Is it fixable?

[Avi8r320]

An opportunity recently came up to buy a Ruger m77 mark II in 25-06, at a very nice price. The rifle looks new, and the guy offering it says it is only two years old. Here's the catch. The guy said it was his son's rifle, and it has never been cleaned. He said it only has about 25 rounds through it, but hasn't seen a bore brush between any of the rounds. Looking at the bore and action, all I can see with the naked eye is powder build up.
Is a rifle with 25 rounds baked into it still safe, and can it still be accurate? If so, what should I use to clean it? Can I tell before taking the time to clean it whether or not it can be fixed, or if it needs a new barrel?

[skb2706]

25 rounds........consider that .......... Not even a full clip from a M4. Not even two full boxes of CF rifle ammo. Unless the guy stored the rifle at the bottom of a lake I seriously doubt you have any issues. I have rifles that I used while shooting pds that don't get cleaned but every 50 rounds and they shoot excellent.

[Brithunter]

Unless it's been kept in a really humid place that possibly could cause rust in the Bore.

    I really wondered if it was a serious question  :eek:

  25 rounds :roll:  :eek:  if you are cleaning more often that this then you are more than likely causing more wear than shooting it will.

[KN]

If you are seriously interested tell him you want to clean it before buying. If he objects he is probably hiding something. Worse case, you don't want it and he gets his gun cleaned.   KN

[beemanbeme]

I think you're angsting over nothing.  You've been reading too many of the anal post in here about cleaning rifles.  I know "good ole boys" that hardly clean their rifle from one year to the next and they still go bang and something falls down.
"course you could burden him with all your worries about it and maybe get the price down.   :grin:

[mangulator]

I'm with beemanbeme, should he clean the gun for you yes. But I know a lot of individuals that shoot game put their gun away and out it comes again for the next season. I really don't think it's hurt unless moisture has reached it and rusted the barrel.

[smk]

Here's food for thought. I recently bought a 30-30 from a friend of mine. It was the only gun he owned. He had it for 26 years and used it for deer hunting. He does not own a cleaning rod or any cleaning supplies of any kind and looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him about cleaning it. He said he just wiped off the outside. I cleaned it (and it was very badly fouled) and it shoots fine. No pitting - must have been stored in a dry environment.

[Savage .250]

If it was me i`d tell the guy (seller) i want to run a swab through the
   bore  and if all is well he just sold a 25-06.
   whats that old saying................Buyer beware!

[skb2706]

Better yet.......tell him its trash ....you want it for salvage. Buy it for next to nothing. Shoot it til you're too old to lift it. Tell him about later. Seller beware..........

[Avi8r320]

That's what I was thinking of doing  :twisted:
My conscience will probably prevail though. Maybe not, who knows.

I have the rifle now, will probably clean it after work tonight. I'll hopefully get a chance to shoot it tomorrow if it doesn't rain.
We'll see.

[Slamfire]

I've a muzzleloader with more uncleaned rounds through it than that.  :-D

[Blammer]

if the price is right get it, nothing wrong with the brl I bet.

I've got several rifles that have more than a couple hundred rounds through them and I haven't cleaned them yet....

BUT if I am going to not shoot a rifle for several years I'll clean it good or at least put some oily patches through it for preservation.

I'd get it, no worries.

[S.S.]

It all depends on what you are doing with the gun.
If it is not going to be used as a top of the line target rifle then you should have nothing to fear.
If it is, Then it still probably is not too late.
Is what you are talking about "Shooting in" or "Seasoning" the bore ?
This being - Fire the first shot then clean the bore thoroughly - Fire the next shot, clean -
do this five times - Then fire 3 five shot strings and clean thoroughly after each string.
This is done on target rifles, but I will be honest, I have never found that it makes that much difference. A minute with some Hoppe's and a nylon brush and a couple of cloth patches
will probably fix that rifle right up. If not, substitute a copper brush. (Never use stainless brushes) .