Thread: Copper Fouling

Originally Posted by chris-b

I have a new .308 xbolt that I've put about 140 rounds through at the range and Ive finally found factory ammo that I can get .7moa groups.
I've cleaned everytime afterwards using the GunSlik kit cleaning stuff, but have noticed a bit of copper on the lands when looking down the barrel.

Should I be worried about worried about trying to get all the copper out, and is it normal to have some as long as I've cleaned the carbon out .... how anal do I need to be if its shooting well, should I just go with it?

After 140 rounds the main cause of coppering in a new (quality) barrel should be gone/burnt off - ie the radial burrs from chambering. These bits abraid the projectiles and the Cu goes into plasma form to then be deposited neared the muzzle. Once this cause has gone it is then down to how good the barrel surface is, powder type, projectile type. Of course badness starts again when severe throat ersion tears away at the jackets ha ha.
I never like to leave any copper (visible) in the barrel. I also have a bore scope and have examined barrels of people who have assured me they have cleaned to the point of perfection - oh yeah. I clean after each outing generally using bore foam or Boretech Cu+. I understand how each of my rifles perform re fouling (and they are different) and how many shots usually I can fire before drop off in performance. I also understand my rifles cold shot performance which is probably the issue why owners don't wish to clean.
Copper fowling if left can be nasty and the barrel fowling may be in several layers of Cu Carbon and so on. I would rather keep on top of it and look after my investment.
But that is just me.