Comments on: Barrel Fouling and Pressure

By: Clark Magnuson

Clark Magnuson — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 20:15:33 +0000

That is my photograph [used without asking me] and the pressure as not caused by Copper fouling.
It was 308 brass necked down to 243. The tight necks caused bullet pinch.

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 13:55:01 +0000

Thx for this. I actually had same issue during match. 6xc, relatively safe load 38.7gn (900ms) N203B. Max load is 40gn (950ms) @ 0C. Before match I had extensively clean barrel,using most of copper/carbon removers. During match (150 rounds, -2C) rifle started showing light pressure signs after 60 rounds. After 80 rounds every third casing was missing primer.

This is with relatively new barrel (385) round thru it. LW stainless barrel.

Some barrels build up less carbon/copper others more. But this is deffinatly something a reloader/competiteve shooter must be aware of.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:54:45 +0000

Great post.

I would be willing to bet that load A was running way high to begin with and waaaay more than 20 rounds was fired. The primer cratering can happen at low or high pressures depending on headspace or other issues. It is not a reliable indicator.

I have fired 1000s of rounds through some guns I have without cleaning (ARs) and have not seen anything approaching the over pressure signs in A much less B in any of them. Ever with a lousy barrel and hot korean military ammo.

As far as handloads go, in competitions, I have fired hot handloads for 88 shot strings (not including the foulers before I got on the firing line.) Never have seen anything close to this!

I appreciate the info but real numbers would be of real help here.

what were the actual shot numbers and load?

P.s. This blog is excellent.