I feel like the new guy here. I believe I have been registered since 2016 and this is my first post. I come here quite often for info. Most of my shooting for quite some time has been done with side lock muzzleloaders. My casting is simply 54 & 58 cal. roundballs. I do have some 58 cal. bullet molds that I have never tried. No need for the heavy bullets as either size ball is plenty for white-tailed deer.
I have a 30-40 Krag manufactured in 1902 that I inherited when my dad passed in 2002. It is the rifle carried by my grandfather in WW1. As long as I can remember, when cleaning our other guns, the Krag always got a few patches with solvent down the bore to remove old oil, then dried and a light coat of new oil. All exterior metal was lightly oiled and a coat wax was applied to the stock. I have continued to do the same. This seemed like fair maintenance since the gun has not been fired in the 67 years that I have been on earth. The gun appears to be in very good condition for its 100+ years. Only small dings in the stock and no cracks. The metal has a nice patina and everything functions. The bolt is very smooth as is typical of these guns. The recessed area that encircles the cartridge rim is unbroken and the trigger has nice pull.
I recently purchased a bore scope mainly for use with my muzzleloaders and of coarse it would be handy for all of our guns. I had the Krag out doing its normal cleaning and thought I would have a really good look at the bore. My first look appears to be erosion and lots of pitting. My heart sank. After I got the focus adjusted it became apparent that what I was seeing was higher than the lands. It is apparently lead or copper buildup. I am hoping that this is the lesser of the 2 evils as it should be able to be removed. My understanding is that the military ammo was jacketed which should be yellow. This appears to be lead and in areas looks like solder splatter. If the military ammo was jacketed, God only knows what may have been fired through this gun at some point in time after the war. With the scope you can also see where the grooves are completely filled in. At the muzzle I can see the tops of the lands. I measured the minor diameter of the bore and it is at .3007 fairly consistently with a small hole gage and mic as deeply as I could measure which was not very. Maybe 4".
I realize that a bore scope can make a speck of dust look like Mt. Everest. I have looked at new barrels and you can see every scratch and tool mark. You have to learn to interpret what you are seeing. In the case of my Krag it has shown me what I hoped not to see but needed to know. Please keep in mind that I do not believe this is due to recent neglect. We had no endoscopes or bore scopes when this rifle came into either mine or my dads care. There is no bore light that could ever show the detail in this barrel. Do I believe everyone needs a bore scope. Not unless you want one. I did fine with the "keep going til the patch comes out clean" method for years. My purchase was to watch my muzzleloaders for erosion around the touch holes on my flintlocks and rust as these things are cleaned with water. It happened to come in handy for the Krag.
Now for the questions. I came here for your help.
What solvent would you guys recommend to remove this buildup? No ammonia please. Safe stuff only. I don't care how much scrubbing I have to do or how long it needs to soak. Is it true that Kroil works well for this? Are the nickel plated bore brushes safe for the steel of older rifle barrels?
I am interested in any tips or suggestions that anyone has. I may never fire this gun no matter the outcome but it is important to me to make an effort to make her as good as I can.
I apologize for being so long winded. This is what happens when you join a group and wait 7 years to make your first post.
Thanks in advance to all who care to respond.
Take care,
Ed