How Well Do you Know Your Barrel(s)?

[RM100GUY]

Barrel polishing?

Would like some input on barrel polishing. Have seen some videos extolling the virtues of barrel polishing. They are claiming greater accuracy, and yet, I talk to some air gunners and they rarely even clean their barrels. Throw in sizing, sorting, cleaning, lubing, testing a plethora of pellets...

www.airgunnation.com

Opening a can of worms but IMHO...Different standards for individuals accuracy and what is "good" for them. Take the three group's beginning this thread...the two dime sized groups are sparrow head capable forever more at 30+ yards with no cleaning...ever...would thrill some people to death...myself I would be ashamed and throw that gun away if it wouldn't do better than that...that is the defined dynamic...different for different people...Barrel polishing...I was machinist for 38 years and know something about metal...I believe in polishing with the correct medium...my best three barrels...Veteran standard Bobcat. 25 and Huntsman Regal .177 (best of the lot) have all been polished by me...If an individual is satisfied with the two dime groups I doubt if polishing would impress them...the overlapping clean barrel group (not polished) is no where near THAT barrels (or my) best potential because of the heavy trigger unsorted pellets 18X scope and ridicules bench and bag system I was using even a bit of wind...I just target shoot for fun...but been doing it 60 years and still enjoy it....and pretty good at it...IMHO...LOL!

 

[orangeokie]

You are not opening a can of worms as far as I am concerned. I think alot of the run of the mill pellet shooters enjoy cleaning or polishing their barrels. For me it gives me a special feeling and ck. expectation that I am going to get a little boost in accuracy. I equate it to the feeling I get when I change the oil and filter in my truck. It just "feels good." Machinists are like engineers in alot of ways. The must pay attention to the "minutia" of fit and finish, on most of the projects for which they are responsible. I get it. I am more of a generalist when it comes to my guns.

 

[nervoustrig]

For what it’s worth, my experience has been that polishing the bore has very little effect on accuracy, except to the extent the barrel may go longer between cleanings before accuracy degrades. Reason being that polishing does not alter the bore dimensions, i.e. tight spots or loose spots. It only changes the surface quality.

To produce a meaningful change in accuracy potential, lapping is necessary to bring the bore into better uniformity or develop a slight taper.

 

[tommyb]

For what it’s worth, my experience has been that polishing the bore has very little effect on accuracy, except to the extent the barrel may go longer between cleanings before accuracy degrades. Reason being that polishing does not alter the bore dimensions, i.e. tight spots or loose spots. It only changes the surface quality.

To produce a meaningful change in accuracy potential, lapping is necessary to bring the bore into better uniformity or develop a slight taper.

And, I trust your experience given all that you have posted on gun cleaning and polishing.

 

[nervoustrig]

I’m still very new to lapping but the little bit I’ve learned suggests I’m embarking on a new frontier to better accuracy.

 

[RM100GUY]

Another good example...I knew within three or four shots that this smooth twist Bobcat .25 barrel needed cleaned...I've been shooting this Bobcat YEARS longer than that Huntsman...not sure how many shots since last cleaned but note the difference...Had my wife take a picture of my favorite shooting position...doesn't look comfortable but it had been working for me for years...the two groups were shot during this session...from

this position.