Bore trouble

[daschnoz]

Ok, I was a bad boy. Long story short, I left a M44 in the locker for about 2 years after shooting about 100 rounds of 150gr Czech silver tip through it, then not cleaning it.

The bore looks pretty bad. I know it may not be as accurate as it used to be, but is it still safe to shoot?

[knight0334]

Ok, I was a bad boy. Long story short, I left a M44 in the locker for about 2 years after shooting about 100 rounds of 150gr Czech silver tip through it, then not cleaning it.

The bore looks pretty bad. I know it may not be as accurate as it used to be, but is it still safe to shoot?

So long as you get any crust and buildup out of the bore it should be safe to shoot.

Did you inspect the chamber? Blow-by could have corroded the chamber too, which could be a final determining factor as to if it is safe to shoot.


EDIT: -crush, +crust

[Steve in PA]

I have a K98 Mauser in my C&R collectionsthat has, what they call in the business as a "frosted bore". I scrubbed the bore as best I could when I got it, but it is no where pristine. However, it still shoots like the dickens!!

[daschnoz]

So long as you get any crush and buildup out of the bore it should be safe to shoot.

Did you inspect the chamber? Blow-by could have corroded the chamber too, which could be a final determining factor as to if it is safe to shoot.

Please define crush.

[Hawk]

You may be able to clean it up. I bought a M1917 with a very dark bore (someone fired blanks in it and never cleaned it) it still shot very well. Anyways, after trying to clean up the bore with typical solvent and scrubbing it, the bore brightened up a considerable amount. Thinking this was the best I was going to get, I left it alone. A year or two later I tried some foaming bore scrubber. I was shocked how much additional gunk it removed, the bore now has a semi-mirror shine to it (I'm very happy).

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Case.../dp/B0014VVL6Q

Just follow the directions...

[Nate7667]

I would try some of your favorite solvent with a good bronze brush, follow that up with some dry patches, then some JB non-embedding bore compound to clean up what is left.
You can mix in some Kroil between the dry patch and JB and deff some type of oil after you're done. Or even use the Kroil instead of your solvent.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...ANING_COMPOUND

[daschnoz]

I would try some of your favorite solvent with a good bronze brush, follow that up with some dry patches, then some JB non-embedding bore compound to clean up what is left.
You can mix in some Kroil between the dry patch and JB and deff some type of oil after you're done. Or even use the Kroil instead of your solvent.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...ANING_COMPOUND

That's basically what I did - including the JB stuff. I think I'll look for the foaming bore cleaner and give it another good cleaning, then take it to the range and see what it does at the other end.

[Karl/PA]

Pick up a can of Ballistol. You'll be surprised at the crud that will come out, even now.

[kunsunoke]

Nevr-Dull also works well - cans are available at Wal-Mart for around five bucks.

[Nate7667]

hhmm i use that on my exhaust on my bike. never even thought about trying it on a cruddy bore.