Corrosion on crown

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Hello hello,

I've a Tikka T3x for 3 years now. I don't shoot a lot of bullets as it is a stalking rifle. Less than 10 a year. In-between outings, I run an oiled mop down the barrel (stored with mod removed) and then at the end of the season I clean it with oiled patches. No solvents used.

Today I noticed some corrosion on the crown of the rifle. Is this an issue or normal wear? Is this something that could cause a drop in accuracy? I haven't had a problem zeroing. I might not be sub MOA but that's probably user error rather than rifle.

Any tips or advice will be appreciated

 

[NP435]

All you need is a more frequent oil patch interval after season and perhaps during season and some oil cotton swabs in the threaded area.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

All you need is a more frequent oil patch interval after season and perhaps during season and some oil cotton swabs in the threaded area.

Thank, it's not actually on any of the rifling. Just on the bit between the two edges. I think it should be okay. If there a way of removing it without removing the blueing? I've heard some fine steel wool works

 

[bullet chucker]

Try a little metal polish first,When you try steel wool use a fine grade with oil on it to reduce the abrasiveness.

BC.

 

[Selous]

I had something similar that reduced an accurate rifle to a nauseating shotgun. The barrel was shortened and rethreaded by Ronin and it is back on form now as the pictures show

 

[VSS]

Hello hello,

I've a Tikka T3x for 3 years now. I don't shoot a lot of bullets as it is a stalking rifle. Less than 10 a year. In-between outings, I run an oiled mop down the barrel (stored with mod removed) and then at the end of the season I clean it with oiled patches. No solvents used.

Today I noticed some corrosion on the crown of the rifle. Is this an issue or normal wear? Is this something that could cause a drop in accuracy? I haven't had a problem zeroing. I might not be sub MOA but that's probably user error rather than rifle.

Any tips or advice will be appreciated

View attachment 228158
View attachment 228157

It certainly looks a bit agricultural. That photo could just as easily be a part off my tractor.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

View attachment 228185View attachment 228186View attachment 228187I had something similar that reduced an accurate rifle to a nauseating shotgun. The barrel was shortened and rethreaded by Ronin and it is back on form now as the pictures show

Oh no, your bad groups are about what I'm getting at 100 meters. I've shot clover leaf patterns before with this gun. I thought it was user error but maybe not so much now.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

It certainly looks a bit agricultural.

That doesn't sound good

 

[finnbear270]

I store all my rifles cleaned & dry patched, in a regulated atmosphere ... Oil is hygroscopic and not a defence against rust over long periods.

 

[bluesako]

oil isnt used for cleaning barrells you need solvents? bs

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

oil isnt used for cleaning barrells you need solvents? bs

I still use solvents, just not everytime I put the rifle away. I was told to just use oil as I didn't shoot enough to warrant a full solvent clean every time

 

[Sinistral]

I don't use moderators at all, so am inclined to think this can only be residual moisture. With your cleaning method I'd be surprised if rust wasn't also in the rifling too, even if the bore looks bright. Probably too late to fix now, but it wouldn't have happened if the rifle was cleaned every time with a solvent, and then dry-patched. Solvents are actually worse than oil for absorbing water.
Just firing one shot deposits burnt powder and moisture in the barrel. The next shot blasts the fouling out, and promptly replaces it. I've got into the habit of swabbing and brushing the barrel out same day, without fail. Tedious but necessary, as my rifles were very hard to come by. I realise this regime isn't for everyone.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I don't use moderators at all, so am inclined to think this can only be residual moisture. With your cleaning method I'd be surprised if rust wasn't also in the rifling too, even if the bore looks bright. Probably too late to fix now, but it wouldn't have happened if the rifle was cleaned every time with a solvent, and then dry-patched. Solvents are actually worse than oil for absorbing water.
Just firing one shot deposits burnt powder and moisture in the barrel. The next shot blasts the fouling out, and promptly replaces it. I've got into the habit of swabbing and brushing the barrel out same day, without fail. Tedious but necessary, as my rifles were very hard to come by. I realise this regime isn't for everyone.

Thanks for the reply, I might use this situation to put an aftermarket barrel and stock on it

 

[finnbear270]

Thanks for the reply, I might use this situation to put an aftermarket barrel and stock on it

I would get it re crowned first.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I would get it re crowned first.

Do they need to remove much of the barrel? Inside looks fine, the rust seems to only be on the crown. Can they remove a mil or two or do they need to cut an inch and start from scratch?

 

[finnbear270]

Do they need to remove much of the barrel? Inside looks fine, the rust seems to only be on the crown. Can they remove a mil or two or do they need to cut an inch and start from scratch?

The minimum small amount needed by a skilled Gunsmith, or the minimum dictated by any corrosion within the barrel.

 

[muddy42]

Do they need to remove much of the barrel? Inside looks fine, the rust seems to only be on the crown. Can they remove a mil or two or do they need to cut an inch and start from scratch?

Yes a skilled gunsmith could only remove a mil or so to remove the damage.

 

[gixer1]

View attachment 228185View attachment 228186View attachment 228187I had something similar that reduced an accurate rifle to a nauseating shotgun. The barrel was shortened and rethreaded by Ronin and it is back on form now as the pictures show

This is interesting as they recently did a vid on fieldsports channel where the hacksaws the barrel and redid the crown and it still shot ok…

 

[muddy42]

I wouldn't re-crown unless accuracy is affected. As well as oiling the outside and inside of the barrel, I think it is importance to wipe the forward facing metal. This gets quite dirty when a moderator is fitted and is easy to overlook. If you do that from now onwards, you should be OK.

 

[bluesako]

as above said i would also check the fit of your mod and try some jb paste in your barrell it works wonders at getting crud out atb bs