Carbon buildup in barrel

[Sefuller5741]

I have recently realized I am getting quite a bit of carbon buildup in the barrel of my Walther PDP, shooting Hi-Tek coated bullets over a few different powders. The buildup can occur with as few as 10-20 rounds, and is extremely difficult to remove. I am buying bullets from two different vendors and have the same issue with both. I have tried bullets sized up to 358 (barrel slugs at 355) which seemed to create less buildup, but it was a small sampling. The buildup generally occurs through the entire length of the barrel, although it seemed with the 358 sized bullets the buildup was concentrated more toward the muzzle as opposed to the entire length, but again it was a pretty small sample to be conclusive. I have tried almost every conceivable means to remove the carbon, and it can take hours to get it all out - and I am not 100% sure I have ever removed all of it. Lapping compound is about the only thing that will remove the majority of it. I have tried overnight soaks in Kroil, Slip 2000, and even CLR, which btw removes all the finish from the barrel. I have used brushes and patches with 0000 steel wool and/or copper chore boys wrapped around them, neither of which have any affect on the carbon. I can scrape it off with a pick, but it is a tedious prospect and nearly impossible to get all of it. I have tried N320, HP-38 and Clays for powder, and I generally load between starting load and mid-load. I have a PPQ with an identical barrel which carbons up similarly. I have been crimping only to remove any remaining bell, and have gotten the suggestion to try a tighter crimp, which I have not had an opportunity to do yet. My enthusiasm for further testing is greatly diminished by the amount of time it takes to get the barrel clean. Looking for any suggestions - what works to remove carbon, and what other steps may eliminate the carbon buildup I am getting?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Some of that carbon is quite hard to get out, I use stainless steel brushes on my Ruger GP100 barrel but the forcing cone is burned out of it anyways so I didn't care if it scratched the bore up.
The thing is, since I started using the ss brushes in it I haven't had as hard of a time cleaning them. They also don't scratch up the barrel like they are said to do.
My GP100 barrel has a nice fine polished bore and no matter how hard I scrub the bore with that stainless brush, it just stay a nice polished bore.
You could try one of them. https://www.brownells.com/gun-clean...ne-stainless-steel-bore-brushes-prod1283.aspx
Brass brushes are just to soft dig that stuff out of there.

 

[Blue68f100]

Butches Bore cleaner (comes in a glass jar) is the best I've found for chemically removing fouling. Once clean, I would use use Bore paste and lap the barrel and see if I could smooth the roughness out.

 

[tominboise]

Your problem sounds weird to me but then one learns something new everyday. Do you have a borescope? I have migrated to using Boretech C4 carbon cleaner for my guns. It works pretty well. Also, scrubbing with a bronze brush. Cleaning while the fouling is warm, preferably, or before it has a chance to age harden in the barrel also seems to help. So cleaning as soon as practical after shooting is good practice.
For severe cases of carbon fouling, I use JB bore paste and give it 10-20 passes, then clean and soak with C4, then repeat. Since I bought a borescope, I am better informed about the condition of my barrels.

 

[Skgreen]

Polygonal rifling and coated lead don't always play well together in my PPQ. Try some plated or FMJ bullets and see if the problem persists

 

[9mmepiphany]

shooting Hi-Tek coated bullets over a few different powders. The buildup can occur with as few as 10-20 rounds, and is extremely difficult to remove. I am buying bullets from two different vendors and have the same issue with both.

If you're going to shoot a pistol with ploygonal rifling, you really should, at least, start out with jacketed bullets...it will have much more effect than the powder used; at least you're not using Titegroup.

To see what your pistol is capable of, I'd suggest you take a look at the Rocky Mountain Reloading 124gr Matchwinners. They are only about 10 cents a bullet and that price includes shipping.

There is currently an 8% discount for the holiday using the code: HOLDONTOHOPE. I do highly recommend that you take their No Hassle Shipping Insurance

 

[Ru4real]

Are you sure it’s carbon? Or is it lead build up?

Carbon I can get out with a few passes of solvent. Lead requires more work, different solvents and more abrasive scrubbing like brass wool chore boy.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Are you sure it’s carbon? Or is it lead build up?

That is my thought also, but the answer is still the same....use jacketed bullets with polygonal rifled barrels

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

To see what your pistol is capable of, I'd suggest you take a look at the Rocky Mountain Reloading 124gr Matchwinners. They are only about 10 cents a bullet and that price includes shipping.

Do this ^^^^. RMR 124gr FMJ-TC. Cheaper than most high quality coated and flat based.

 

[mdi]

Are you sure it’s carbon? Or is it lead build up?

My thinking too, or maybe Hi-Tek fouling? I've used plain lead and PCing in my Masada w/poly rifling, not much fouling but I go at least .002"+ "groove" diameter...

 

[Dudedog]

Since I bought a borescope, I am better informed about the condition of my barrels.

George Orwell was right "ignorance is bliss"

After getting a borescope and looking at my "clean" barrels my bliss quotient dropped......

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I don't need a bore scope. My bliss quotient is just fine where it is.

 

[Bfh_auto]

George Orwell was right "ignorance is bliss"

After getting a borescope and looking at my "clean" barrels my bliss quotient dropped......

Or use it to show you how dirty and rough a barrel can be and still perform up to your standards.
I like one for cleaning before switching to lead bullets. Then I patch it with bullet lube before shooting lead.
My 300 WM barrel has the worst chatter marks I've seen. But it still shoots MOA. I wouldn't have the rifle if I had seen the barrel before hand. But I don't care since it performs well.