I don't know the answer to your last question. When I had my Ruger #1 in 450/400 the only jacketed bullets I loaded were Hornady and yes, they heavily copper plated the lands and yes, it was difficult to remove. I never had that issue with Hornady before but, I switched to Sierra in the mid to late 80's so maybe something changed between then and the early 2000's when I got the 450/400, I don't know.

 

No, Hornady doesn't use a different formula.

 

Try some WipeOut foaming bore cleaner. It's IMO the best copper solvent, or at least as good as the best and better than the rest.

It's so good in fact that my .243 varmint rifle with it's nearly shot out barrel now take at least 10 rounds of foulers to get back to bug hole groups instead of just a couple using 58 grain Vmax's.

RJ

 

Try some WipeOut foaming bore cleaner. It's IMO the best copper solvent, or at least as good as the best and better than the rest.

It's so good in fact that my .243 varmint rifle with it's nearly shot out barrel now take at least 10 rounds of foulers to get back to bug hole groups instead of just a couple using 58 grain Vmax's.

RJ

I use Hornady brand bullets, and I don't have a problem with copper build-up or deposits in any of my rifles. I do clean the bores of my rifles with Hopps' #9 bore cleaner after shooting, even if I just fire a few shots.

 

Great idea @Davers 👍🏼 just to get rid of the carbon fouling.

Plus the pleasant aroma is very therapeutic.

RJ

 

Correct, you have to remove carbon fouling, before you address the copper fouling.

 

I think you just need to get more scientific about the "why part" oldcodger.
There is a reason!

 

You might need some 'slick-em' like J-B bore paste?
Then that barrel will foul less than a poodle passing a jellybean.

 

Start bare-naked metal clean so to have a base you can return to for comparison of bullets.
Makes no difference "how" you get there. Just do.
Shoot. Then do again.
Change only one thing at a time.

 

Sometimes using cast lead bullets, especially in a "New" bore, will help smooth out the bore. But, the bore of the rifle must be cleaned after firing a few rounds. I once had a new Winchester M-70 that fouled badly with copper, I ordered a treatment pastelike bullet coating substance, that when placed on lead bullets and fired at a low velocity, worked very good at removing/preventing copper fouling. You can also get bullets that are already coated which also work. STILL you need to clean your barrels bore with regular bore cleaner like Hopps #9, when using jacketed bullets at higher velocities.

 

With WipeOut I can do both in one pass. But with Hoppe's I can just "worry" about the carbon in my .243 (700VLS and "main" prairie dog rifle).

A bore snake used to do the trick in the field but now doesn't work as well as it did. I'm sure the throat is pretty much toast.

RJ