Lapping a barrel

[JesseJames]

Can someone explain lapping a gun barrel to me?
I've read that there are kits to do this and it could make a definite difference in accuracy.

 

[Chawbaccer]

It means to polish the bore of a gun, either by using a rod or by fire lapping with specially coated bullets. while it may improve accuracy if it can also ruin a barrel, specially if applied overzealously.

 

[DnPRK]

Benchrest barrel manufacturers make some of the most accurate barrels in the world. It is common for a benchrest shooter to shoot 0.2 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yds, not just once in a blue moon, but time after time after time. That's what it takes to be competitive in that sport.

Below is a link to Lilja Rifle Barrels. The final step in fabricating a match-winning barrel is hand lapping the bore. The link explains what that means.

http://www.riflebarrels.com/faq_lilja_rifle_barrels.htm#hand

 

[Nhsport]

Don't expect this to make a tack-driver out of a cruddy barrel.
Back 8 or 10 years back when I first found out about fire lapping I got all excided about it. Further research showed some improvement in standard factory barrels (some can be slightly rough) and some decent improvement to some almost hopeless old mil surp junk.
I have had some success with J&B bore paste on some barells that owners had considered "no good" or "shot out" that were just filthy. Heavy copper fouling or lead ( worse yet-both) is not a help to good shooting. Just be sure if you are going at a garand or lever gun that you are running the rod in a manner not to bugger the barrel crown.