Anyone seen copper on a new factory fired barrel??

[Jurome]

Good day all, just prepping my brand new Howa 1500 Carbon barrel for the first trip to the range. I cleaned out the oil from the factory and could tell the barrel was test fired. I noticed it was very difficult to clean one particular spot in the bore; the patch coming out white but one small concentrated dar spot from a spot in the barrel. So I decide to do a copper foul clean and just get to it. The barrel comes up clean and I am good to go...until I run my cheap bore scope down the tube. I see near the muzzle, about 8-10" from the end there is a patch of copper on the rifling that I literally CANNOT get rid of. Howa probably only fired a handul of rounds so i am confused as heck. From breech down to the zone, it is shiny and clean. I saw on some old forums, guys with brand new Howa's experiencing the same. I guess just shoot it?? I have SOAKED AND SCRUBBED to the ends of the earth. One member on a shooting forum said he gave up and started shooting his, it was erratic, then settled in and OK after that.

I just cleaned the small copper deposits out of my Tikka (100 rounds) no issues and the bore scope shows shiny silver end to end. Process works just fine for that rifle.

 

[Jurome]

I just got a hit with A.I. on Google...(artificial intel not Ackley Improved LOL!!) sounds like it's a thing...

Key Considerations for New Howa Barrels:

• Initial Cleaning: Before the first shot, remove all packing grease and debris using a standard cleaner.
• Break-in Process: For the first 10-20 rounds, it is recommended to shoot 1-2 shots and clean the barrel completely, removing all copper with a specialized solvent (e.g., Bore Tech Eliminator, Barnes CR-10).
• Method: Use a bore guide and a nylon brush to apply copper remover, letting it soak, and patching until the patches come out clean (no blue/green tint).
• Expectations: The amount of copper will decrease as the bore "burnishes" or smooths out.

If extreme fouling persists after 50-100 rounds, it may indicate a particularly rough barrel, but typically, this issue resolves as the rifle is broken in.

 

[SJB358]

Have you tried attacking it with a nylon brush and some great copper cleaner?

 

[RL338]

Best way I found to remove copper from factory barrels is BoreTech Eliminator.
Run a couple wet patches thru and wait 10-15 minutes then 15-20 stroke with a bronze brush. Follow with several more wet patches and leave for a hour. Then 15-20 strokes with a bronze bush again then follow with 1 wet patch. Wait a few minutes and then dry patch the bore dry. Repeat if needed.
This works for me on stubborn copper.

 

[Jurome]

Have you tried attacking it with a nylon brush and some great copper cleaner?

Hi, yes. I tried soaking with Hoppes Black copper solvent and scrubbing with nylon and bronze brushes. I probably did five sessions on it. Last one I let soak for 90 minutes didn’t touch it. I have ordered a couple bottles of Barnes CR-10.

Have you tried attacking it with a nylon brush and some great copper cleaner?

 

[Jurome]

Best way I found to remove copper from factory barrels is BoreTech Eliminator.
Run a couple wet patches thru and wait 10-15 minutes then 15-20 stroke with a bronze brush. Follow with several more wet patches and leave for a hour. Then 15-20 strokes with a bronze bush again then follow with 1 wet patch. Wait a few minutes and then dry patch the bore dry. Repeat if needed.
This works for me on stubborn copper.

Thanks much I will add that to the list of things to try. The irony here is that the rifle just had the factory throw a few rounds out to test…it would be only a handful of rounds. Just astounded how such a quick round of shooting lodged that copper in like that. I am thinking it might be because the barrel is new and there are some machine burrs there to catch the jacket as it slides by.

 

[highoctane]

My rifles do not foul that quick but when accuracy falls off and they need a little cleaning Sweet's 7.62 and a good nylon brush has always worked well fore my bore cleaning needs, along with a little JB paste. I push a couple patches with Sweet's, let it soak a few minutes, brush the bore, dry patch or two, then a couple more with Sweet's, dry patch and then "finish" with JB, one patch. YMMV

 

[Hunter26]

Seeing the copper in a new barrel isn't fun, but how is it shooting? If it's shooting just fine, I wouldn't get too hung up on it.

 

[Jurome]

Seeing the copper in a new barrel isn't fun, but how is it shooting? If it's shooting just fine, I wouldn't get too hung up on it.

Haven't fired it yet...waiting for the scope to get on it, plus we are caught in some serious crazy weather the last few days no end in sight. I am hoping to get first shots out the barrel by next week.

Howa 1500 Precision, Carbon Barrel, 6.5 Creedmoor