Barrel fouling and carbon ring- Update

[RandyD]

I have a similar problem, and I would appreciate recommendations. I inherited my grandfather's Winchester 1894 in .30 WCF that was made in 1894. The inside of the barrel is solid black, the rest of the rifle is in good condition with no rust. I have used several cans of Wipe Out and the patches keep coming out black. I can't seem to get all of the black out. Changing the barrel is not an option, because the barrel is a half round, meaning the first half is octagon and the last half if round. Based on the above recommendations I am going to try JB Paste, but is there any other suggestions.

 

[fyrewall]

My thinking is that a thin smooth black layer is not carbon or any fouling but chromium oxide formed on the surface of stainless steel. If removed by some abrasive, this stuff will reform as the barrel is subjected to heat & oxygen. The chromium oxide layer would have no affect on accuracy.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a similar problem, and I would appreciate recommendations. I inherited my grandfather's Winchester 1894 in .30 WCF that was made in 1894. The inside of the barrel is solid black, the rest of the rifle is in good condition with no rust. I have used several cans of Wipe Out and the patches keep coming out black. I can't seem to get all of the black out. Changing the barrel is not an option, because the barrel is a half round, meaning the first half is octagon and the last half if round. Based on the above recommendations I am going to try JB Paste, but is there any other suggestions.

Why is replacing a half octagon barrel not an option? It works just like any other barrel.

 

[bobm]

That dark black ring at the end of the chamber neck is definitely carbon. But keep in mind this picture is greatly magnified. My guess it is only .005-.008 wide at most. New factory brass mouths will be .025-.030 short of being near it. No need to struggle with removing it all. It's got some good erosion going on. Just shoot the heck out of it and enjoy.

Look at the latest pictures of chambered brass in the Teslong thread in the bore scopes section.

 

[fyrewall]

Sounds like the OP has an accuracy problem.

"it fouls up so bad after a few shots you..."

My guess is that the rough area happened during chambering and catches all sorts of bad stuff and lapping might fix it.

 

[Texas10]

A question for you who chamber your own barrels; Would a throating reamer hand turned work to cut the carbon out?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

A question for you who chamber your own barrels; Would a throating reamer hand turned work to cut the carbon out?

Wouldnt use one of my cutting tools on it

 

[BoydAllen]

A question for you who chamber your own barrels; Would a throating reamer hand turned work to cut the carbon out?

It wouldn't cut between the lands, and the stuff if so hard it would ruin the reamer's edges.

 

[Tommie]

Why is replacing a half octagon barrel not an option? It works just like any other barrel.

Dude. Possible? Sure. But replacing that original barrel would be pure sin!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dude. Possible? Sure. But replacing that original barrel would be pure sin!

Re-line it is what id do

 

[AJC]

Dude. Possible? Sure. But replacing that original barrel would be pure sin!

If the barrel is gone and now just spits bullets around then why not. There are specialized companies that do this not hack jobs. All about priorities I guess.

 

[kelbro]

1894 30 WCF, why would you mess with it? Just clean it the best you can and shoot it. It will never be much more accurate than it is now and that barrel has earned its blackening!

 

[RandyD]

Why is replacing a half octagon barrel not an option? It works just like any other barrel.

The rifle and the barrel, as I stated were made in 1894, finding an exact original, is next to impossible, and I do not want to ruin the collector value of the rifle. I want to clean and preserve the barrel. I have shot it, but that was decades ago, and when I shot it, I was not trying to collect date on accuracy. Again, I just want some suggestions from anyone who may have some ideas and suggestions on how I can clean the barrel, so that it is clean and shiny.

 

[Coonman300]

i think I have the problem fixed. Boyd Allen's advice to try iosso has got the barrel looking much better. Thanks Boyd and thanks to everyone else for their advice. I'll be shooting it next week and will update. Thanks and Merry Christmas to all.

 

[mike mccormick]

The rifle and the barrel, as I stated were made in 1894, finding an exact original, is next to impossible, and I do not want to ruin the collector value of the rifle. I want to clean and preserve the barrel. I have shot it, but that was decades ago, and when I shot it, I was not trying to collect date on accuracy. Again, I just want some suggestions from anyone who may have some ideas and suggestions on how I can clean the barrel, so that it is clean and shiny.

Get a silicone plug that fits the barrel, stand it on end and fill it with kroil. Let it stand a few days. Then pull the plug and use a bronze brush on it, followed by patches. I will probably get flak about it, but have seen it work too many times

 

[Coonman300]

I cleaned this barrel with Iosso and got it looking really clean. Loaded up about 6 different loads and it shot worse than before. Seems like there is a very narrow sweet spot where the barrel is fouled enough to shoot decent then goes down hill fast. Anyhow, I’m going to start a new thread to get some advice on replacing the barrel as I have never had that done. Thanks for everyone’s input.