Author Topic: Scratches inside my 223 barrel. (Read 1629 times)

223Shooter · « **on:** March 11, 2004, 12:33:14 PM »

While I was cleaning my NEF .223 Handi rifle today, I looked inside the bore from the muzzle end and was surprised to see what appeared to be scratches from bullet markings. These scratches were on both the lands and grooves of my barrel. These marks are perpendicular to the lands and appear to be from the spinning of the bullet as it goes out the barrel.
I do handload and have put appx 700 rounds thru this gun. It has not affected the accuracy of this gun at this time. Is this normal ? Should I be concerned ? Do you suggest I contact the mfgr for replacement ? I have two other centerfires, a Sako .243 and a 03-A3 30-06. Neither of these high power barrels look like the inside of my NEF. They look normal. ALL comments are appreciated. Thanks...Bill W.

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2004, 12:47:27 PM »

Your seeing tooling marks left by the cutters during manufacturing. Perfectly normal. If it's not causing any exess fowling I would not worry about it. KN

wallynut · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2004, 04:19:27 PM »

Get a bore scope, you'll never be happy about any barrel!

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2004, 07:38:09 PM »

Those scratches are not from the bullet. Bullets travel paralell to the rifling, and are spinning the exact same as the twist in the bore as they are still locked into the rifling while in the bore. Tooling used to ream the bore would be a possibility but those would only exist if it were cut/broach rifled, NEF's aren't. Both hammer rifle and button rifling may leave scratches but they would not be perpendicular to both the rifling and on both lands and grooves. What equipment are you using to clean this rifle? Perhap that's where the scratches came from. The other possiblility is an improperly used pilot on a boresighter... In any case if it's not causing a problem, ignore them. If the become more numerous, find where they are coming from!!

yankee · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2004, 01:33:31 PM »

After the barrel was drilled it was reamed to give it a more consistant diameter. The reamer left a spiral mark from one end to the other. This mark was not honed or laped out. As the button was pulled through the barrel, to make the groves, it did not remove the spirals and they remained in the lands and groves. If you look closely at the muzzle end and rotate the barrel you should notice the marks move up or down on each consecutive land. If it shoots ok don't worry about it.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2004, 04:10:57 PM »

I suppose that could happen but would have thought the process of dragging a carbide button thru the bore to create the rifling, in the process displacing metal in all directions would have burnished any scratches left in the hole, completely away. Much as an iron would the wrinkles in a shirt. When a barrel is button rifled a tremendous amount of friction creates enough heat to almost bring the barrel to a red heat. I seriously doubt any scratches would remain. I still put my money on cleaning equipment. The steel wire in the center of a wool mop or a brass brush will scratch barrel steel easily. As can grit embedded in a coated rod as it is spun up the bore.

223Shooter · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2004, 05:13:57 PM »

Thank you all for your replys......When I clean my .223 NEF, I use a one piece stainless cleaning rod with bronze brushes plus Sweets & Hoppes. From the looks of the barrel marks, it sounds possible that they were made by some turning tool of one kind or another as they are perpendicular to the lands and grooves. It has NOT affected accuracy. Today, I loaded up more of my standard loads with 55gr Hornadays SP's....at 60 yds it still shoots 3/8" groups. Again, thank you all for your comments..Bill W.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2004, 08:36:06 PM »

Just one question.. were the scratches the complete length of the bore?
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

223Shooter · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2004, 06:47:14 AM »

gunnut69......I have no way of seeing the entire length of the barrel so I cannot answer your question. I am able to just look in the muzzle with a flashlight and a magnifying glass. I shot some more groups this am...still a nice small cloverleaf. Like you say..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it".