Bore conditioning

[DShortt]

Curiosity question. I've seen .22lr bores with lead fouling when a new or barrel cleaned to bare steel was taken out and fired with SV lubed bullets. I've no idea if this happens a lot or not, but I've seen it several times.

So I was wondering if anyone who has noticed this has tried pre-conditioning the bore with some type of lube? Cast bullet lube comes to mind but I've never tried it. Hence, my question.

Thanks in advance for the benefit of anyone's experience.

 

[gkgeiger]

I clean a new barrel, shoot it, clean it again, repeat. Of course I use lubed match ammo.

 

[dutch14]

What brand of standard velocity ammo?

Never soon it happen myself.

 

[DShortt]

Federal Champion 40 grain solids. 1240 advertised velocity.

No, nowhere close to match ammo.

 

[Tim Slater]

Actual lead fouling, ie a rough spot in the bore was scraping the bullet, or the sticky soot from the powder and bullet lubricant?

Sorry to be a pedant, but calling fouling lead is a pet peeve (one of many alas).

 

[DShortt]

Actual lead fouling, ie a rough spot in the bore was scraping the bullet, or the sticky soot from the powder and bullet lubricant?

Sorry to be a pedant, but calling fouling lead is a pet peeve (one of many alas).

When I removed it there were shiny lead slivers on the patch. Borescope images attached.

 

[DShortt]

I didn't take a photo of the patches. Didn't think it would be relevant at the time. It's a new barrel in this case. Less than 50 rounds.

 

[DShortt]

Same area after lead removal. Yes, still a streak or 2 in this image.

 

[1911nut]

Give that ammo to somebody you don’t like.

 

[1911nut]

This stuff got the lead out of a pistol barrel badly lead fouled by Remington Thunderbolts.

 

[DShortt]

Give that ammo to somebody you don’t like.

I'm really hoping it's not an ammo problem. I bought a bunch of it shortly after .22LR finally wasn't nearly unobtainable.

 

[DShortt]

This stuff got the lead out of a pistol barrel badly lead fouled by Remington Thunderbolts.

View attachment 1459629

Getting it out isn't the issue. I don't want it in there to begin with.

 

[gkgeiger]

Getting it out isn't the issue. I don't want it in there to begin with.

1911nut said it.

 

[cwebster]

Curiosity question. I've seen .22lr bores with lead fouling when a new or barrel cleaned to bare steel was taken out and fired with SV lubed bullets. I've no idea if this happens a lot or not, but I've seen it several times.

So I was wondering if anyone who has noticed this has tried pre-conditioning the bore with some type of lube? Cast bullet lube comes to mind but I've never tried it. Hence, my question.

Thanks in advance for the benefit of anyone's experience.

Only 22lr ammo ive had leading issues with was remington thunderbolts, and that was 30 years ago.

 

[DShortt]

1911nut said it.

Well, shit.

 

[K22]

I can go an entire shooting season with my S&W Model 17's, 6"-barrel revolvers and never clean the barrel. I just clean the crown and brush out the cylinder every 100 rounds. They retain 10 ring accuracy all season, 600 to 900 rounds.

I use nothing but CCI standard velocity ammunition. Great stuff.

At the end of the season, I clean the barrel with Hoppe's 9 and a bronze brush. I know, that isn't sexy, but I've been doing it like this for about 50 years. When I competed in NRA precision pistol (bullseye in the old vernacular) I shot Distinguished Expert (285x300). It seemed to work.

I have no idea what the inside of the bore looks like, and I don't care as long as it holds a 10 ring. Back in the day, we didn't have bore scopes, we based everything on performance on target.

 

[DShortt]

I started looking because the group opened up to over 8" fast. 20 yards.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

I started looking because the group opened up to over 8" fast. 20 yards.

Is this a factory barrel or custom aftermarket? I never seen a new barrel factory or custom have a problem you are describing. I have seen it in neglected barrels from owners who fell for that never have to clean myth.

Lee

 

[DShortt]

It's a new aftermarket barrel. Looking at the ammunition I'm not so sure it's not a lube problem. I'll try it again before I make any conclusions. I'd rather not say who the barrel came from until I decide what the issue is and give them a chance to correct it if it even turns out to be a barrel issue.
No point in dragging someone's name through the mud if it's not their problem and if they've not had the opportunity to address it.

I question the lube which is why I posed my original question.

 

[Tim Slater]

When I removed it there were shiny lead slivers on the patch. Borescope images attached.

That's not normal. Bullet lead is not meant to be the lubricant. Either there's something wrong with the ammo, perhaps the alloy isn't right, or the barrel itself.

Once the barrel is clean I'd try different ammo.