Well, bit the bullet (every pun intended) and spent the $35 to obtain and try the SnipeX barrel bore improvement treatment. For those of you who remember when Otis carried something similar, this is a one-part ceramic bore coating (instead of the Otis three-part) that one applies via bullets fired while coated with the product as well as the walls of the bore.
I had a .223 factory barrel with a horrible throat cracking issue. Beyond the usual moon craters and cracking there were a couple of places with cracks ACROSS the lands and grooves (!). One in an X shape. I can only conclude that those were manufacturing or installation issues (it is a CZ 527 factory barrel - would have asked for a new one but that I did not have my bore scope at that time and it shot well in spite of it).
Applied the SnipeX as directed (not great instructions by the way, they need someone with better English skills to re-write them) which involves coating bore and bullet and firing same thirty times. I initially was concerned about pressure problems from having a gel substance in the bore and on the bullet but had no issues at all with normal handloads. In the end it did have a positive effect. The cracks and scratches were filled in to a degree with a brass colored coating that did not clean out with Sweet's 7.62. The bore was smoother and accuracy was every bit as good as ever. Time will tell how long it will last. The company says "at least 3000 rounds" but also says "reapply no less than once a year". No idea. I won't be using it on my match rifle barrels but for sporters I think it is worth your time to try it.
No, I have no connection with the company in any way.
Mike T.
I had a .223 factory barrel with a horrible throat cracking issue. Beyond the usual moon craters and cracking there were a couple of places with cracks ACROSS the lands and grooves (!). One in an X shape. I can only conclude that those were manufacturing or installation issues (it is a CZ 527 factory barrel - would have asked for a new one but that I did not have my bore scope at that time and it shot well in spite of it).
Applied the SnipeX as directed (not great instructions by the way, they need someone with better English skills to re-write them) which involves coating bore and bullet and firing same thirty times. I initially was concerned about pressure problems from having a gel substance in the bore and on the bullet but had no issues at all with normal handloads. In the end it did have a positive effect. The cracks and scratches were filled in to a degree with a brass colored coating that did not clean out with Sweet's 7.62. The bore was smoother and accuracy was every bit as good as ever. Time will tell how long it will last. The company says "at least 3000 rounds" but also says "reapply no less than once a year". No idea. I won't be using it on my match rifle barrels but for sporters I think it is worth your time to try it.
No, I have no connection with the company in any way.
Mike T.