Restoring Barrel

[Fishin' Rod]

I have an older Ruger inline .50 caliber muzzleloader. Over the years the barrel has become pretty pitted and almost impossible to clean. Presently I am using Gunzilla but I still have a barrel that seems to always have crap in it. I've used a number of cleaners including some Thomson products, Hopper gun cleaners, soap and water, etc. . . . So, my question is, is this just the nature of the beast or is there something I can use or do to improve the inside of my barrel? . . . . I have to say, this rifle still shoots really great.

Thanks,
Rod

[ONESHOT]

I have an older Ruger inline .50 caliber muzzleloader. Over the years the barrel has become pretty pitted and almost impossible to clean. Presently I am using Gunzilla but I still have a barrel that seems to always have crap in it. I've used a number of cleaners including some Thomson products, Hopper gun cleaners, soap and water, etc. . . . So, my question is, is this just the nature of the beast or is there something I can use or do to improve the inside of my barrel? . . . . I have to say, this rifle still shoots really great.

Thanks,
Rod

Sorry to say RUST never sleeps! if the pitting is not deep and the firearm is safe to shoot you can most likely keep it in check by keeping it clean and well lubed with a good product. I shot and killed a deer with my new CVA Optima yesterday I cleaned it well and will reload it for the second part of the season.
Im age 60 now and I always remember what my Dad told me at age 11 when he gave me my 1st shotgun a 870 rem pump, Son never put your best friend to bed dirty! LOL:) The 870 looks as good today as new with exception to where and small nicks in the stock.

BP and substute powders do not fare well with oil based products. TC 1000 bore butter is most likely your best bet after the bore is cleaned well and wiped dry to remove oil based solvents that will clean the pitting. If they look deep you might want a gun smith to inspect it with a bore scope for safety.:thup:

[buttonbuckboy]

I had the same thing happen to my TC. So i took a bunch of those drill bit holders and blacked taped them together and put a 50cal brass bore cleaner on the end of it, put it in the drill with oil and hone it out. My gun is pitted pretty bad and the gun still shoots great. I called TC and they only want $75 for a new barrel delivered right to my door. So when this gun starts shooting bad, I will make the call. Good luck.

[Fishin' Rod]

I think I'll just keep on working with it and when it starts to give me a shooting problem I'll replace the barrel or the rifle. I know I can't make this barrel brand new again but I was hoping I could at least get it to a better condition.

[Buck Tales]

Fishin, as long as the pitting is not deep enough to cause an unsafe "thin barrel" area this is what I have done to guns brought to me in the past. First get a cordless drill and a brass bore brush. run the bore brush in the barrel and clean the rust out as best as possible with it. Next use the brush in and out as normal use to help clear the gooves of the rifling. Then fill the bore with lead remover and let sit over night. The next day drain and clean well with soap and water. Dry well and use a product like bore butter or Old Swamp Hunter to coat the bore with when done. Use lots of it and be sure to really coat it well. Then when you are done and ready to store it plug the end of the barrel with a lubed patch wrapped around a foam ear plug. Also cover the nipple with a lubed patch. This will prevent air from circulating in the barrel drying out the lube and letting the rust gain ground on the damage already done. Hope this helps.

[Fishin' Rod]

Fishin, as long as the pitting is not deep enough to cause an unsafe "thin barrel" area this is what I have done to guns brought to me in the past. First get a cordless drill and a brass bore brush. run the bore brush in the barrel and clean the rust out as best as possible with it. Next use the brush in and out as normal use to help clear the gooves of the rifling. Then fill the bore with lead remover and let sit over night. The next day drain and clean well with soap and water. Dry well and use a product like bore butter or Old Swamp Hunter to coat the bore with when done. Use lots of it and be sure to really coat it well. Then when you are done and ready to store it plug the end of the barrel with a lubed patch wrapped around a foam ear plug. Also cover the nipple with a lubed patch. This will prevent air from circulating in the barrel drying out the lube and letting the rust gain ground on the damage already done. Hope this helps.

Thanks Buck Tales, thats sounds like some really good advice. After this season I'll definitely give my barrel that work over. One question, how do you get the brass bore brush to reach down inside the barrel using a cordless drill?