Barrel Shavings/Damaged Rifling Cause

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peeplwtchr

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Hi All-

After running about 1500 22LR rounds through my Taurus TX22 training gun, I noticed damaged rifling and saw steel shavings coming from my barrel after the second outing. I did notice that the thread protector was loose during cleaning after the 2nd shooting session. Could this have caused the damage to the barrel? I took these pics with my borescope. I also noticed that the jag which fit the barrel fine before, now got tight at the end of the barrel (Last inch), where these pics were also taken. After I brushed it, the tolerance loosened for the most part. This is a $180 gun which I train @5-10 yards with, so damage/accuracy is not a huge concern for me, but I am curious if I got a bad barrel, or there is some other cause, such as the loose thread protector.

Apologize for the blurry pics, the scope wasn't adjusted well.

Thanks
 

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This forum rocks. So does the rifling look damaged, or is it just lead distortion on the rifling? I assume lead is easy to take care of, just normal carbon remover and brushes? If so, are brass brushes significantly better than nylon for this purpose; I own both.
 
I saw a Ruger with the identical problem at my local range. The owner had been shooting Thunderbolts which are notorious for leading. Lead can be a real bear to remove. Scrubbing with a bronze brush and solvent will sometimes help but the best solution is to pick up a box of copper Chore Boy pot scrubbers (must be the copper type) at the grocery store. Remove a strand of the copper and wrap it around a bronze bore brush and work it through the bore until the lead is gone. The copper and bronze are softer than the steel of your barrel and will do no harm.
 
Lead fouling requires a dedicated solvent. Get yourself a bottle of Sweet's 7.62 and make sure you follow the instructions. It is mostly ammonia so make sure you have good ventilation. The liquid is clear but turns blue in the presence of lead shavings.

Pretty sure that Sweet's turns blue in the presence of copper, not lead.

Removing lead is tough. Even tougher in a rimfire barrel which are typically much softer than centerfire barrels.

If you have access to some mercury it will remove the lead in no time. You can also use "the dip", 50/50 white vinegar and H2O2. This will create lead compounds that can be absorbed through the skin so be careful.

Otherwise you can use Bore-Tech Eliminator or Bore-Tech rimfire blend, or Shooter's Choice Lead Remover.

Be careful of mechanical means, like I said many rimfire barrels are very soft steel and some bronze brushes can scratch them.
 
It's not damaged ...it's just lead build up . Use some brass bore brushes, Shooter's Choice Lead Remover Bore Cleaning Solvent ( or equal ) a good pistol rod and some elbow grease . Soaking and scrubbing will remove it . Don't let it build up to that extent next time .
Copper solvent will not clean lead...get something with lead remover in the name.
Do not use vinegar and salt...use 50/50 mix Acetone and Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM type non-synthetic) if you must use a home made mix...this will get under the lead and lift it...super penetrating oil .
You might want to check out a tool called the "Lewis Lead Remover " this is "The Thing" that will un lead a barrel quickly .
Gary
 
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I had the same problem with a Ruger Government Model when using Winchester Target ammo. (The pricey stuff.) You'll find that some .22 ammo just doesn't like your gun.

There are a number of lead-removing solvents, and little packages of clothes already moistened with that same sort of solvent. Use the Chore Box the first time and then get the solvent-moistened clothes and cut small patches and clean the barrel in the usual manner -- and it'll generally get the lead out, as routine post-range cleanup. (Remember to keep the pack sealed when its stored.)
 
This is typical with the TX22. Some barrels are rough from the broaching process and will cause excessive leading. Taurus is aware of this issue with many TX22's, and they already have a different vendor for new barrels. If you go over to the Taurus forum you'll see this is nothing new. Once you get all the lead out of your barrel you'll see the issue. The good news is that Taurus will replace it, but the bad news is they are pretty slow with repairs.
 
I saw a Ruger with the identical problem at my local range. The owner had been shooting Thunderbolts which are notorious for leading. Lead can be a real bear to remove. Scrubbing with a bronze brush and solvent will sometimes help but the best solution is to pick up a box of copper Chore Boy pot scrubbers (must be the copper type) at the grocery store. Remove a strand of the copper and wrap it around a bronze bore brush and work it through the bore until the lead is gone. The copper and bronze are softer than the steel of your barrel and will do no harm.

This Chore Boy thing works amazingly well! 10 seconds of scrubbing with a copper bore brush and KG1 carbon remover, and done!

Thank you!
 

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This is typical with the TX22. Some barrels are rough from the broaching process and will cause excessive leading. Taurus is aware of this issue with many TX22's, and they already have a different vendor for new barrels. If you go over to the Taurus forum you'll see this is nothing new. Once you get all the lead out of your barrel you'll see the issue. The good news is that Taurus will replace it, but the bad news is they are pretty slow with repairs.

Yes, none of my other 22s have ever lead fouled with Thunderbolt. Thanks for the info., I will be contacting them.
 
+1 on the Lewis Lead Remover. I have them for .357, .41 Mag and .45 LC. About $36 for the kit, then $20 per additional caliber, but work very well.

The Chore Boy is a lot cheaper option, and is universal. But when you go to buy the Chore Boy, take a magnet.
There are Chinese faux Chore Box "copper" pads that are actually copper-coated steel. Found them at Wal-Mart several years ago.
A magnet will tell you the truth.
 
Wow thanks for the heads up! I got mine at a dollar store, could be suspect. I will check mine today!
 
I went to a 3rd store looking for Chore Boys that are PURE (Not copper coated) Chore boys, no luck. I searched "Pure copper Chore Boys" on amazon, and ordered. They actually say pure copper on the back of the pack. I'll use the coated ones on the defective barrel until the pure ones arrive.
 
You can find brass wool in the paint dept of big box stores or in automotive parts stores. It is not as course as "chore boys" but it is use the same way and is effective at removing lead build up.

FWIW,

Paul
 
You can find brass wool in the paint dept of big box stores or in automotive parts stores. It is not as course as "chore boys" but it is use the same way and is effective at removing lead build up.

FWIW,

Paul
I didn't know that, thanks for the tip!
 
Does anyone know if new ones will have the better barrels now? Was debating picking one up for 199 here
I doubt it, as my new barrel is on backorder. That wouldn't deter me though, as they will send you a new one when they get them. If I need them to keep sending me barrels until I get a good one, I don't really care. It's their expense. I am taking mine to the range again today and Sunday. This is my draw and fire training gun. I'll get a good one sooner or later, so the more barrels I get, the longer the life of the gun will likely be. And at about 500-1000 rounds per week, I'm perfectly fine with that. In fact, I hope lots of things break, that way I have a gun part replacement rotation. But Seriously, I've got HK, Steyr, Ruger, Canik etc., and this grip and trigger are as good as any of them, in fact the grip is the best.
 
+1 on the Lewis Lead Remover. I have them for .357, .41 Mag and .45 LC. About $36 for the kit, then $20 per additional caliber, but work very well.

The Chore Boy is a lot cheaper option, and is universal. But when you go to buy the Chore Boy, take a magnet.
There are Chinese faux Chore Box "copper" pads that are actually copper-coated steel. Found them at Wal-Mart several years ago.
A magnet will tell you the truth.

All the Chore Boy clones at my local super market are "copper coated" so no go for them
 
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