I think that I know what frosted bore looks like now

[bluebayou]

So I am at the range firing my new 22 rifle.  We are shooting Super Colibris at the time (to find point of impact at "porch to the trashcan" distances).  Anyway, the range keeper (lives onsite) comes to me with a box of Russian 22 ammo.  Box is green and says "Target" and a bunch of Cyrillic writing.  "Here, these are pretty light too".  The trusting soul that I am, I take the ammo and fire two rounds.  Both are LOUD and produce noticeable recoil.  I was pretty upset, but I was the dummy who fired unknown ammo. 

So now this is what the bore on my brand new 22 looks like inside:



The white glaze looking ring at the muzzle covers the rifling all of the way down.  Can this be removed?  It doesn't seem to be affecting accuracy.  It annoys me though. 

Maybe it will be a harmless but visible reminder not to:
Fire unknown ammo
Clean my rifle after firing


I am most upset about how I did not clean after firing like I normally do.

[gunnut69]

That doesn't appear to be a frosted bore. It appears to be some type of residue. Frosted bores are usually caused by light rust usually induced by the salts from a corrosive primer, and that's only if the bore is not promptly and properly cleaned. If the Hoppes doesn't do the job try hot water with a bit of Dawn dish soap. Rinse with just plain hot water. If it was a salt from the ammo the hot water should take it right out. If its just powder fowling the Hoppes will do the trick. Some of the Russian made 22 target ammo has an excellent reputation for accuracy..

[EVOC ONE]

I've experienced similar residue on a couple of my .22's.  I've never shot Russian ammo, only American labeled brands.  Hoppes and Klean Bore seem to remove it just fine.

[bluebayou]

Well, good.  I will have to go buy some Hoppes or Klean Bore on the next payday.  It is a crusty looking stuff on the outside.  Inside the bore it is a thin glaze.

[koginam]

It could be from the bullet lube.
One good thing though your crown looks square as seen by the even star pattern at the muzzle.

[bluebayou]

(humbly)
I think that it was bullet lube or leading.  This is my first rimfire (I am working backwards to a pellet gun).

It came off easily enough with a fingernail and piece of wood. 

You are right, koginam, the crown looks great underneath.

[Bubber]

I got a bunch of Russian made "match" ammo from an ex-girlfriend. The ammo hung around here for years befor I finally pawned it off this guy who wouldn't pay back some money he owed me. It wouldn't shoot for beans, it was inconsistant  with a quarter of every box approaching squibs, and in addition to leaving residue exactly like that on the crown, every third round would stick in the chamber when I pulled the bolt back.

There is still a half box of it sitting on my night stand reminding me of why I don't date her anymore.

[bluebayou]

LOL

There is a dent in my truck that reminds me of someone every time that I see it.

[gunnut69]

I don't know what kind of ammo you were using but the Russian made match ammo has a reputation for accuracy and reliability. Perhaps the ammo was improperly stored but it would likely be the exception rather than the rule.. not that I'd make any reccomendations about the woman..  What kind of rifle were you using?

[Bubber]

Gunnut:
It may very well have been improperly stored. If you say it the Russian made match stuff has a reputation for accuracy I will believe you that this was an exception to the rule. My goal was not to badmouth the ammo so much as it was to put some details behind the story.

The reason they would stick in the chamber however was the lube (I assume something like cosmoline) that was on the shells. As has already been said, I also attribute this lube to the residue on the crown.

[gunnut69]

The material your referring to is the lacquer used to protect the steel case from rust. I suggest spray carb cleaner or any good bore solvent to remove the firing residue from the bore and the chamber..

[Badnews Bob]

The Russian ammo has a very waxy lube on it. That is what you are seeing in your bore and on the crown, dosen't hurt anything, I've shot about 5000 rounds out of my CZ with no problems and very good results. 1/4 inch at 50 all day long, I only clean the actions on my .22s I rarely clean the bores .22s shoot better with a well lubed bore and cleaning them alot removes the wax based lube also LR rounds don't corrode to speak of , biggest problem is powder residue in the action.

[jcn59]

What is "Russian" .22 ammo?

[gunnut69]

It's 22 rim-fire ammo made in the soviet satellite countries. It's sold here under several brand names and in several varieties..