LineStretcher
New member
Some people mistake a shot out barrel for one that has never been cleaned properly and has several layers of copper over carbon. I have a 1960 Weatherby 257 Mag that is on the bench right now and on its second day of cleaning and it's still puking carbon and copper. If you look at the bore with a bore light it looks clean as a whistle but it's not. The previous owner thought the barrel was shot out, it's not, it's just full of layers of copper and carbon.
Update: Just got the last of the crud out of a nearly 60 year old rifle. The lands and grooves are in excellent condition now. This was a barrel that was thought to be shot out but was actually never properly cleaned. The layers of carbon and copper continued to build up over the years and I would have to think that the bullet was skidding down the barrel rather than being spun.
On a shot out barrel that has otherwise been properly maintained you will see signs of erroroision starting at the beginning of the lands just past the chamber. It will appear as a section that is dull compared to the barrel further forward. In extreme cases you'll see pitting.
Update: Just got the last of the crud out of a nearly 60 year old rifle. The lands and grooves are in excellent condition now. This was a barrel that was thought to be shot out but was actually never properly cleaned. The layers of carbon and copper continued to build up over the years and I would have to think that the bullet was skidding down the barrel rather than being spun.
On a shot out barrel that has otherwise been properly maintained you will see signs of erroroision starting at the beginning of the lands just past the chamber. It will appear as a section that is dull compared to the barrel further forward. In extreme cases you'll see pitting.
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