happened.

    Anyway, a scratched bore is actually not as bad as you might think. So long as the crown is good, and the rifling it OK, you probably won't notice any difference in accuracy.

    It may take a bit more work to clean up as the scratches may retain dirt.
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  • GuvamintCheese
    Pitting is not caused by anything you described.
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  • nmyers
    I'd try cleaning the bore with J-B Bore Paste. It's a mild abrasive that will round off the sharp edges of the scratch & pits, plus remove any residue that your normal cleaning may have missed.

    Neal
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  • glabray
    Scratched or pitted bores often are more accurate with jacketed bullets than lead.
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  • john w
    quote:Originally posted by nmyers
    I'd try cleaning the bore with J-B Bore Paste. It's a mild abrasive that will round off the sharp edges of the scratch & pits, plus remove any residue that your normal cleaning may have missed.

    Neal


    X2 then shoot the crap out of it!
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  • Workingzombie
    Many thanks. I'm am relieved to hear this isn't as big as deal as I imagined
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