Lemoyne,
I really don't know much about using JB. I just ordered it. According to what I've read (of course, according to the manufacturer) they claim it is finer than jewlers rouge. I certainly don't want to cause any damage. You feel that it's not true?

"If you just want to polish it a little use jewlers rouge you can pick it up at a hardware store where they sell polishing wheels and such. Lee"

Bingo, Lee. Get mine at Hobby Lobby. Savage centerfire barrels are usually very accurate but are often very rough: I use jeweler's rouge on a patch to get the roughness out. Also smoothed out several Encore barrels, including my own with it.

We used to shoot benchrest and JB was one of the items everyones shooting box had. When mixed with oil it can be made in any texture you want. I suppose any polishing compound would work but for me JB is what I will use.

Old/New, a lot depends on what you wish to accomplish, from reading your first post I got the impression that you did not have a problem and just wanted to a better polish than the new barrel comes with. If you have burrs or tool marks to contend with then I would start with JB and clean it up,now thats as far as most go, I personally load very tight and try for extreme accuracy so I want a mirror finish. I have no arguement with anybody on this because in the end it boils down to what a person wants to end up with. I do feel if you need to remove some metal as in tool marks or burrs JB is best, I also feel that where it leaves off is where the jewlers rouge starts.
Lee

try 0000steel wool raped on a old brush with JB .

Thanks...I think I've got a use for it then!

As mentioned I believe jewelers rouge comes in multiple grits so I would be careful just buying something over the counter at a hardware store unless you and the sales people really know what you are buying. I will still stick with the JB when needed as I did not feel that it was very aggressive. My Omega barrel was pretty rough and being stainless that is somewhat to be expected as stainless is a little harder to machine smooth than carbon steel. Thanks for all the opinions. I was pretty sure this would shake out with several slants on how and what to use. I am sure that just shooting a lot of lead conicals will accomplish the same thing over time and is probably safer if you have the time.

MLKeith, you are correct and maybe I should have mentioned that,I sort of assumed it was commenly known, I us JB first and then the finest grade og jewelers rouge. Lee

i was always warned that jewlers rouge can get into the metal pores and stay there while jb is safe and wont embed into the metal. the gunsmith at gander mountain i spoke to will only use jb bore paste.

liquidorange,Never heard of that problem before have been using it for 40 years. Lee