Posted by bill in ny on February 11, 1999 at 19:23:12:
In Reply to: "Copper fouling" More like copper plating in my rem 700. posted by handy on February 11, 1999 at 15:41:33:
Could it be the rod you are using is not coated. Watch out for Shooters Choice or Sweets 7.62 with a brass rod that it doesn't give you false readings (color changes) on patch. What I've found works best is to take a clean cloth and wipe the rod after each pass. Unless you have a specific scope for reading bore condition you are probably using a Sc or Sweets patch method for determining copper. The biggest help that you can do is NOT to use a brass jag or holder. Brass also causes a reation like copper. In any event its best to wipe any jag or holder completely after a pass. But alas, tis true that Remington Barrels while accurate are rougher than others requiring a more detailed breakin than most. I don't think this barrel smooths out until at least a hundred has passed through it. Thats alot of cleanings above and beyond the normal breakin period!
When I got my first brand new VS last year I posted on this board then that I thought the barrel was too rough and the amount of copper that was in the barrel from thier test firings that I got out BEFORE firing the rifle for the first time. Unless you are a perfectionist and have unlimited funds use a strong cleaner like Sweets 7.62 or Shooters every five rounds or so for awhile just to hold fouling to a minimum and shoot the rifle and have fun. It'll eventually breakin, I hope :).