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finicky barrel
@ 05:47 am (GMT) |
Oliver Rauit is the rifle, this story started with.a Winchester Xtreme weather 300 Win mag. it was finicky quite from the start. a one time 3-shot group of half moa at 330y wih hornady factory ammo, but that was it. From there on groups from 1-2 moa. i thought i have had it and sought to find it again. read all of Nathan's work, started reloading, even bedded the rifle with much sweat. after many, many rounds i found a quarter moa load (sometines). at that point i only knew the barrel was a fast fouler, 3 foulers and i was good to go? further testing revealed that peak accuracy was pretty short 2-3 shots, then groups opened up again and POI wandered as well, around 3moa. no good for hunting. so i did the scotch brite treatment (maroon) after a thorough clean, still some of the copper remained mostly at the muzzle. this seems to be what Nathan describes as plasma deposits, pretty stubborn. the patch took care of it. but accuracy and POI change still is not satisfactory. first of 3 is always an outlier deep left. next 2 about 0.7moa apart and center still changing. repeated 3 times, no cleaning between. inspecting the barrel after 8 shots revealed astonishing little copper fouling. a liitle in parts of some grooves and some edges between lands and grooves seem to have rough spots still where copper accumulates. but altogether pretty little compared to before, even stripping of with a cleaner which has proven not to be aggressive against copper/brass. so now i am wondering do i need more fouling for the barrel to settle in? i mean my trg takes 30 shots after thorough cleaning, but that is a 308 and no magnum. OR do i have to repeat the job? any answer is highly appreciated as this rifle seems to be the last of its kind (here in europe). kind regards Olli |
Replies
@ 06:38 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: finicky barrelHi Olli. It sounds as though the book instructions worked. A note to others - these methods are also shown in trouble shooting videohttps://www.ballisticstudies.com/shop/Video+Learning/m700.html Leave it at that for now. It sounds as though it is not producing a high level of copper fouling, leaving at least a small window for load investigation. One factor I have learned through ongoing R&D on this subject, is that the key word is resistance. I believe what we are looking for is consistent resistance so that the bullet does not experience significant harmonic changes as the bullet traverses the bore. If resistance continually increases, the harmonics continue to change. If there is very little resistance, we can run into problems relating to the coefficient of friction (as related in the books). What I have found, is that the sweet spot (grit size of bore finish) is a relatively small window so once we get into the ball park so to speak, it can pay to avoid any further major changes. Harmonics is of course an issue with any light barrel, especially if running a potent cartridge. The Extreme has the additional problem of having a fluted barrel - so much so that it may eventually swell within the fluted section. For this next phase, I suggest that you remain focused on harmonics but rather than focusing on altering the rate of fouling, look toward load development. You may have to back off loads a bit. For example, you might want to try experimenting with a soft heavy high BC projectile travelling at about 2650fps. I know this sounds very slow but it may help offset any stress within the bore while the low pressures may also help the barrel last a little longer (minimize swelling). This is about as far as I will advise on a public forum without having the rifle in hand (not having all the facts) to inspect for myself. |
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@ 09:18 am (GMT) |
Oliver RauRe: finicky barreldear Nathan, i owe you some report back. sorry for the late, but it took me some time to evaluate the "new" barrel.first i saw a decrease in velocity around 40-50 fps. both with factory and reloads. soon after your your reply the factory load settled to a remarkable 0.7 MOA (sometimes better). i can not tell whether it is from getting closer to a lower node or the better barrel finish, but wow at least a twofold increase in accuracy. my own load took a bit longer. short version: after finding out, that i need two foulers (first is 3-4 MOA down and left, second comes closer) i had to change my shooting regime. 2+2 instead of a 3 shot string. i increased the charge by 0.4gr, speed is still somewhat lower at around 2875fps with a debatable SD of 20. Pressure still seems to be somewhat lower, according to only mild primer cratering. now the good news 3x 2shot groups of 0.2-0.3 MOA. for sure a third shot will open up the group to 0.7, but i think in truth this is a 2 shot rifle and that is all it should take.anyway maybe i am not a that straight shot, my POA itself seems to have an SD of 0.5MOA between days (but i hope this is an absolute which will not get to inches with distance). the barrel seems much smoother than before, only a few spots where there is still copper visible, after cleaning without a dedicated copper solvent (some ballistol stuff). one spot within the last few inches of the barrel seems to still catch some copper, spreading it an inch or two within that groove, but i won't go over again. the longer version of the story, i thought i could get away without further cleaning. it is not that i hate cleaning, but i hate wasting barrel life and precious bullets (which might be the last to obtain, lead ban is lurking in Europe) for foulers. and i love my rifles to be ready for the hunt, next range is half an hour one way. strictly stainless, unless shotgun, combined or lever, i never had trouble with rust. my home is usually less than 60 percent humidity. those blued can show rust within half a day in the rain, but i try to keep the inside of the barrel dry. alas, in this case the combo picks up carbon in the throat increasing pressure and velocity, so i had to adjust my load back and forth likewise. so for now i think job is done with success. rifle now has 5 foulers through. and will get stowed away, awaiting next hunting season. maybe it will get some flush cups someday and i have ti consider FL sizing. chambering gets a little tight at 2-3 reloads. as close as i can measure headspace is still ok (1-1.5 thou), the problem should be above the belt. anyway, job completed with great success. i thankfully appreciate your help and your time. all the best to you and your family, may the Almighty bless you. Oliver |
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@ 07:38 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: finicky barrelHi Oliver, thank you for writing the update and for your kind words and blessings.That is a good improvement and throughout this it looks like you have gained a realistic understanding of how the rifle will behave in the field. Even at the full .7 MOA and with an ES of 20fps, the rifle will be capable of anchoring game at extended ranges. Again, a good result considering the weight of the rifle versus the calibre. |
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