Garand & Copper Fouling Question

[Welding Rod]

I have a CMP Springfield Special that came with the Criterion barrel.

After about 1,000 rounds of match shooting I decided it might be a good idea to clean the barrel.

I normally pass 2 or 3 patches well soaked in Break Free CLP down the bore after shooting, to prevent rust. Before shooting I pass 2 or 3 dry patches down the bore to remove any excess oil. These dry patches usually have a very small amount of blue on them.

That is all I do.

I figured I must have some copper that could stand to be cleaned out. Last night I followed the directions for Break Free Foaming bore cleaner. I applied it twice. No blue on the patches.

So I tried Tetra Copper Cutter (ammonia based I think), and same deal, no blue.

So it seems either I have a real smooth barrel, BF CLP is actually a pretty good copper cutter, PTFE keeps copper from sticking much, and/or the copper bore cleaners I used don't work very well.

Any insight?

 

[gpb]

I’ve had a similar experience with my Criterion barrel. I installed a new Criterion barrel on a 03A3. I had about 50 rounds through it and decided to clean it for the first time after shooting. I typically use Hoppe’s No. 9. While it’s slow, it does get the job done eventually and it doesn’t risk damage to the barrel.

As usual, I wetted the bore using a nylon brush and No. 9 and let it sit a couple of hours. I then pushed a patch through and got a small amount of green. I repeated the patches until there was no trace of green and they came out dry. I then repeated the nylon brush and Hoppe’s No. 9 soaking of the bore. Again, I waited a few hours and pushed a patch through. This time there was no trace of green.

I have shot the rifle and repeated the cleaning procedure a couple of times since. And I always have the same result, minimal copper that cleans out very easily.

I have never seen a center fire barrel that copper fouls as little as this barrel and cleans as easily. I’ve owned several brands of center fire rifles ranging from military to commercial. This Criterion shows the least amount of copper fouling and cleans the easiest of any of the ones I’ve owned.

Without a bore scope I can only speculate that it must be an exceptional smooth bore.

 

[velocette]

Not surprising, Criterion barrels are made by Krieger.

Roger

 

[jr_roosa]

I have a Springfield special grade too with the criterion barrel. Mine takes four or five patches with sweets copper solvent to get all the blue out after a match. Takes about 20 min.

Mine is actually waiting in the case for a cleaning.

-J.

 

[itsa pain]

there are powders in the Ramshot line that will not allow copper to stick. Rel 15 is one and cfe 223 is another I guess Rel 15 would be alright for a garand it is medium powder. TAC powder will now allow copper to stick also

 

[Lj1941]

Cfe223

Maybe an M-1 would be a good test for Hodgdon's new powder. I read a glowing review on how good it is for preventing and even removing copper fouling.There are some loads listed for 150 & 165 grain 30/06. The only question is whether the port pressure would be OK with this powder.I would try it if I only owned an M-1!

 

[itsa pain]

it is a medium powder and that is good for an M1