Is this what a new barrel should look like?

[Bruce K]

I haven't shot my new AI AXSR in 300 Norma Magnum yet and looked down the barrel to see what a new and what I thought would be a pristine barrel looks like. These pictures appear to show carbon, copper and debris in the barrel. I certainly understand the advice clean your barrel before shooting it.

However, is this what a new barrel should look like which has never been fired by me (first owner)?

Pictures here. https://photos.app.goo.gl/33BSyWqhj86FayRS7

 

[4O6shootist]

That barrel has some rounds down it, prob sub 100 by the carbon accumulation and fouling, but lack of initial fire cracking. Was likely suppressed by the sooting at the shoulder area. Is there carbon residue at the crown as well?

Also see this photo here, appears that's a groove going all the way to the chambers neck / case mouth. 3 things can cause this, 1. chamber is off center, 2. the freebore is undersized by a fair bit(if it's the freebore undersized, remnants of all 5 grooves would likely be visible), 3. One groove was machined notably deeper than the others(if this is the only one visible). If it were my rifle I paid a pile of money for from an AI dealer, I'd be making some phone calls.

 

[supercorndogs]

All the firearms sold in the U.S must be test fired.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Accuracy International puts more rounds through a new one than most other manufacturers. My advice is to stop looking for defects and shoot it. That's what AI's are for. They really hate being safe queens.

 

[surgeon260]

It's a 300 Norma. You're going to replace the barrel in a couple weeks anyway.

 

[Bruce K]

I have no doubt the 300 Norma Magnum is a barrel burner and double based powders like N570 accelerate this further but also add velocity over powders like H1000 or Retumbo.

As for the barrel, here is the response from Accurancy International.

The rifles are ALL shot for Function, safety, and accuracy. There will be signs of some copper and fouling in the Chamber and barrel. Some of those "debri" you see come from the Cotton Patches when patching out the barrels. On the 300Nm you will see more of the copper fouling then on others due to the high Pressure on a 30 Cal bullet it is punching through the barrel.


Thank You,
Accuracy International

 

[4O6shootist]

That rifle has been shot way more than a few test rounds. Chamber job looks like what I'd expect to see peeking into a savage or ruger American. I'm just being honest here.

 

[Bruce K]

That rifle has been shot way more than a few test rounds. Chamber job looks like what I'd expect to see peeking into a savage or ruger American. I'm just being honest here.

I've sent those pictures to two of my gunsmiths that build my custom bolt guns and they think the response from Accuracy International is appropriate. Both gunsmiths compete in PRS and one was mentioned as a top gunsmith in Carl Zants PRS blog.

 

[4O6shootist]

So your gunsmiths think it's completely normal for rifling grooves to run all the way to the case mouth? I don't care if it's a saami or cip reamer, the freebore will clean up the rifling if the reamer was correct and the smith did his job. But if your guys say it's good, and you trust them, than bang on bud.

 

[hafejd30]

I personally think it looks fine. The squiggly marks are likely just cotton fibers left from the patch.

 

[71firebird400]

So your gunsmiths think it's completely normal for rifling grooves to run all the way to the case mouth? I don't care if it's a saami or cip reamer, the freebore will clean up the rifling if the reamer was correct and the smith did his job. But if your guys say it's good, and you trust them, than bang on bud.

+1

 

[pabrousseau]

Let us know how it shoots.