OK here's the deal, I've got a Wheeler fire lapping kit, the kind where you roll the bullets in the compound between 2 seel plates.

My questions are:

1. How many rounds do you fire of each grit? (there are 3, 220, 320 and 600)

2. At what velocity should I shoot them at?

3. Of the powders listed which would be the ideal powder.
SR4759
Bullseye
2400
Other

My understanding is that I don't want to use a high velocity load to do this lapping thing. Should I use cast bullets instead of jacketed bullets?

RJ

RJ,
Here is a interesting read on "fire lapping" if your interested.

http://yarchive.net/gun/barrel/lapping.html

My first comment is to confirm firelapping is worthwhile...have always had measurable improvement.

1. How many rounds do you fire of each grit? (there are 3, 220, 320 and 600)

One less than satisfactory answer would be "as many as it takes". When I rolled my own lead, I typically prepared fifty bullets, and with the exception of stainless barrels, that seemed to do the job. The Tubbs firelapping bullet kit comes with five grits, 10 each for 50 total (impregnated and ready to load). When I rolled my own, I used the same grits you list plus an 800 grit.


2. At what velocity should I shoot them at?

Everything I've read simply says "as slow as possible...just enough to get it out of the barrel. The Tubb instructions suggest using the lowest load listed in your reloading book.

3. Of the powders listed which would be the ideal powder.
SR4759
Bullseye
2400
Other

I would "guess" Bullseye would be the easiest to get your "slow load"?

My understanding is that I don't want to use a high velocity load to do this lapping thing. Should I use cast bullets instead of jacketed bullets?

I've used both and can't say one has performed better than the other. With that said, being lazy, I"ve used the Tubb's prepared kit....you have to clean between grits (lead or jacketed), and cleaning copper is easier than cleaning lead for me.

Hopefully you'll get time to do a before and after test and let us know the results. I've always had accuracy improvement and a heck of a lot easier to clean.

I had to clean my glasses for that one but it was well worth the read. Thanks Marlin

DOK, I thought you only did lousy jokes. :D

At this point I've fire about 200 rounds through the rifle getting sometimes good groups and most of the time poor groups. Before all you Remington haters get tuned up, I've got a couple out of the box rifles that will astound you. This particular rifle is a Sendero SFII and I expexted it to shoot like a custom rifle right out of the box. Of course it did not.

I've got some cast bullets for the 06 I'll start with as I do have some kick-butt lead remover (a Birchwood Casey lead remover cloth). I might even use it for the final rub down of the barrel.

Thanks

RJ

DOK, I thought you only did lousy jokes. :D
RJ

Nope, I spread it around (I'll let you read between the lines).

Dan

Lapping is completed. Even ran some patches of the lead remover cloth through the barrel just cuz and you know what came out???? Small itty bitty flakes of copper, just like I've seen it do with lead. HHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Something smells of dead fish.

I've started using Wipe Out foaming bore cleaner and it seems to be working mch better than Sweets or Shooters Choice. The first 2-3 patches come out a brilliant blue and after the next 5-6 the patch comes out like it went in. This also may be what loosened up the copper that I found on the lead remover patch.

I've got my first 5 test rounds loaded, so all I have to do in the morning is run some patches down the barrel to get rid of the Wipe Out that's soaking in there right now and I'll be set.

RJ

I've also switched to the foam, seems to do a better and certainly easier job. I've also noticed a number of different manufacturers are offering it and is available about where ever I stop.

Been using the WipeOut for some time now. Of recent days, latched onto a can of Gunslicks foam cleaner and found it works just as well and is considerably cheaper. Also, they have a neat plastic tube attached to the nozzle that aids greatly in the application.

Don't mean to hijack the original firelapping thread.

You can always tell when it's been a slow day for the moderators ;)

S'alright kdub, it'll happen when you get as old as you are :D
And I'm not considering your post hijacking, just adding to the discusion of firelapping.

Oh, and by the way kdub, have you any tid bits to add about firelapping?


RJ

The results are in. I wasn't sure what to expect but I am sure that the firelapping helped. This is a group fired before firelapping. I've shot smaller groups but not consistantly.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_0310.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

These 2 groups I shot this morning. The top group I attribute the flier to my cell phone going off in my shirt pocket. :mad: Yes dear, I will water the horses before I go to work. :rolleyes: The lower group I shot after I shut my cell phone off and went to see if the horses acctually needed water. They have since been watered.:D

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At least now it seems like the groups will be more consistant. Before it seemed like there was no certainty of where the next bullet was going to hit. I'm hoping now that with some load tweeking and practice, I will be able to tighten the groups up. Hopefully before I burn the barrel out.

RJ

looks like good news and sure looks like better results....and apparenlty your one of those fellas that when he decides to do something, doesn't procrastinate!

Dan

I don't procrastinate much when it comes to my guns or what the wife wants done. It may take a bit longer to get her projects done as there always seems to be a firearm related problem spring up. :D

RJ