Gunsmithing Rust Pitted Barrel Question

[mdesign]

Bought a 30-06 rifle today at an auction because it was worth the money and bore scoped it when I got home. The throat looks good but the barrel got some rust pitting.

Never worked with a pitted barrel before, any chance it will shoot okay? Wondering how big of an effect on accuracy pitting has or is it more of a fouling issue?

 

[Jerry m]

Re: Rust Pitted Barrel Question

Clean it with a brush through the bore a couple time. Dry it out and shoot it. You will find out quick.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[lightman]

Re: Rust Pitted Barrel Question

I've shot some old Springfields with pitted barrels that shot might well.You may be suprised,but the proof will be the target.Good Luck with it, Pete

 

[Bugholes]

Re: Rust Pitted Barrel Question

probably will foul worse than it should but could shoot fine depending on the severity of the pitting and whether the crown is good or not. I chambered and shot a barrel that sections of rifling were destroyed by the drilling/reaming process before rifling and it shot good. This was a custom barrel. gotta go shoot it to see...

 

[mdesign]

Re: Rust Pitted Barrel Question

I've seen worse for pitting but the crown is good and the chamber reasonable straight. Be interesting to see how it shoots. Maybe this weekend if I can get out of work with enough time.

 

[Jim See]

Re: Rust Pitted Barrel Question

don't bother cleaning out the copper. been there done that.

it will foul bad but once the pitts start to fill in with copper it will shoot better.

I cleaned one spotless and it shot 8" groups at 100 yards after about 20 rounds it went down to 2".