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I have mixed feelings about firelapping, although in a really bad case, it has it's uses.
That Brasso idea is interesting, I'm going to have to try it, and I have just the rifle to try it on. Problem is though, all it will do is remove the fouling. I don't think it will do enough to smooth out the bore, and we need to get that bore smooth.
Firelapping will do this, but as has been said, will cause wear at the throat or leade. So, what to do?
I believe the instructions in most firelapping kits state to shoot ten bullets loaded with each grit at the slowest speed possible, with thorough cleaning of the chamber and barrel after each grade of grit has been run through the barrel. This did not strike me as being the best idea, so when I did a rifle in 7x57 Mauser that had a bore that looked like it was reamed by a rat tail file, I decided to firelap. I figured it couldn't hurt. However, I decided to do only five shots with each grit. The kit I have came from Midway and has only three grits, rough, medium and reasonably fine. I did a final lap with five bullets coated with JB Bore paste. The end reuslt was a better barrel with less damage to the throat. It still fouls, but more like a normal barrel now. Accuracy is fantastic, but I believe that rifle always had the potential to be a great shooter anyway.
How I would go about it today, with the kit that I have is I would tale a bronze bore brush that was a bit worn out and put the grit on a patch. I'd slowly work it back and forth maybe ten times, then super clean the barrel and chamber. Then I'd do it again with the medium grit, clean again and then use the fine grit. Finall after cleaning the fine grit, two or three sessions of ten strokes with the JB Bore paste and then one more super cleaning and oil the bore. While doing this, do not let the grit covered patch leave the muzzle. If possible, place the setup with the muzzle against something to block it to reduce the chance of messing up the crown of the barrel.
Anyway, that's how I'm going to take care of a barrel with a very rough bore.
Paul B.
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