Crud ring

[bama mike]

1st time post. Just joined but have been reading for some time. Just started shooting this year and I need to ask a question. What exactley is a "crud ring". I bought a used Omega 50 cal and have been very pleased with it. I am using 777, 100 grains with 250 Shockwave sabots. I swab between shots but after 4 or 5 shots it gets very difficult to load the sabot. Do I have a crud ring? How can I tell and how do I get rid of it? Also, will all powders give you a crud ring?    Thanks for any help

[Vic49]

1st time post. Just joined but have been reading for some time. Just started shooting this year and I need to ask a question. What exactley is a "crud ring". I bought a used Omega 50 cal and have been very pleased with it. I am using 777, 100 grains with 250 Shockwave sabots. I swab between shots but after 4 or 5 shots it gets very difficult to load the sabot. Do I have a crud ring? How can I tell and how do I get rid of it? Also, will all powders give you a crud ring?    Thanks for any help

The crud ring is build up near the bullet area of the barrel and I think it is a 777 problem. When swabbing, I spit patch go slowly and near the bottom work it over extra well. I switched to Kleanbore primers and got rid of most of it. I now shoot BH209 in everything and all problems solved.

[simonkenton]

777 is the only powder that makes the crud ring. It forms right in front of the bullet in the barrel.

[Keith Lewis]

Be very cautious when using 777 as the crud ring will cause you to load the bullet with space between the powder and the bullet. Mark your ramrod when the first clean load is made and make sure all following loads seat the bullet as far down the barrel. If you do not the recoil will likely cut your forehead if you have a scope on the rifle (it did mine). Besides that it is not good for the rifle. Personally in my Omega I quit using 777 powder as there was no solution to the extreme crud ring that mine makes.

[Underclocked]

The big hint here is to swab with lightly dampened patch followed by dry patch (using short strokes as you go down the barrel) after each shot when using T7.  You should also see accuracy improve as a result.

Swabbing to a clean bore situation after each shot is also a good idea - especially if you want to hunt on a clean bore charge.

[bama mike]

Thanks for the help. I clean mine real well yesterday with a good hot water scrubbing, then a light coat of oil. Tomorrow I may try some different powder. I may try Pyrodex... I have never seen any 209 here. Heard a lot of good things about 209 and would like to try some sometimes.  Marking your rod sounds like a good idea.  Thanks.

[jomiri469]

Been using Triple Seven pellets since they came out and if I have crud ring, it's not a factor with accuracy but I am very persnickety with my cleaning between shots as I use patches with No 13 bore cleaner and Traditions Wonder Lube, with dry patches in between. Also use T/C bore butter when storing the gun. Works for me.