my newest rifle is a rem 700 7-08 i've had it about a year now. when i first got it it fouled terribly, one shot after cleaning i could see copper in the barrel... did the break in thing and it was still fouling badly. i didnt mind cause its accurate as hell. anyhow i used to clean it after every 3-4 shots or so but i left it for around 40 rounds and today i ran some sweets down the barrel and the patch came out clean! no blue on it at all. i can't see any copper in the barrel either! wat the hell? unless the rifle cleaning fairy paid me a visit last night or i've been cleaning it in my sleep? otherwise i can't explain it but at the same time i'm not complaining.

I have had barrels get better. One in particular after applying several sessions with JB paste ala Mule Deer's procedure--several meaning about seven. It was such a PITA copper producer I almost had it rebarreled. It still shoots, too.

But before you get carried away rejoicing, try another dose of Sweets to make sure...

I like the JB paste as well. It did seem to give me more consistancy. I thought I ahad cleaned the pizz out of my barrel until someone shined a light down it and pointed out all the copper that remained. The past cured that and I am pleased with the results.

Mr. Kiwi,

With most factory barrels I have found that some number of shots, say 100 for a round number, are needed before the barrels smooth up for easy cleaning. My Steyr barrels though didn't need this.

Custom barrels such as Shilen, Douglas and Lothar-Walther seem smooth enough even when new.

I like to check barrels outside in direct sunlight because it will show all the nuances of color that might be present.

jim

I just shoot and let the rifle TELL me it requires maintenance.

"Seeing" copper is a non-concern,while loss of accuracy rates a grave concern,as per my train of thought.

My focus is on the stuff that matters,not the stuff that don't. Case in point being 700rds through the Titanium now,less a single bore stroke. I hasty fired a 3rd burst yesterday at 675yds at a 2MOA gong and all three were comfortably inside that dimension. COMFORTABLY.

Newest Mike Rock barreled 308 is now a touch over 200 175gr SMK's through it's bore,less a brush stroke and was still shooting into the "nothin's" as of yesterday afternoon.

And yes...I can "see stuff" in both bores...................

NZ;

Won't dispute what 'Stick is saying, as he probably sends more rounds downrange via more vehicles than most of the rest of us combined in any given year.

What you might have is a bore that's basically fire-lapped by now; i.e. those rounds down the tube have smoothed out the roughspots in the factory bore, and "stuff" just doesn't stick to it like it used to because all the "sticky" spots are now polished smooth.

Hey, I'll never complain about a rifle that gets more accurate, or easier to clean, every time I shoot it. I wish all my rifles did that trick.

yea i agree with ya it most likely has smoothed itself out. i can see how it would have done it if i was still cleaning every 4 shots and did it gradually it's just strange how it went from foulzilla one minute then 40 rounds later it's frickin clean. you'd think the copper build up after the first 4 or so shots would prevent any more smoothing... it's like th� bullets cleaned the barrel lol.

i hear ya Stick, from now on she ain't gonna see a cleaning rod untill groups open up which may be some time. i think she likes it dirty <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Have yet to own a tube that gave it's best accounting of itself,when in bare metal pristine bore condition.

Dirt don't hurt......................

Ya just gotta love those... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'm writing a book on Stick, man you have the best sayings......reminds me of ole Yogi Berra.