Barrel pitting

adamsdad · 10-19-2006, 08:21 PM

I recently got a Thompson Center 50 cal blackpowder from my uncle who passed away. When I started to clean it I noticed that there is some barrel pitting. I have used a wire brush, patches soaked in Hoppes #9 multiple times and it is still the same. Will this hurt accuracy and is there anything that can be done? Any help would be appreciated. Good Hunting.

MLKeith · 10-19-2006, 08:51 PM

Depends on how severe the pitting is. I had a rifle that I bought on an auction site that was badly pitted. I ran a few passes with JB Bore Paste (about 200 each direction) and cleaned it like normal. I shot some groups at 50 yards that were less than an inch across. I sent the rifle back as the theads for the nipple were badly rusted also and I did not want to deal with tapping for larger thread nipples or heli-coil to fix. If your rifle checks out for safety I would clean it as best as possible with some passes of a lapping compound (not too coarse) clean like normal and go shoot to see. Check the nipple threads. You can get a drop in barrel for the rifle with Green Mountain barrels. I forgot the site but will go look it up and repost. The site is www.trackofthewolf.com.

roundball · 10-19-2006, 08:52 PM

Although I too have heard a lot about pitting & accuracy in the same breath...I've actuallyhad the opportunity to test/shoot a TC barrel with pitting and it shot as perfectly as a new one off the line.

Now I'm sure there are degrees of pitting of course...and if there are large deep pitts / excavationsin the bore walls that would allow fire & gas pressure to get around a patched ball, there might well be variations in shot to shot consistency and subsequent accuracy issues...the pitting in the barrel I tested was not deep and apparenty had no effect at all.

Triple Se7en · 10-19-2006, 09:39 PM

PM sent your way adamsdad.

cayugad · 10-19-2006, 09:54 PM

A pitted bore does not mean the end of the world for the rifle. Take the rifle out and shoot it. Many times pitted rifles will shoot very well. Granted they may be dirty, and might be harder to get a clean patch out of, but many of them are still outstanding shooters.

Try cleaning the barrel with some J-B Bore Paste. It will help get the bore back in condition.

adamsdad · 10-20-2006, 06:03 AM

Thanks for the help everyone. Good Hunting