Henry Rifle Forums

After firing 30 rnds through my BBS I went to clean it. Cleaning this gun is a real chore. Before I took these pics I had run 4 or 5 patches through it while using a brush with each one. Then I ran pro shot copper solvent through it brushing with a nylon brush.each time. This is what it took to get the copper out after 30 shots.

Does anybody else having these problems?

Your picture didn't come through so really can't say.
Jake

Had to rotate the pic.

what caliber BBS .. .. some barrels are more prone to copper or lead buildups than others .... some tend to smooth out and the buildups grow less

How hard is it to drive a really tight patch through the bore? If there is one or more tight spots you will get fouling. Fire lapping is messy and tedious, but can work wonders in these situations.

I fire lapped a Marlin1895 with tight spots at the two dovetail slots. After 40 Lapping bullets the groups were tighter, the muzzle velocity was higher with less spread, the recoil seemed a little less and it was dead easy to clean. If done correctly It is not snake oil.

John Davies
Spokane WA

Knowing nothing about fire lapping, I went looking. I found http://www.lasc.us/bellmFirelappingBarrels.htm

Food for thought.

leverjc wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 9:02 pm

After firing 30 rnds through my BBS I went to clean it. Cleaning this gun is a real chore. Before I took these pics I had run 4 or 5 patches through it while using a brush with each one. Then I ran pro shot copper solvent through it brushing with a nylon brush.each time. This is what it took to get the copper out after 30 shots.

Does anybody else having these problems?

A shiny barrel is not always a better barrel. This came up in another thread a couple years ago, but rather than forcing you to read thru that, I'll just say that some fouling is usually better for accuracy and consistency, than too little or too much. What you are looking for is that sweet spot called "Equilibrium". Suggest you review Parts 37 and subsequent of the video series you'll find here for the details.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... vDCIcEPxUn.

I dont worry to much about copper in the barrel unless the accuracy of the gun is suffering.

Every couple of thousand rounds I use J-B's and if that doesn't do it I'll use the Lewis Lead Remover. It'll get out the copper as well.
https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning- ... d1160.aspx
https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning- ... 20823.aspx
Jake

When I first got mine (2017), I was surprised about the copper buildup. I cleaned it before I even shot it. It even went back to Henry for a cleaning and came back, pretty much, the same way. So, I used some copper cleaner and got it shiny. Now, I just clean it, until a light bluing is on the cleaning cloth. I figure that what is left may allow the bullet to travel smoother. If accuracy get worse, I will remove more copper.