Copper Plating Barrels ?

[Hammer]

Have read of chrome plated barrels.

Has anyone ever copper plated a barrel ?

 

[chop house]

many would say 'everyone that owns a savage'.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Only on the inside .

 

[whatsupdoc]

Quote from the most interesting man in the world.

I dont always plate my barrels

But when I do I prefer Gold

 

[K22]

The way my gunsmith explained to me is that when you fire a jacketed bullet down the bore the copper jacket begins fills the microscopic voids in the steel smoothing those voids in bore. Subsequent bullets slide down with less resistance so, according to him and you are essentially somewhat "plating" the bore. Velocity will tend to increase and point of impact will stabilize.

I'm not gunsmith so I don't know if this is true or not but seems to make sense. I have learned that aggressively removing the copper has caused me first shot flyers and the need to shoot several rounds before I can reestablish consistent point of impact. Thus, I've changed my cleaning process to be less aggressive when it comes to copper removal.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Well, as copper is considered a very soft metal, not sure why anyone would want to put a "jacket stripper" on the inside of their barrel. But I've seen some weird stuff over my lifetime.

By doing so, that copper would build up quickly and actually reduce the ID of the bore over time, causing pressure increases. After a hot day in the rat patch, it's hard enough removing the copper as-is, can't imagine adding more. Seems like a bad idea.

 

[butchlambert]

I do know that at one time copper was introduced into a reamed rifle blank as a lube for the rifling button.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I do know that at one time copper was introduced into a reamed rifle blank as a lube for the rifling button.

One company still does it. Really throws off the customer when they run those first patches thru, or today looks in there with a borescope

 

[Tommie]

Watching

 

[Webster]

The way my gunsmith explained to me is that when you fire a jacketed bullet down the bore the copper jacket begins fills the microscopic voids in the steel smoothing those voids in bore. Subsequent bullets slide down with less resistance so, according to him and you are essentially somewhat "plating" the bore. Velocity will tend to increase and point of impact will stabilize.

I'm not gunsmith so I don't know if this is true or not but seems to make sense. I have learned that aggressively removing the copper has caused me first shot flyers and the need to shoot several rounds before I can reestablish consistent point of impact. Thus, I've changed my cleaning process to be less aggressive when it comes to copper removal.

I have examined several rifle bores with about 4000 shots on a scanning electron microscope. None of the cracks from erosion or scratches had copper in them.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have examined several rifle bores with about 4000 shots on a scanning electron microscope. None of the cracks from erosion or scratches had copper in them.

Id like to see some of those pics. I always wanted to do that

 

[Bill K]

All barrels will show signs of coppery plating. It is not just Savage. Why do you think all shooters clean their barrels for copper and carbon residue ?

many would say 'everyone that owns a savage'.

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

I wonder why no barrel companies ever made any copper barrel blanks or bore liners?

 

[ebb]

Too soft

 

[whatsupdoc]

I have seen a brass 22 rimfire barrel

 

[SEM]

please don't derail this post, It's funny enough just the way it is...LOL I like my savage copper miners get lots of it..... may start a collection

 

[jelenko]

I have examined several rifle bores with about 4000 shots on a scanning electron microscope. None of the cracks from erosion or scratches had copper in them.

How about down the bore a bit where there's no firecracking? I.e., does copper ever get into the 'pores'?

 

[JMayo]

Im thinking reading isn't several ppls strong suit ....
Maybe it's just me ....

 

[K22]

I have examined several rifle bores with about 4000 shots on a scanning electron microscope. None of the cracks from erosion or scratches had copper in them.

Interesting - I'll take your word for it.

All I know is what my rifles tell me. Mine unquestionably shoot more consistently without flyers if I do not use aggressive copper removing solvents. I learn this the hard way and through testing. I can't technically speculate why this is so, only that it is. My rifle smith provided an explanation.

In addition, after referral from a fellow shooter when I was having first shot flyers and point of aim consistency after cleaning, I watch gunblue490's videos on solvents and cleaning and a few others that promote the idea of "copper equilibrium". At first, I was totally skeptical until I tried and tested it. Now I'm a believer.

 

[Tommie]

Im thinking reading isn't several ppls strong suit ....
Maybe it's just me ....

Nope. It’s not just you.