I also have noticed the barrel is very smooth when cleaning it. It is a .270 I got for my 14 yr old son. The barrel cleans up way better than my Savage 12 fv. I like the gun but they need a recoil pad on it. Shoots good too. My only 5 shot group at 200 yds when new was 3 1/4" with a hot barrel. My son does 2" @ 100. Not bad for him.