Colorado Redneck
New member
I have a couple Savage rifles chambered in .204 Ruger. After 800 rounds max., there has been a problem removing copper from the rifling (not new, ever since the early round count). The barrel in the picture is a Criterion barrel, cleaned with Hoppes no. 9, then with Hoppes Bench Rest left in the bore over night. My loads are 1.5 gr. below max load Benchmark, 40 gr. V-max bullets. Without getting into detail, I have used Hoppes Bench Rest to remove copper, left it in the bore over night, brushed with nylon brush etc. And Sweets 7.65 doesn't get it out either. If there is this much copper at the muzzle after a very thorough cleaning, how much is just past the throat? Any comments or opinions appreciated. And I need to add, accuracy in the Criterion barrel is great. Accuracy in the Savage factory barrel degrades if the copper isn't cleaned out. But the damned copper at the muzzle never goes away.