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.

Thanks for all the input. I have shot this rifle 5 times now and totally cleaned it 4 times after shooting.. It takes me about 2hrs to clean it completely. I am a firm believer in fire lapping mass produced barrels that do not shoot as they should.. My accuracy is great at first but it seems to get worse as the round count progresses. This gun was purchased for the sole purpose of Lever Silhouette where I have to fire at least 40 rounds without cleaning.

My bore scope finally started working, I found out one of my plug ins went dead and it wasn't my scope. After looking at most of the bore it is obvious that the barrel needs to be replaced. There is chater through a lot of it and pits from machining through out. I will be sending back to Henry and hope they will make it right.

leverjc wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 9:10 pm

My bore scope finally started working, I found out one of my plug ins went dead and it wasn't my scope. After looking at most of the bore it is obvious that the barrel needs to be replaced. There is chater through a lot of it and pits from machining through out. I will be sending back to Henry and hope they will make it right.

That is discouraging.... do you have any borescope pictures to share?

John Davies
Spokane WA

Tried to get pics down loaded to my computer but couldn't make it work. I am tech illiterate but I will give it another try tomorrow.

I have what appears to be copper residue on and near loading gate on my h012mx. I am not sure about cleaning the area with a copper cleaner. Some copper cleaners also remove plastic. I believe just inside the loading gate is plastic.
Any experience or suggestions on removing this safely.

Jerrysea wrote: ↑

Tue May 26, 2020 9:04 am

I have what appears to be copper residue on and near loading gate on my h012mx. I am not sure about cleaning the area with a copper cleaner. Some copper cleaners also remove plastic. I believe just inside the loading gate is plastic.
Any experience or suggestions on removing this safely.

After writing this, I thought about ballistol. Read the can, removes traces of copper. Look up if safe for plastic. Yes for oil resistant plastic. Use it. It worked.
The only thing showing is a little wearing of finish on the door to the loading gate.

The chatter along this groove is like this for most of the length of the barrel. I believe this is the major cause of my copper build up problem. I don't think this will be taken care of by fire lapping or shooting a lot. I wish I could give you all a better pic but my bore cam is fairly cheap and the stored pics just don't give much clarity. It is hard to see the depth of the chatter but it is major.

leverjc wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 9:10 pm

My accuracy is great at first but it seems to get worse as the round count progresses. This gun was purchased for the sole purpose of Lever Silhouette where I have to fire at least 40 rounds without cleaning.

leverjc wrote: ↑

Thu May 28, 2020 8:33 pm

The chatter along this groove is like this for most of the length of the barrel. I believe this is the major cause of my copper build up problem.

completely agree that one needs to go back to Henry

Does anyone know if Henry fully manufactures these barrels, including the rifling? Or do they buy rifled blanks from a barrel manufacturer?

I have never understood why they seem unable to do special runs of guns, with different barrel lengths and profiles. I want a Single Shot in .327 Federal with a light 18” threaded barrel please....

John Davies
Spokane WA

They make their own barrels, John. This is a link to a factory tour courtesy of Plinkster22. Interesting peek inside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMNLa5wAsXM

John E Davies wrote: ↑

Fri May 29, 2020 9:55 pm

Does anyone know if Henry fully manufactures these barrels, including the rifling? Or do they buy rifled blanks from a barrel manufacturer?

After looking at my barrel I wish they had done more than a a safety and function check. Good video though.