30's Mk.VII ball strange fouling

[Danus ex]

While shooting my 1950 Long Branch for the first time (using 30's Mk.VII from Samco), I noticed a drastic shift in POI about halfway through the day that I couldn't explain. After cleaning the bore, I now find this strange fouling about two inches from the crown down:

What will it take to get THIS out? It wasn't there before I started shooting.

 

[Jim Watson]

I think it is hard metal fouling from cupro nickel jacketed bullets driven over 2000 fps. At least that was reported as troublesome in 1903 Springfields of the era. Hatcher's Notebook describes the very harsh cleaning methods used at the time. I would try something modern with a lot of ammonia like Sweets. Less risk to the barrel.

 

[Mk VII]

It looks like nickel fouling. There are/were various preparations for removing it like CuNiRid or Safetipaste. We seldom hear of nickel fouling these days as so little of that type of bullet is used now

 

[Danus ex]

It looks like nickel fouling. There are/were various preparations for removing it like CuNiRid or Safetipaste. We seldom hear of nickel fouling these days as so little of that type of bullet is used now

Huh I find very little information about removing nickel and cupro-nickel fouling, other than people saying "it used to be a problem". Consequently, I can't find any firearms cleaning products that attack nickel directly.

Repeated cleanings with Wipe-Out foam and GM Top Engine Cleaner (my two nastiest cleaners) don't make a dent. Any idea what dissolves nickel that's safe in my bore?

 

[texfed]

Why don't you try Sweet's 7.62 . That stuff takes out most copper fouling! I tried a sample of Wipe out...I wasn't impressed.

 

[Mk VII]

the Outers Foul Out device, or homemade copy thereof, might be appropriate

 

[Jeff F]

Get after it with Sweet's and a brush, it will come out. I had the same fouling after some British RG .303 that had the silver bullets.