Moly or Not

[Cedarcreek]

I am building a 260 AI project and am at the time of load/ bullet/ powder selection. One of the questions I have is regarding Moly. At this point I have not used Moly, but I have an interest due to Barrel life. I am curious what the estimated barrel life would be on a 260 AI w/ naked bullets vs. Moly. Is Moly worth it? Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[jr600yd]

I've been shooting a straight 260 for over 10 yrs, all with molly bullets. Your question on barrel life between naked and molly bullets will draw lots of answers both pro and con. I will say this. Cleaning a mollied barrel is a lot easier and quicker than a plain barrel.

Good shooting, Jim

 

[RonAKA]

The basic formula I use suggests about 1300 rounds with 55 grains of powder. No idea what improvement there could be with moly bullets. My understanding of barrel burning is that it is a throat issue, and is a result of heat and oxidation of the metal in that localized area. My guess would be that moly on bullets would not make any difference.

 

[NORZ]

The only rifle I have with a considerable round-count through it is a factory Ruger M77 mk2 Target, getting close to 9500 rounds fired. The accuray is no worse or maybe a bit better than it was when I got it. Shot 1500 naked rounds first and took good care of it. Today I dont clean it, with the exception of a once in a while Kroil/alcohol soaked patch. The first shot hits were the last shot did and the groups remain similiar even with a boiling hot and cold barrel. But thats from a factory Ruger and the groups are, " at least better that they were shooting naked bullets", nothing to write home about though.

I have moly´d for quite some time and recently got introduced to one of moly´s marvelous propertys. It draws moisture from the air and just wouldnt stick to anything, not even the media it self, just sat there on the bottom of the bowl all on its own, doing nothing and lot of it. That was my mistake not taking better care of it.

I´m in the reduced friction-team, when it comes to shooting, permanently.

 

[navyrad8r]

cedar,
Also consider using HBN instead of moly. easier to work with, ans consider using Rydol in the barrel.
doc

 

[Cedarcreek]

navyrad8r- What is HBN?

 

[jlmurphy]

HBN = Hexagonal Boron Nitride - do a search.

 

[Cedarcreek]

Thanks for the info on HBN, very interesting. I will do some more research. Are there any negatives to the HBN?

 

[navyrad8r]

i just got a pound delivered yesterday, gonna tinker with it. no negatives that i have read about except it is expensive($60~$90/lb.) and not easy to come by.

 

[redrock]

HBN is the way to go i like that I can still see my colored points on bt bullets.

In the br game a very very few still use moly because of its strong ability to atract moisture, HBN and Ws2 do not have this negaive trait.

HBN is not that hard to find,do your research you probably won't use Moly. but a better option
http://www.bench-talk.com/blogs/stan_ware/archive/2009/12/13/boron-nitride-bn-or-more-specifically-hexagonal-boron-nitride-hbn-use-by-shooters.aspx

 

[4xforfun]

Is this a new gun??? If so, I would do the break in with out molly. Get at least 30 - 50 rounds down the tube before you switch to coated bullets.

I do not use molly in my match guns. I love molly, but in my experience dating back to the mid 90's...it takes about a dozen shots to settle the bbl down after a cleaning. Shots 13 - 15 make nice tiny groups....every time. I just can't shoot that many sighters during a match. Now, the fault in my process is that I OVER CLEAN. Conventional wisdom is a few patches of croil and some JB. I clean the living %&*^# out of my tubes.....ANAL-COMPULSIVE!!!!!

My hunting guns ALL get molly.

 

[Cedarcreek]

4xforfun- it is a new barrel. it will be chambered in 260 remington, 27" shilen barrel

 

[Clark]

I use hard cast Lead bullets with lube bands between 800 and 1200 fps to prevent Lead fouling.
I use hard cast bullets with Copper gas checks between 1200 and 1600 fps to prevent Lead fouling.
I use Copper jacketed bullets in cartridges between 1600 and 2600 fps to prevent Lead fouling.
I use moly coated bullets in cartridges between 2600 and 3600 fps to prevent Copper fouling.

To use moly coated bullets, I clean the Copper out of the bore, clean the Copper cleaner out of the bore, burnish with Lyman Moly bore cream, and start shooting. The first shot is a fouling shot, there after I get accuracy.

I still get Copper fouling, even with moly, just not as often, and it is easier to clean.

"The real truth about moly coated bullets" by Walt Berger

Q: Should I shoot Moly Coated bullets?
A:
Any shooter who goes through a lot of rounds during a shooting session
should use Moly Coated bullets. Moly is a dry lubricant that allows you
to shoot more rounds before you have to clean. Since you get less
fouling using Moly Coated bullets the accuracy level of your load will
last longer within a shooting session. If your load did not shoot
without Moly, adding Moly will not make your load shoot. Moly does not
eliminate the need to clean your barrel. You just don't have to clean as
often. Moly will reduce the pressure of your load, which will result in
a slight loss of velocity. In most situations a little more powder can
be added to get you right back to the velocity you want to shoot. If you
are shooting a compressed load with non-Moly bullets you may not be able
to add more powder. It has not been conclusively proven that premium
accuracy life of a barrel will be extended using Moly. However, since
you don't have to clean as often due to reduced fouling premium accuracy
during a particular shooting session does last longer.

Q: If I use Moly Coated bullets how should I clean my barrel?
A:
The following is one way to clean when using Moly Coated bullets. It is
not likely the only way you can clean if you are using Moly Coated bullets.
1. Push one patch wet with Kroil Oil through the barrel
2. Repeat step 1.
3. Push one dry patch through the barrel.
4. Repeat step 3.
5. Push one patch wet with Butch's Bore Shine through the barrel.
6. Repeat step 5.
7. Let the barrel soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
8. Push one dry patch through the barrel.
9. Repeat step 8.
10. Using short strokes back and forth push one patch wet with USP or JB
Bore Paste through the barrel.
11. Push one patch wet with Kroil through the barrel.
12. Repeat step 11 twice.
13. Push one dry patch through the barrel.
14. Repeat step 13 three times.
15. Use bore scope or visually inspect muzzle for copper fouling.
16. If copper is present repeat steps 10 through 15.
17. If you are storing the rifle push one patch wet with quality gun oil
through the barrel.

Q: How do I break in a barrel using Moly Coated bullets?
A: Moly Coated bullets will not shoot consistently until a barrel is
properly broken in with Moly Coated bullets. Walt Berger has found the
following procedure to work best in his barrels.
For a new barrel:

1. Shoot one Moly Coated bullet then clean using the Moly Coated
cleaning procedure listed above.
2. Repeat step 1 five times.
3. Shoot three Moly Coated bullets then clean using the Moly Coated
cleaning procedure listed above.
4. Repeat step 3 five times.

For a broken in barrel:

1. Thoroughly clean the barrel.
2. Shoot ten Moly Coated bullets then clean using the Moly Coated
cleaning procedure listed above.

Your barrel is now ready to shoot Moly Coated bullets.