to what degree is barrel rust/pitting

[mrspear11]

In your barrel what would you rate the remaining pitting, "light", "mild"?
Except for Artificer I'm getting the impression that the take on my barrel is that it would fall in the moderate pitting range. So maybe a description of moderate pitting is where it begins to get dicey whether the barrel can be salvaged without a re-bore/cut?

 

[nhmoose]

Just how does it shoot? Pits or not results on target rule.

 

[mrspear11]

Haven't shot it yet. What I'm trying to do with the post and pics is get a general idea of what those experienced with ml barrels would consider different levels/degrees of pitting to look like. For example the description on my barrel pictured was "light pitting, light use". Some others that I have seen for sell state "light pitting" or "moderate pitting".

 

[bob308]

having looked down a lot of barrels. I would have to say that barrel is toast. there looks like there mite be enough left to fresh it out the old way by hand.

 

[don hepler]

I don't know where I'd rate it. I have one that looks as bad or worse. Lucky mine is a cap lock gun, which allows me to use Black MZ powder, that does not fowl the gun very much. I polished the heck out of it, and it will out shoot some of my rifles with like new bores. The proof is in the pudding. Perhaps it shoots better for a reason. I've spent a lot of time trying to get it to shoot, before having it rebored and it has paid off. Another thing to consider, is my rifle is a 32 cal. and only needs a light charge and not too tight of a patch. Your mileage may differ.

 

[Tinker2]

Clean it or take it to a professional to clean it, do that first if you haven’t

I have barrels that after completely wearing out three wire brushes you could not tell it was rifled.

I had the rust electrolytic removed, it looks good and shoots good.

Clean it, have it cleaned then decide




William Alexander

 

[Eric Krewson]

Your barrel is a bit worse than mine was, I would call mine moderate pitting before I scrubbed it and light pitting afterwards.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Clean it or take it to a professional to clean it, do that first if you haven’t

I have barrels that after completely wearing out three wire brushes you could not tell it was rifled.

I had the rust electrolytic removed, it looks good and shoots good.

Clean it, have it cleaned then decide




William Alexander

While I agree with most of what your saying....
What is a "professional".....
Rather than use ..."electrolytic" I used Acid....Boom! rust gone in 60 seconds....
But then ...........I'm A professional..... :wink:

Rust is easily removed.....pitting on the other hand....requires machining...

 

[ZUG]

Haven't shot it yet. What I'm trying to do with the post and pics is get a general idea of what those experienced with ml barrels would consider different levels/degrees of pitting to look like. For example the description on my barrel pictured was "light pitting, light use". Some others that I have seen for sell state "light pitting" or "moderate pitting".

I am of the opinion that " I don't like any pitting or rust" in my bore - light - moderate - or heavy. To me it makes the gun a pain to load, clean, and can effect accuracy - some dissagree but that's why we are all different :v . You can try to "lead lap" the light rust out but not the pitting for that you need to have it refreshed or rebored. If you want to know more from a person who does this kind of work for a living write to or call Bobby Hoyt and ask him - he is the expert.

 

[Tinker2]

“What is a "professional".....


That is a hard question for me to answer anymore.
I would be interested in your opinion on that.

The last time I had that done the local gun shop had the equipment and skill.

The last rust bucket I had I cleaned at home with molasses.
I acquire things that most people would pass on.



William Alexander

 

[azmntman]

“What is a "professional".....


That is a hard question for me to answer anymore.
I would be interested in your opinion on that.

The last time I had that done the local gun shop had the equipment and skill.

The last rust bucket I had I cleaned at home with molasses.
I acquire things that most people would pass on.



William Alexander

:metoo: :thumbsup: Amazing ol time trick. I will warn ya though it will take the "shine" outta bluing if used too heavy I had to soak a week on a HORRID rusty cylinder. Rust came ALL OFF with a Q-tip afterwards.

 

[Zonie]

Since bluing or browning is just a type of rust we like, don't be surprised that anything that removes rust from a bore, also removes the bluing or browning from other areas. :hmm:

 

[Tinker2]

Since bluing or browning is just a type of rust we like, don't be surprised that anything that removes rust from a bore, also removes the bluing or browning from other areas. :hmm:

That’s why I liked the electrolytic rust remover, it was only in the barrel.





William Alexander

 

[azmntman]

Since bluing or browning is just a type of rust we like, don't be surprised that anything that removes rust from a bore, also removes the bluing or browning from other areas. :hmm:

I didnt know that, wasnt aware bluing was rust :hmm: However I am in no way disappointed, I have a non shiny perfectly good cylinder saved by an investment of 3 bux at the local feed store and still have enough molasses left to de rust several more "old" things!

 

[mooman76]

It's rust all right. I made the mistake of trying to clean my bore with a bathroom cleaner. Some of that "green" stuff so being natural what could it hurt? I couldn't find Windex to try like some had talked about. I wasn't thinking and didn't realize it also removed rust. Some ran down the outside of the barrel and took the Browning off where ever it touched just that quick. The gun had a real nice brown on it too with no marks on it. Last time I try something like that without thinking first. I since rebrowned it but not quite as good as it was.

 

[Tinker2]

have had thing that were so rusty (locks) you could not tell if it was all there.

Molasses for a few weeks, pulled it out washed off and it worked as is.




William Alexander

 

[nit wit]

Try steel wool on a jag, course to fine!
Nit Wit

 

[Okie Hog]

Yep, i would say the barrel is ruined. For decades i tried to salvage rusted muzzleloader barrels. Yeah, sometimes they could be made to shoot OK but they were highly susceptible to tearing patches and leading when conicals were used. They are also prone to further rusting.

Gave it up: It ain't worth my time and effort.

 

[nkbj]

Yep, that's why I'd get the bore enlarged until it cleaned up and then re-rifled to shoot my favorite stuff... looking upon it as an opportunity rather than a problem.

 

[bubba.50]

before payin' a whole lot of attention to the "gloom & doomers" I'd give it a vigorous scrubbin' with a green scotchbrite, clean it up good, then take it out & shoot it. these old things will surprise ya from time to time. I've had guns that after a good scrub you could barely tell even had riflin' & they were plenty accurate enough for a huntin' gun.

just the opinion of one old man. YMMV