Barrel slugging with a steel rod

[brnomauser]

I'm about to slug the barrel on my HVA 1640 30-06. I have some 6mm steel rod lying around. What are people's opinions on using this to drive the slug? If it's a bad idea what do people like using for slugging 30-06?

I thought steel would be good because it won't snap and splinter. As long as I'm careful not to damage the throat when I'm starting, I can't see it doing any damage. The barrel should be harder than mild steel...

[stubshaft]

To insure that you don't damage the bore I would suggest wrapping it with electrical tape and knock off the sharp corner on the tip.

[462]

Brass could be better. However, if steel is all you have, do as stubshaft mentioned.

[cbrick]

Yep, electrical tape. The purpose is to assure that when the rod flexes inside the bore (and it will) that no part of the steel rod comes into contact with the edges if the rifling. Therefore wrap the entire rod.

Rick

[turbo1889]

My favorite combination is a steel rod (AKA: Piano Wire) inside a copper tube sleeve (AKA: Copper Water Pipe).

[brnomauser]

My favorite combination is a steel rod (AKA: Piano Wire) inside a copper tube sleeve (AKA: Copper Water Pipe).
That's going to have to be small tube to fit inside a 30-06 bore. I'll try the electrical tape one. Thanks guys

[turbo1889]

Not really, just get some of the soft rolled copper tubing that is 1/4" outside diameter and 3/16" inside diameter and put a length of 3/16" piano wire inside and it works fine and dandy for 7mm through 35-cal. guns. Larger sizes of tubing and rod are used for bigger stuff all the way up to 5/8"-OD by 1/2"-ID for 12ga.

[Mk42gunner]

I usually start the slug into the bore with a brass punch, then push it through with a steel cleaning rod.

Robert

[MtGun44]

1/4" steel rod rammed and hammered into a .25ACP case with a 5-6 2 layer rings of masking
or electrical tape will work perfectly. The .25 ACP case is on the front end that touches
the slug to guide the rod in a soft brass "shoe". Can't hurt the bbl that way.

Wood dowels for pistols can work, but for the smaller diameters and much longer length,
dowels can and have sheared on long angles and the two pieces wedge in solid if you
miss the failure and hit it a few more times. Having a wooden rod wedged solid into your
barrel is not something you want to do.

Bill

[Catshooter]

Brass. Brass is the answer you really want. If the tape fails on the steel rod . . . is it worth it?


Cat

[XWrench3]

my 2 cents worth, brass, aluminum, hardwood, ANYTHING softer than STEEL!

[zuke]

Never ever use wood for rifle's.