6.5 Grendel bolt gun copper fouling quickly

[chuckbuster243]

Hello guys, I just finished up a 6.5 Grendel bolt gun project on a savage. I used a takeoff barrel with unknown round count. Supposedly a couple hundred or less from a 6.5 wsm. I have allot of different barrels and most even my magnums don't copper up that bad and can be cleaned with Butch's relatively quick. This barrel I shot 1 and cleaned for 5 and then shot some five shot groups. The barrel shot around a inch at 200 yards with a 123 AMAX and 28.5 grains IMR8208XBR. I cleaned after each 5 shot and it was blue as the sky... I could see copper shavings on the patch's. So I soaked and scrubbed and finally got it clean and polished with some JB and Flitz. Went to the range and tried some more 5 shot groups and a little better but still copper out the wazoo.. So what ideas do y'all have for me? just keep shooting cleaning and polishing? The gun groups fairly well around an inch without tuning. I have never shot more than 5 at a time either. So send me ideas.. I am open. Matt

 

[MrMajestic]

Nice tomato stake! ;D

I have a PacNor 8tw 6.5 Grendel Match chambered tube and can't get any copper! If it fouls with that caliber there is probably no hope for it. jmho

 

[DCRYDER]

How about Danzac coated bullets?

 

[mac86951]

At this point, it can't hurt to try out JB Bore compound, or one of the abrasive bullet combos. I'm sure there are others people will recommend.

 

[GSPV]

Doesn't sound like a keeper to me. I'd just cut my losses and get a better barrel.

 

[Rtheurer]

Chuck

Does the accuracy go to heck when its dirty? ( fouled) If not it really should be of benfit that it shoots well while fouled. At an inch Im guessing your not shooting benchrest and its a fun gun based on using a take off barrel.

Heck I prefer a barrel that shoots well with 60 rounds on the barrel and fouled. If it wont it gets sent down the road because a National Championship is not worth it.

RT

 

[cmillard]

what barrel do you have? you could try some of david tubbs lapping bullets

 

[chuckbuster243]

Chuck

Does the accuracy go to heck when its dirty? ( fouled) If not it really should be of benfit that it shoots well while fouled. At an inch Im guessing your not shooting benchrest and its a fun gun based on using a take off barrel.

Heck I prefer a barrel that shoots well with 60 rounds on the barrel and fouled. If it wont it gets sent down the road because a National Championship is not worth it.

RT

Your right it is just a fun barrel. I was going to try and get a prairie dog season out of it and buy a new one when funds are more available. I am going to shoot 20 or 30 next range session and see if the groups open up. I hope it gets better or it will be a tomato stake. I will keep y'all posted. Matt

 

[chuckbuster243]

Re: 6.5 Grendel bolt gun copper fouling quickly (update)

Hello guys,
I got to shoot the Grendel a little more. Come to find out its starting to clean better now and it shoots great fouled. I shot and won a 300 yard 40 shot match with sighters and ended up with a 391 13X. I have shot the most consistently with 123 amax and 28.5 8208 jam 10 thou. That groups inside 1/2 at 200 yards for 5 shots... SMK shoots tighter but throws fliers allot! It takes 6 or 8 to get fouled in, but I think it may turn out ok... Matt

 

[jonbearman]

Try tubbs final finish,it really works on factory barrels real well.I ran some through my f-class savage 30 inch tube and voila,way less copper and it cleaned way easier and more accuracy to boot.

 

[boltfluter]

Try tubbs final finish,it really works on factory barrels real well.I ran some through my f-class savage 30 inch tube and voila,way less copper and it cleaned way easier and more accuracy to boot.

Very good advice from John. I have also had great luck with the Tubbs kit.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[JASmith]

Grendels should not foul much, if at all because the velocities are modest. My guess is that your barrel started with a rough spot and it is starting to smooth out with the shooting and cleaning.

There is a reloading book dedicated to the Grendel. You can read about it here: http://shootersnotes.com/articles/6-5-grendel-reloading-handbook/