New barrel question-Update, thanks to Boyd Allen!

[Dusty Stevens]

@Stan Taylor may can shed some light on whats going on here

 

[Stan Taylor]

Button rifle barrels need some sort of lubrication to make it work an, I see the clean out process was maybe missed.
If I was the OP I would take a bore cleaner an a bronze brush an scrubb it out an, then take his borescope an look at the progress to see if he's satisfied with what he thinks it should look like.
Then I would shoot it to see if it's a good barrel as @Dusty Stevens said it definitely looks smooth for sure.

 

[Coonman300]

One shot didnt do that. Ive seen some awful cheap barrels not even suitable for a hunting rifle that didnt do that in 10 shots. That barrel is too smooth to be that way.
How many lands and grooves are in that barrel?

Dusty- 6
I starting breaking the barrel in yesterday. I shot it 10 times, cleaning after each round. It took quite a while to get it clean after each shot. I forgot the borescope so I just cleaned very thoroughly until absolutely no blue was on any patch. By the tenth shot it was a little easier to clean. Then I did 2 3 shot groups. Didn’t seem to be any worse cleaning after 3 shots than 1. I cleaned the crap out of it again and shot it once so I could borescope it with 1 shot down the barrel. Those pics are attached. The fouling was worse in the last 10 inches of the barrel. That’s exactly the opposite of the fouling when I received the gun as most of the fouling was in the first half of the barrel. The groups weren’t very good but not really sure what to expect with most the shots being on a clean barrel. These pics are from 1 shot down the barrel. Not much different than my original pic??

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have discussed this with some folks that know and we have came to the conclusion thats a copper wash for rifling button lubrication and was probably just forgotten when it came time to clean it out. Just clean it good with your copper solvent and a bronze brush then maybe flitz or iosso on a patch. No different than any other break in, just shoot it as normal. That appears to be a good barrel so just enjoy it. Those borescopes are alarming at times. Every company makes mistakes and at least this one is simple to remedy without having to do anything drastic.

 

[fatelvis]

Shilen makes arguably one of the best barrels out there. Like others have said, I would clean it well with a good copper solvent (Boretech is a great one) and some Iosso paste scrubbed down the bore. I would then start trying different ammo or handloads for the best group. Have faith in that barrel, it’s a good one!

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

You have gotten some expert advice from the folks here. The only other thing I would do is call the manufacturer and ask them what they think. Whatever the problem is, if there even is a problem, it is not anything the gunsmith did. Talking the the manufacturer may explain the issue and relieve your anxiety. By the way, you have made no comment of how the new barrel shoots. One thing I have learned here is that if Dusty comments on an issue, you can most likely take it as Gospel.

 

[Coonman300]

Dusty and Fatelvis- I am using Boretech and I have the barrel spotless. The last pics were after I had cleaned the barrel and fired one shot and still had the coating of copper from just the 1 shot ( which was about the 18th shot down the barrel). So do I still need to use the Iosso since it is clean or is that just part of the break in process to use it?
Thanks and sorry for my confusion.

 

[Texas10]

I have been to the Shilen Factory and seen their air gaging and bore lapping process. There was no copper in the barrel during the lapping, and of course none afterward. I suspect this barrel was somehow overlooked and never got the final clean and hand lapping (if a Select Match). My Shilen Match barrel (not Select Match) was bright and shiny inside when I recieved it, no copper residue evident. A Select Match barrel would have been visually checked with borescope camera (they've got a wide screen tv, really cool) air gaged and lapped accordingly.

Shilen will take good care of you, but you may have to work through your "smith" if it was sold to him. I'd check with him first and see if sending it back for rework is appropriate.

Dusty has a good practical solution to overcome the copper issue if that's the path you choose. I would personally choose to send it back, or I'd be forever second guessing myself about a missed shot.

Edit: I just saw your above post having removed all the copper residue, so you can disregard this post.

 

[Coonman300]

You have gotten some expert advice from the folks here. The only other thing I would do is call the manufacturer and ask them what they think. Whatever the problem is, if there even is a problem, it is not anything the gunsmith did. Talking the the manufacturer may explain the issue and relieve your anxiety. By the way, you have made no comment of how the new barrel shoots. One thing I have learned here is that if Dusty comments on an issue, you can most likely take it as Gospel.

Thanks Nick, I plan on calling them today, they were closed Friday. The groups weren’t very good but i wasn’t sure what to expect with most every shot being after a cleaning. Ran out of time since it took much longer than I expected getting it really clean after every shot. Hope to be able to finish the break in and shoot some groups this weekend.
Thank you.

 

[Coonman300]

Update to thread- got the copper issue under control but was still having problems with the groups. After several discussions with Boyd Allen he had me check the bedding. There was a small amount of the bedding compound from previous barrel setup that was touching this barrel. I could slip a piece of paper between stock and barrel but I was hitting the compound about 3/4” from the action. I got a dremel and ground it down until I had good clearance to the action. Immediately Shot two groups under a half inch and a third one was .505. I couldn’t happier for a light weight deer/coyote rifle! Boyd was a ton of help as were many others with the issues I had. I greatly appreciate everyone’s guidance and advice. This is a great site!







I just had a barrel replaced on a hunting rifle. First time I’ve ever had that done and I think I have a problem. Would anyone be willing to pm me and let me ask a couple of questions? Would rather not jump to conclusions on open forum.

Thanks.