Barrel Scratch

[Paul7]

Question for the experts here, I have a new Sako Finn Light in 6.5x55 and the first time at the range used a bore snake that was the wrong size, it was too big (thank you Sportsman's Warehouse). It went down the bore several times with some effort and I noticed there a few tiny scratches on the inside of the barrel. I'm probably answering my own question since after that I shot a sub 1" group and last weekend got 4 hogs with 4 shots, but is this anything to be worried about?

I've heard people say rifles they own with scratches and even pitting can still be quite accurate. I'm sure the more a rifle is used the less pristine it will be inside and out.

 

[45bthompson]

It's fine. I'm also positive you did not scratch steel with a nylon and brass boresnake.

 

[Geno]

I agree that you likely did not damage to the bore. You are probably seeing tooling marks in the barrel. Are you able to capture any pictures of the area of concern? It is tricky, but can be done. It would help to see these marks.

Geno

 

[Paul7]

I agree that you likely did not damage to the bore. You are probably seeing tooling marks in the barrel. Are you able to capture any pictures of the area of concern? It is tricky, but can be done. It would help to see these marks.

Geno

Sorry, I can't get a picture of it. It makes sense though that brass would not scratch a chrome-lined barrel. Is it somewhat common that a new rifle leaves the factory with such minute tooling marks?

 

[45bthompson]

I haven't seen your bore so its hard to say but barrels do have a break in period that will smooth out some of those tool marks and should increase accuracy by a small margin.

 

[Geno]

That rifle's bore is chrome-lined?! I thought they were blued. As just stated, chromed-lined bores do get smoother, shiny.

Geno

 

[Paul7]

I believe it is chrome-lined, anybody know something to the contrary? Its pretty shiny.

FWIW, I don't reload, that sub 1" group I shot was using cheap Privi ammo.

 

[Geno]

That accuracy is precisely what I expected from my Sako, a late 1980s Finnbear, laminated stock in .270 Win. It always did sub-MOA.

Some of the best-ever groups I fired in that rifle were handloads, using 62 grains of AA3100, a 215 Fed Mag primer (yes, a Mag primer), in form-fired brass. The projectiles were 130 grain Nosler Ballistic tips. That load would produce tiny little three-shot clovers at 100 yards. 8^) That was among my favorite deer loads. I was able to take-out 5 of 6 and sometimes 6 of 6 water jugs at 500 yards with 6 shots with it.

Sakos seem to eat whatever you feed them. Unfortunately, I blew a primer and it "blow-torched" the bolt and cracked the stock under the bolt handle. I do like Sakos. The 6.5X55 is one cartridge I never have owned, and really would like to. Sounds like you got yourself a real keeper!!

Geno

 

[Paul7]

It really put the hammer on hogs last weekend, four shots and four hogs DRT. One smaller one I gutshot and it even dropped dead after running a short ways.

I plan on using this rifle for cow elk this winter with a 156 gr. bullet. Comparable to a .308 but with less kick and noise.

 

[jpwilly]

I doubt you damaged the bore. Ever looked into "cold hammer forged" barrel manufacturing process? Let's just say tungsten carbide hammers are forced into the barrel blank at double digit strikes every second with forces in the 100+ tons range. I don't think pulling a bore snake through your bore had much effect on it.

 

[rcmodel]

I know you didn't damage the bore.

There is nothing on a Bore-Snake that can damage a bore.
If it doesn't break off in the barrel and you can't get it out!

IMO: Bore-Snakes are an ingenious solution to a non-existent problem.

The worlds military powers gave up on corded pull-through cleaning equipment about 100 years ago.

Because of all its deficiency's and short-comings!

Buy a high quality stainless steel or brass joint-less cleaning rod!

http://store.safariland.com/kleen-bore/product386.html

rc

 

[adelbridge]

There is chromium in the steel but it ain't chrome lined. You are probably seeing brass streaks from snake or copper deposits. Get a copper solvent and your scratches will wipe out.

 

[Geno]

Paul7:

I just stopped back to the thread to see how things worked out for you. Seems well enough, huh? Four hogs? That's a lot of good eating.

You know, advice from the likes of "experts" like us isn't free. It costs pictures. You need to posts some pictures of this rifle, and some hogs. Congrats on getting out and doing some hunting. I think I'm going green with envy!!!

Geno

 

[Paul7]

Paul7:

I just stopped back to the thread to see how things worked out for you. Seems well enough, huh? Four hogs? That's a lot of good eating.

You know, advice from the likes of "experts" like us isn't free. It costs pictures. You need to posts some pictures of this rifle, and some hogs. Congrats on getting out and doing some hunting. I think I'm going green with envy!!!

Geno

The expert consensus is that a few tiny scratches are no big deal, and probably came with the rifle.

Sorry I don't have pig photos (they're on my cell phone) but here is a Barbary Sheep I got in February with the Sako and a picture of the rifle itself, with Harris bipod and Zeiss Conquest scope.

Thanks for the answers everyone.

 

[SabbathWolf]

I know you didn't damage the bore.

There is nothing on a Bore-Snake that can damage a bore.
If it doesn't break off in the barrel and you can't get it out!

IMO: Bore-Snakes are an ingenious solution to a non-existent problem.

The worlds military powers gave up on corded pull-through cleaning equipment about 100 years ago.

Because of all its deficiency's and short-comings!

Buy a high quality stainless steel or brass joint-less cleaning rod!

http://store.safariland.com/kleen-bore/product386.html

rc

Yep. I agree.
I have a 30cal bore snake and almost never use it.
I still stick with rods and patches.
With patches, I can keep running through new ones until they finally come out clean.
With the bore snake, I have no way to really tell if I'm done cleaning or not.

 

[Geno]

Very nice rifle, and a nice sheep too! Thanks for the photos and the update.

Geno