There you go, that was easy enough wasn’t it, 
Loss of accuracy after cleaning
- Thread starter Ttocs
- Start date
Apparently not...There you go, that was easy enough wasn’t it,
The continued debate on JB Compound forced this post. I use it after total de coppering and my round count after hard use shooting sage rats is more or less 500 shots. JB and 5 passes to smooth rough throats. Some of my barrels want a fouling to group and at the point of impact as zeroed, others don't. I have seen barrels that nothing would clean other than JB Compound and very high number of passes. Each barrel is law unto its self, Imo do what the barrel wants.
dropmdead
Well-Known Member
I kinda stumbled on the JB paste part of the post after ready the woes of the inaccuracies of the chap's rifle.
Interesting thoughts behind the JB paste - is it good or bad etc?
My thoughts - (feel free to knock me down in flames please)
It's a polish, so in a pedantic sense it does remove metal. As for how much compared to a high pressure flame and a bullet passing through the barrel, I can't really say.
Has anyone actually done measurement say everything 100 passed for example? This may give insight and instructions to the lesser aware...
I suppose that like in the car body paint refining business, they are knocking off the orange peel, and polishing the imperfections, all the way up to 8,000 grade abrasive. Thing is, most barrels prefer a "textured" finish (take this phrase how you want...but I am suggesting smooth to a non mirror finish) over a mirror finish which I would think is not ideal..
As a last suggestion, the product is used highly in the bench rest fraternity to maintain their accuracy, but this has a different mindset to stalking, and this being a stalking page, for stalkers with stalking rifles...
Interesting thoughts behind the JB paste - is it good or bad etc?
My thoughts - (feel free to knock me down in flames please)
It's a polish, so in a pedantic sense it does remove metal. As for how much compared to a high pressure flame and a bullet passing through the barrel, I can't really say.
Has anyone actually done measurement say everything 100 passed for example? This may give insight and instructions to the lesser aware...
I suppose that like in the car body paint refining business, they are knocking off the orange peel, and polishing the imperfections, all the way up to 8,000 grade abrasive. Thing is, most barrels prefer a "textured" finish (take this phrase how you want...but I am suggesting smooth to a non mirror finish) over a mirror finish which I would think is not ideal..
As a last suggestion, the product is used highly in the bench rest fraternity to maintain their accuracy, but this has a different mindset to stalking, and this being a stalking page, for stalkers with stalking rifles...
I used JB bore paste to remove decades of fouling in my badly neglected BSA Hunter in .222 (the trigger had been set so that the bolt could not be removed). It removing the fouling and despite the middle third of the barrel having been so badly pitted due to the fouling that it lacks rifling, it now shoots groups like this at 600yds:
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I tend to clean my .204 every box of 50 rounds. Bore foam scrubbed with Bore Tech nylon brush. Patch out then use bore tech ellimator. I fire a couple of fouling shots out of athe cleaned dry barrel.
I had a very similar problem to you in unexplainable misses. I have a N470S on my .204 and the centre bore to centre scope is 77 mm so needed a check riser. I made a temporary foam one but its not stable enough so resorted to making a permant one. Accuracy transformed.
D
I had a very similar problem to you in unexplainable misses. I have a N470S on my .204 and the centre bore to centre scope is 77 mm so needed a check riser. I made a temporary foam one but its not stable enough so resorted to making a permant one. Accuracy transformed.
D
Pellet Pinger
Well-Known Member
Any updates bud?
TomTalks
Well-Known Member
Everyone has their own thoughts on what is right or not (For them).
It also depends on the rifle.
For me! I had my Tikka .308 rifling/bore professionally polished.
It zeroed fine.
Groups sub 1" at 100 yards every time, I check zero before every stalk.
Every time I go stalking, the .308 bore started spotless and has fired no more than six rounds.
Same routine, same positive results.
Cleaning regime consists of:
Overnight acid cleaner after each outing, muzzle down of course.
No abrasive jag is ever passed through the barrel, only a subsequent cloth to mop out the crud, then an oil mop.
Still hyper-accurate, still super clean.
Works for me, but I do appreciate getting lots of lead down a barrel works for other folks too.
I let the barrel foul, on my Sako .243, that works too.
Whatever increases your confidence, is always the right thing.
It also depends on the rifle.
For me! I had my Tikka .308 rifling/bore professionally polished.
It zeroed fine.
Groups sub 1" at 100 yards every time, I check zero before every stalk.
Every time I go stalking, the .308 bore started spotless and has fired no more than six rounds.
Same routine, same positive results.
Cleaning regime consists of:
Overnight acid cleaner after each outing, muzzle down of course.
No abrasive jag is ever passed through the barrel, only a subsequent cloth to mop out the crud, then an oil mop.
Still hyper-accurate, still super clean.
Works for me, but I do appreciate getting lots of lead down a barrel works for other folks too.
I let the barrel foul, on my Sako .243, that works too.
Whatever increases your confidence, is always the right thing.
Ttocs
Well-Known Member
Quick update. I’ve removed the NV and fitted a 5-25 mag day scope. I’ve shot 2 3 shot groups so far leaving the rifle several days between groups. Both groups are <1/2”. It’s not conclusive yet, as I’d like to shoot a couple more groups, but it’s looking like the problem was cleaning the rifle and a developing accuracy issue with my NV scope. I’ve not been able to identify an issue with the scope so looks like I’ll be sending it of for a checkup whilst I continue to shoot verification test groups with the day scope fitted. What actuallt counts is a consistent first shot from a cold bore, but it’s reassuring to get a group, this tells me any follow up shots will also find their mark.
Cheers
N
Cheers
N
I’ve been watching this thread with interest.
Pleased to see it looks like you’re on the way to resolving it.
It just goes to show, we all need to follow a systematic approach to problem solving, it’s all to easy to jump to conclusions. Unfortunately I have to admit to being just as guilty as the next.
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Ttocs
Well-Known Member
Hi David N, short answer yes! Long answer is the accuracy problem following cleaning slowly resolved itself, unfortunately a developing scope mount issue masked the rifles recovery. This was identified by swapping the scope. The rifle is back to 100y groups in a hole 8mm in diameter; I’m a happy man again.
Cheers
N
Cheers
N
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Rifle barrels can’t read so they don’t know how to behave. And they are all individuals.
my view. If you are using the rifle several times a week - don’t worry, as not a lot of time for corrosion to take hold.
if, like many on here, it may be a few weeks before you are next out, then run a patch or three with bore cleaner and then oil so that there is no fouling and bore is protected for the period its not used. Do make a point of checking them a few days after they have been put way - a bit of moisture can get trapped and start a rust spot.
I run my rifles clean and they all shoot accurately enough for me with first shot from a cold barrel going to point of aim.
my view. If you are using the rifle several times a week - don’t worry, as not a lot of time for corrosion to take hold.
if, like many on here, it may be a few weeks before you are next out, then run a patch or three with bore cleaner and then oil so that there is no fouling and bore is protected for the period its not used. Do make a point of checking them a few days after they have been put way - a bit of moisture can get trapped and start a rust spot.
I run my rifles clean and they all shoot accurately enough for me with first shot from a cold barrel going to point of aim.
Woodsmoke
Well-Known Member
There's 'maintaining', and there's 'obsessing'. None of my four rifles have ever had their bores 'cleaned' (one of which I bought used eight years ago) All shoot better than I can, and all have superb bores. My latest rifle is around 50 years old and the bore recently got an 8/10 after being scoped (not by me, I hasten to add!) In my view, the best way to maintain your rifle barrel is just to use it as intended
Having said that, my only experience is with hunting rifles, and each gets a boresnake pulled through after each use. Target rifles may be an entirely different kettle of fish . . . . . .
PieterMalan
New Member
I know it's been like 2 years since you've made this post so hope you're still here
Just out of curiosity, as a fellow overzealous bore scrubber
how many rounds of ammo did it take to remedy the issue ? I'm currently on about an inch sized group after about 80 rounds through the barrel ( which if I might add I've always kept pretty clean but went full psyco a week ago with some copper solvent )Groups went from 1/4 inch any day of the week to about 4 inches after my recent laps in judgment(I have done all the necessary tests like checking that everything is still on right and replaced the rifle scope as a precaution) . Good news is that my groups are closing up again but feels like it's taking way too long and way too much ammo !
Ttocs
Well-Known Member
Yes, still here, alive and kicking. If memory serves me correctly, at least 60 may be 70 rounds before it was back to normal. Ive refitted the NV scope and it behaving it’s self so I can only conclude it was the cleaning - it’s the last time I’ll put a brush and solvent near that barrel.
it’s an expansive and time consuming problem I don’t want to repeat. Hope yours gets back to 1/4” soon.
Cheers
N
it’s an expansive and time consuming problem I don’t want to repeat. Hope yours gets back to 1/4” soon.
Cheers
N
You cannot replicate state of dirty ! When you clean two things occur 1. you remove muck " including copper " 2. you put the rifle in a state that is repeatable for next time
if you dont fully clean it can effect accuracy and zero , you are not repeating anything then!
copper and other muck in a barrel traps moisture causing corrosion pitting ! In a bad case it will take a few shots to settle down
I would personally clean back to metal and use a specialist copper remover after and dont stop until the blue disapears on the patches Bore tech can be left in the bore to achieve this ( some others are too aggressive to leave )
Failing that shoot it till its really crudy again , you will spend less time cleaning but get less accurate life out of your barrel
if you dont fully clean it can effect accuracy and zero , you are not repeating anything then!
copper and other muck in a barrel traps moisture causing corrosion pitting ! In a bad case it will take a few shots to settle down
I would personally clean back to metal and use a specialist copper remover after and dont stop until the blue disapears on the patches Bore tech can be left in the bore to achieve this ( some others are too aggressive to leave )
Failing that shoot it till its really crudy again , you will spend less time cleaning but get less accurate life out of your barrel
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