I have a new (20-30 rounds) sako 75 gray wolf in 30-06. With the right round i can hold my groups at around 1 inch maybe a little less. I really like the rifle. Today when i was cleaning i noticed some copper buildup near the crown. About 1/4 inch inside from the crown. After using some butches bore shine and a brush i was able to remove the copper fouling but noticed the ring scratching. It almost appears as though when the crown was cut a tool was inserted and the scratches were created. Im guessing but not sure what else could have created it. The scratches are a perfect circle and hit every land and groove. although only the middle portion of the groove is affected.

The reason i am writing this is i am bummed out that the barrel is scratched. Is this going to be an issue? Will this be a contined area of fouling? Will it eventually disappear? Anyone else ever seen this?

thanks for your help

Welcome to the forum Steven. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

My guess is it probably came from a piloted crowning tool. It sounds like your rifle is plenty accurate. As long as it shoots well I don't think I'd worry about it. You may have to clean a little more often.

I do a hundred strokes with a patch wrapped on a well worn wire brush with JB non-embedding bore cleaner an any new gun. This pretty well polishes out a bore and makes cleaning easier. It's an old bench rest trick. I believe your problem will eventually disappear as the barrel is shot in. If you do the JB thing or for that matter any cleaning with a rod I suggest a bore guide. It's a real barrel saver.

I have a new (20-30 rounds) sako 75 gray wolf in 30-06. With the right round i can hold my groups at around 1 inch maybe a little less. I really like the rifle. Today when i was cleaning i noticed some copper buildup near the crown. About 1/4 inch inside from the crown. After using some butches bore shine and a brush i was able to remove the copper fouling but noticed the ring scratching. It almost appears as though when the crown was cut a tool was inserted and the scratches were created. Im guessing but not sure what else could have created it. The scratches are a perfect circle and hit every land and groove. although only the middle portion of the groove is affected.

The reason i am writing this is i am bummed out that the barrel is scratched. Is this going to be an issue? Will this be a contined area of fouling? Will it eventually disappear? Anyone else ever seen this?

thanks for your help


If it is a continuing problen a few of the Tubbs final finnish bullets will take care of the problem..

Welcome to the forum Steven. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

My guess is it probably came from a piloted crowning tool. It sounds like your rifle is plenty accurate. As long as it shoots well I don't think I'd worry about it. You may have to clean a little more often.

I do a hundred strokes with a patch wrapped on a well worn wire brush with JB non-embedding bore cleaner an any new gun. This pretty well polishes out a bore and makes cleaning easier. It's an old bench rest trick. I believe your problem will eventually disappear as the barrel is shot in. If you do the JB thing or for that matter any cleaning with a rod I suggest a bore guide. It's a real barrel saver.

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. Will most sports/shooting stores have the JB bore cleaner? How does it work and is treated just like any cleaner or are there special instructions?

Thanks again

Some shooting stores have it. I buy it from Brownell's gunsmith supply. It comes with the instructions. It's a bore cleaner and can be used to polish a barrel. Here's where to look it up.

Brownells - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories and Gunsmithing Tools (http://www.brownells.com/Default.aspx)