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What is copper fouling and how does it affect the accuracy?
Copper fouling is a deposit of copper on the surface of the bore. It is caused by the firing of copper-jacketed bullets. The hot gases from the burning powder leave a thin layer of copper on the bore. This build-up of copper can cause increased pressure and less accuracy in your shots.
How much does copper fouling affect accuracy?
Copper fouling can make your shots less accurate by a small or large degree, depending on how severe it is.
It can have a significant impact on the accuracy of a firearm. Even a small amount of copper build-up can cause bullets to veer off course. The reason is that copper is softer than lead, and it expands when heated. This causes the copper to deposit unevenly on the surface of the bullet, which leads to the bullet spinning out of control. The result is that shots fired from a fouled firearm can be highly inaccurate.
Reducing copper fouling, ensuring rifle accuracy, and some precautions
There are a few things you can do to ensure the accuracy of your rifle. One is to keep the barrel clean and free of copper fouling. This can be done by using a bore brush and solvent to clean the barrel after each use. You can also use copper-removing solvents to clean the barrel periodically.
Another way to reduce copper fouling is to use jacketed bullets that have a harder surface. These types of bullets are less likely to cause fouling because they don’t deposit as much copper on the bore. Finally, you can take some precautions when shooting to avoid copper fouling. For example, you can avoid rapid fire and high temperatures, which can cause the copper to build up more quickly.
Readers will find 8 tips on cleaning a barrel after a shooting session below:
1) Brush with a bore brush of the appropriate caliber to loosen tough deposits.
2) Push patches through the bore to remove debris, gently.
3) Apply a copper-removing solution to break down copper fouling.
4) Apply solvent-dipped patch to remove all traces of cleaner.
5) Push a dry patch through the bore to remove any residue.
6) Lubricate the bore with a high quality gun oil.
7) Apply a thin layer of grease to the muzzle to protect a barrel from rust.
8) Assemble the firearm and store the firearm in a safe place.
Copper fouling can decrease the accuracy of your rifle. Keep the barrel clean and free of copper build-up to increase the probability of precise shots.