Is my barrel worn out?

[Lapua40X]

"ChemDip" Parts cleaner is very effective at removing carbon. It's somewhat difficult to manage because you don't want to use it indoors without exhaust fan ventilation and you don't want it anywhere except directly on the carbon deposit (it's VERY toxic) but if you want something that works and are willing to take the precautions in using it you might want to consider that product.

 

[JRS]

"ChemDip" Parts cleaner is very effective at removing carbon. It's somewhat difficult to manage because you don't want to use it indoors without exhaust fan ventilation and you don't want it anywhere except directly on the carbon deposit (it's VERY toxic) but if you want something that works and are willing to take the precautions in using it you might want to consider that product.

+ 1. As will aviation grade paint stripper

 

[Area Man]

the element carbon when placed under extreme pressure and temperature becomes diamonds. i'm surprised our barrels aren't coated with them as the temp(3000+ f) and pressures(?) occur with each firing.

Try about 2200^F with 725,000 psi and you might get close.

 

[ebb]

Several applications of J-B paste on a very tight patch around a brush or a Parker-Hale jag.

 

[Bluefinger]

Well, I'd did the super clean last night. The barrel was as clean as it has ever been when I got finished. I scrubbed it with the abrasive Witches Brew and then I let it soak overnight with the barrel full of foaming Wipe out. It came out totally clean this morning.
I made it out to the range this afternoon, same as yesterday. It makes a nice 2.5 to 3 inch group now...
I pulled the scope and installed it on to my Rem 5R in 300 win mag, zeroed it in two shots then proceeded to fire a five round group that you could cover with a nickel. The scope is fine. I dialed it all,over the range, out to 800 yards. It was spot on.
I'm going to bore scope it tomorrow just to confirm, but I'm pretty sure that she's gone. I guess I'll shoot the Win Mag in F open for a while with my Atlas bipod and rear sand bag.
Thanks to everyone for the info and advice, I appreciate it!

 

[VaniB]

.........I pulled the scope and installed it on to my Rem 5R in 300 win mag, zeroed it in two shots then proceeded to fire a five round group that you could cover with a nickel. The scope is fine.....

My hat off to you for firing a nickel sized group with 5 shots from out of a factory 300WinMag .....especially when merely checking a scope. I have never been able to do that with a 300Mag. I'm sure targets like that are keepers, and I'd love for you to share that photo with us. If you have the 1/2" MOA 5 shot group targets of the 308, would you post those too? I must be doing something wrong, as that kind of factory accuracy is the exception for me as well. (I'm talking 5 shot 1/2" MOA @100 yards, not 3 shots) For guys like me who can only aspire to shoot that well with factory rifles, target porno photos like yours are just a joy to see. I'll check periodically for those photos. Thanks.

 

[Joe R]

Several applications of J-B paste on a very tight patch around a brush or a Parker-Hale jag.

+1, however you're only guessing until you know, and the only way to know is to look in there.

I had the same problem with my Savage in December, I bought a bore digital scope looked in there and saw lots of copper fowling. Plugged the barrel filled it with Hoppe Copper Solvent, let it sit overnight. Drained the next morning, gave it a half dozen passes with JB Bore paste, cleaned it, verified that is was clean with the bore scope, took it to the range and it was right back on target. YMMV.

Now I use JB Bore paste every 300 rounds.

 

[Bluefinger]

We scoped it today. The throat was extremely worn and fire cracked. I went ahead and ordered a new Bartlein.

VaniB, Thank you for the compliment on my shooting abilities. I hope that you weren't implying that I'm a liar; that would be a bit rude.

Here's a 5 shot group out of the 308 just after I found the load that it liked.

I'll get you some pic's with the Win mag next time I go to the range. All I have a picture of with it is a 3 shot group at 300 yards that would definitely make you call me a liar...

 

[Trapper243]

I ordered a new Bartlein today also. Same problem.

 

[lrgoodger]

I guess it depends on the gun and how much trouble you go through to develop a good load for it. I have a Rem 700 heavy barrel .308 I bought used (owner said only 100 rounds) and after a LOT of load development, it will consistently shoot sub 1/2" five shot groups at 100 yards. Best so far is .24" I even got a few sub 1" groups at 220 yards.

 

[jsthntn247]

We scoped it today. The throat was extremely worn and fire cracked. I went ahead and ordered a new Bartlein.

VaniB, Thank you for the compliment on my shooting abilities. I hope that you weren't implying that I'm a liar; that would be a bit rude.

Here's a 5 shot group out of the 308 just after I found the load that it liked.

I'll get you some pic's with the Win mag next time I go to the range. All I have a picture of with it is a 3 shot group at 300 yards that would definitely make you call me a liar...

How far down the throat did the firecracking go? I'm having the same problem and considering getting it set back. Went from high 190's to low 190's all of a sudden.

 

[Bluefinger]

I'm not sure how far the fire cracking went, maybe a couple of inches. The throat was worn away pretty bad. Using a Stoney Point OAL gauge, the bullet would just barely go in the neck of the case past the boat tail (175 SMK). Those bullets were jumping a long way before they were engaging the lands. I'm surprised that it shot as well as it did for as long as it did.

 

[VaniB]

We scoped it today. The throat was extremely worn and fire cracked. I went ahead and ordered a new Bartlein.

VaniB, Thank you for the compliment on my shooting abilities. I hope that you weren't implying that I'm a liar; that would be a bit rude.

Here's a 5 shot group out of the 308 just after I found the load that it liked.

I'll get you some pic's with the Win mag next time I go to the range. All I have a picture of with it is a 3 shot group at 300 yards that would definitely make you call me a liar...

Very nice. I can't group with a 308 like that. Thanks for posting that.

 

[LHSmith]

If it was me, and it was just a rifle to "learn" condition reading.....I would at least try chasing the lands and if accuracy came back, I would load single...or try other bullets that might like the long jump.