Carbon ring vs carbon stain

[BoydAllen]

I've always had success with 10 - 14 brush cycles for up to 40 rounbds fired. But you make an interesting point about scoping the bore at 2 / 4 / 6 etc brush cycles, to see how the carbon deposits fare.

A while back a friend brought over a new 6PPC that he had just used to fire form 50 cases, and barrel break in at the same time, cleaning as he went including bronze brushing. He had cleaned it before bringing it over for a look at the bore with my bore scope. When we did, it showed some powder fouling that told me that he had not brushed enough. After that I had him brush another 25 cycles with a new bronze brush and Butch’s. After that things were much improved, good enough for short range group competition. Despite some of the stuff on the internet, IMO and that of a lot of top shooters, with good equipment, rod and bore guide, and proper technique you will not damage a barrel with a bronze brush and solvent.

 

[William Vogel]

Until I got a borescope, I only thought I was cleaning the barrel. I went into cleaning until I had a perfect polished bore and chamber end. I found that it took about 6 or 7 shots to get the barrel back up and stable.
Prior to the borescope and let me admit I’ve only been reloading about a year. I didn’t realize that switching powder or bullets required fouling rounds to condition the bore. When I started, I’d load up a bunch of different stuff and was disappointing myself.
Back to present. I’ve tuned loads for each of my rifles and the accuracy is pretty darn good. I only shoot for fun and I usually only take enough ammunition to fire 20 good shots per rifle. I have a warmup target. Not cleaning usually gets me on in about 4 rounds. Squeaky clean takes 6 or 7.
Am I doing the right thing by accumulating 60-80 shots before a thorough cleaning?

 

[Martin52]

Am I doing the right thing by accumulating 60-80 shots before a thorough cleaning?

There's a timing consideration as well. Cleaning after 60-80 shots in a single day or cleaning after a month shooting 20 rounds each weekend? Does carbon harden up the longer its left in the barrel. i don't know so I clean at the end of each day in FTR.

 

[William Vogel]

There's a timing consideration as well. Cleaning after 60-80 shots in a single day or cleaning after a month shooting 20 rounds each weekend? Does carbon harden up the longer its left in the barrel. i don't know so I clean at the end of each day in FTR.

It’s become about 2-3 weeks. I have dry brushed and dry patched to try to make me feel better about it but because I have good consistency with the loading and prep I hate shooting the foulers. I should probably just get back to the routine of cleaning properly after each session. I do have an old Remington 700 police that shoots less than 1/2 MOA at 700 yards and its clean cold bore shot hits like all the other bullets. It’s amazing that the factory barrel is that good.

 

[BoydAllen]

Until I got a borescope, I only thought I was cleaning the barrel. I went into cleaning until I had a perfect polished bore and chamber end. I found that it took about 6 or 7 shots to get the barrel back up and stable.
Prior to the borescope and let me admit I’ve only been reloading about a year. I didn’t realize that switching powder or bullets required fouling rounds to condition the bore. When I started, I’d load up a bunch of different stuff and was disappointing myself.
Back to present. I’ve tuned loads for each of my rifles and the accuracy is pretty darn good. I only shoot for fun and I usually only take enough ammunition to fire 20 good shots per rifle. I have a warmup target. Not cleaning usually gets me on in about 4 rounds. Squeaky clean takes 6 or 7.
Am I doing the right thing by accumulating 60-80 shots before a thorough cleaning?

You can do it however you want, but I tend to limit my runs to 25 rounds before cleaning. One tip that I got from a friend is to wet the bore with Kroil immediately after you fire your last shot, and that way the powder fouling will not be as hard to remove if you do not clean immediately, while the barrel is still warm. I believe that you want to preserve a patina rather than take every atom out of the barrel. Extensive brushing with a tight bronze brush will often get you to a bore that shoots its best and may require fewer fouling shots than if you had used an abrasive. IMO it is pretty typical for fellows not to do enough brushing in a given cleaning session.

 

[BoydAllen]

There's a timing consideration as well. Cleaning after 60-80 shots in a single day or cleaning after a month shooting 20 rounds each weekend? Does carbon harden up the longer its left in the barrel. i don't know so I clean at the end of each day in FTR.

The powder on case necks is the same stuff as you have in the barrel, except for the part that turns into hard carbon. Take a case that has just been fired and wipe off the fouling, and then try the same thing with a case that has sat for a week or two. I think that you will have your answer. If you must delay cleaning, wet the bore with Kroil and leave it that way until you clean. I think that you will find that it keeps the powder fouling from hardening as much.

 

[Doublejake]

There was no such thing as a carbon ring.....until Boyer's book came out.

Reading it now lol

 

[D Coots]

Best book out there.

Loaded with real Facts.