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Received our new Criterion barrel in 20 Practical from Jim the other day.
After shooting 200 rounds through the gun, being very careful with break-in, I have yet to see any copper out of this barrel.
Using Barnes solvent, a nylon brush and a coated rod. At most, and even this is iffy, some of the early patches may have had a very light blue/green tint. Other than that, nothing.
Shooting 39gr SBKs and 40gr Vmax fwiw.
I would second that. Shooting two my self. 6.5-284
Dont go 200 rounds but 30-40 round count then clean. No blue on patch with Butch's bore shine and whipe out.
Same deal with mine ;) just under 200 rounds and not a hint of copper. I would have doubted it before I got this barrel.
Sorry to not be clear, have cleaned the barrel multiple times, total rond count is now at 200.
I'm a little lazy about "proper" breaking in a barrel. Just not too crazy about
shooting once, cleaning, shooting another, cleaning, etc. Shot a new 7mm-08
barrel to eight shots after cleaning the new barrel, then cleaned again. There
was only a smidge of copper which easily cleaned out. This one cleaned easier
than any barrel I have, including factory barrels, a Shilen, a Douglas, a
Montana Rifle Co. barrel, and a McGowen. A PacNor came in a close second
with ease and time of cleaning. After a three-shot fouling and scope
adjustment, it's first 5-shot group of 1/2" with no load work up really was
pleasing!
I am sold on Criterion and anxiously await the day they make .40 and .45
barrels.
No copper in mine, I use a modified 10 shot, clean 10 shot clean for first 100 rounds. Its a 6mmBR Norma, and my first 20 or so rounds were 0.5", but now, I'm holding 0.3" single raggedy hole groups! I believe it will do better, its just shooter limited. This is a Savage 12 in factory laminate stock, next build is already being planned, which again will be a Criterion. I knew they'd be good, as my LRB M14 is barreled with a medium contour Criterion, but I just didn't expect them to be THIS GOOD!
Couldn't agree more. This rifle is way more accurate than I am. Next build will be with a Savage PTA and Criterion barrel from Jim.
Between me and my PD partner we have 3 different 20 Prac barrels from 3 different barrel makers and NONE of them ever get copper fouled.
As an interesting side point; in fireforming 300 cases have seen no measurable stretching. For new brass that is pretty impressive to me.