0000 Steel Wool?

[Uncle Ji]

I want to pre-empt any stuck cases in my new 223 Handi by polishing the chamber.  I have 0000 steel wool on hand.  Would a oiled piece of 0000 steel wool on cleaning rod with electric drill be too abrasive for polishing the chamber?  I live 20 miles from nearest hardware store so can go get Flitz next time I drive in but if I don't have too that's good too.  :lol:

[safetysheriff]

i would NOT recommend steel wool for any work done on the interior of a barrel or chamber.   small pieces/strands of steel wool break off and will be difficult to thoroughly clean out of the chamber and the housing for the ejector/extractor.     i would not recommend steel wool for any work done on the wooden stock/forearm of a weapon because the small strands can be left in the wood and then can be seen/felt when the wood is stained and coated.

a very good carpenter told me years ago to use sandpaper on the wooden stock of a rifle.   i didn't listen (being younger) and found out just how right he was.

to each his own,

ss'

[quickdtoo]

Any fine metal polish will work, I've used Maas and Simichrome. JB Bore Brite or non-embedding compound or USP paste will also work if you have any of those products available.  

Tim

[dodd3]

ive used tooth paste when nothing else was at hand, takes longer but it does work.one thing it will get rid of all the oil in the chamber lol.
bernie

[ken s]

try some white tooth paste. a denture whitener or brightener. Y B Surprized.   ken s

[Victor3]

I've always done it per Roy Dunlap's instructions in his old book "Gunsmithing".

You make a lap out of a case fired in the gun by attaching a rod through the primer hole, load the lap with rouge (Very fine polishing compound) and slowly turn the lap in the chamber with a hand drill until the chamber is polished acceptably. He did it with a hand-powered drill, but I always use an electric variable speed on very low RPM. I use a bit of light oil to lubricate the lap.

I don't think 0000 steel wool would do much - No abrasive in it. Might burnish it some if you used some elbow grease I guess.

I recon 'ol Roy "Dun lapped" a few chambers in his time and knew what he was talking about. Usually works good for me (Unless the chamber is really bad)...

[quickdtoo]

Chamber polishing methods are well covered in the FAQ. Take some time and check it out, you'll be surprised what you'll find in there. :wink:

Tim