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Help me diagnose this barrel

Hi,

I just got a new 33XC barrel for my AI AXMC. Shot 50 round as part of barrel breakin. I have cleaned the barrel multiple times during the firing process (5 shots strings).

I am not very familiar with how the interior of a barrel should look like after cleaning. I understand there could be differing perspectives on this, but as this is an ELR build every bit of consistency/precision is of utmost value. Can experienced shooters look at the video on below given link and help me diagnose the barrel condition?

Link To Video

1. The space between raised ridges (grooves) looks black in initial portion after breech. Is that black color normal or signs of excessive carbon buildup.

2. I also see some kind of web like structures/cracks in first 10 inches of barrel. What is that?

3. The last 15 inches of barrel look diff vs first 15 inches of this 30 inch barrel. In last 15 inches the barrel is lot more whitish and it is difficult to figure out where grooves are. Is this normal or something else is going on.

4. Any other feedback/readings you have on this barrel.

Grateful for your time and assistance on this.
 
I do see something that looks like heavy carbon in the chamber area. Hard to tell in the video.
In the bore I see a mix of copper fouling and some carbon fouling. I'd use a copper remover first to get as much copper out as possible. I like BoreTech copper solvent personally but others will work as well.
After getting the copper out I'd brush it and clean as normal to see if any remaining carbon fouling will come out. If not and you want to get it really clean some JB Bore paste on a worn Bore brush with a couple of patches should get it out pretty easily.
So far as the overall Bore condition it looks fine to me. I see nothing alarming at all, just some copper and powder fouling from shooting it about 50 times. Looks good overall, just a little dirty.
 
I would suggest drying the bbl before you do your bore scoping. You will get less glare and the internal bbl will be easier to inspect.

As was said before, there is a lot of carbon on the breech end and evidence of copper.
If that bbl only has 50 rds thu it, that level of fire cracking in the lead area seems excessive. My 6.5x284 was smoother at this stage than the bbl you are looking at.
Good advice to work the throat area with JB paste. The smoother you can keep the lead area, the longer accuracy lasts.
For the copper, try some Bore Tech Eliminator. For the carbon, Slip 2000 does a good job. Then use your JB paste according to what your bore scope is telling you.
 
Hi,

I just got a new 33XC barrel for my AI AXMC. Shot 50 round as part of barrel breakin. I have cleaned the barrel multiple times during the firing process (5 shots strings).

I am not very familiar with how the interior of a barrel should look like after cleaning. I understand there could be differing perspectives on this, but as this is an ELR build every bit of consistency/precision is of utmost value. Can experienced shooters look at the video on below given link and help me diagnose the barrel condition?

Link To Video

1. The space between raised ridges (grooves) looks black in initial portion after breech. Is that black color normal or signs of excessive carbon buildup.

2. I also see some kind of web like structures/cracks in first 10 inches of barrel. What is that?

3. The last 15 inches of barrel look diff vs first 15 inches of this 30 inch barrel. In last 15 inches the barrel is lot more whitish and it is difficult to figure out where grooves are. Is this normal or something else is going on.

4. Any other feedback/readings you have on this barrel.

Grateful for your time and assistance on this.
Looks pretty normal for a big magnum
 
Soak it with C4 for the heavy carbon, you may need a couple applications.
As others have said, you have heat checking in the breech end…..lots of powder, lots of heat.
 
only 50 shots , thats going to be a 800-1000 round barrel with the firecracking evidence showing already . How many grooves does that barrel have ?
Definitely evidence of carbon and needs some deep cleaning
 
only 50 shots , thats going to be a 800-1000 round barrel with the firecracking evidence showing already . How many grooves does that barrel have ?
Definitely evidence of carbon and needs some deep cleaning
120 grains of powder in a 338 hole will do that.
You should see what 140+ in a 338 hole does
Dead in 500-600 shots.
 

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