Thread: What Copper Bullet Fouling, looks like

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

Yes it was a major PITA cost me heaps to bring it in.......Bloody cool rifle though much nicer than a TRG, IMHO.....owes me about the same now

It isn't the barrel that causes most of the fouling but the chamber cutting & doesn't take many rounds to clear it.... normally

What do you mean by that Greg?

Originally Posted by R93

What do you mean by that Greg?

I have been told that with a "good" barrel, lapped, Ultra match etc, the chamber edge is where the majority of the copper fouling comes from.

The little burr left by cutting plasmaises the copper as the bullet goes past spreading it down the barrel.

There is another theory that a really really smooth barrel is possibly not desirable either.

It is like "running in" a barrel, some people swear by it, some swear at it

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

I have been told that with a "good" barrel, lapped, Ultra match etc, the chamber edge is where the majority of the copper fouling comes from.

The little burr left by cutting plasmaises the copper as the bullet goes past spreading it down the barrel.

There is another theory that a really really smooth barrel is possibly not desirable either.

It is like "running in" a barrel, some people swear by it, some swear at it

Not sure I get that reason Greg. Where is the burr? You would think it would have to be in the throat area to have any influence. If it is the cause in some cases, I have seen some pretty even coppering right to the muzzle after one shot.

Originally Posted by R93

Not sure I get that reason Greg. Where is the burr? You would think it would have to be in the throat area to have any influence. If it is the cause in some cases, I have seen some pretty even coppering right to the muzzle after one shot.

Where the reamer cuts the throat or lead etc apparently.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

Where the reamer cuts the throat or lead etc apparently.

You would think lapping would get rid of it eh? Cheers Greg. Must have a look at a few barrels with a scope to see if its obvious.

Originally Posted by R93

You would think lapping would get rid of it eh? Cheers Greg. Must have a look at a few barrels with a scope to see if its obvious.

The chamber is generally cut after it is lapped, ie fitting & chambering an after market barrel ?

True, but a good plumber should always give it another tickle up after any machining. Not aggresively but I always did it to remove/smooth out any chatter or small burrs.
I still do it on any new rebarrels done for me if they look like they need it.