how to slug a barrel?

[John in WI]

I have a home-built AK that has not worked properly since day one. One problem is that it doesn't seem to want to eject properly (but that's a different story).

The question I have here is--how do I slug a chamber and bore, and what can I hope to learn from it? The problem is, at 20 paces it's throwing lead all over the place and 8 out of 10 of the holes on cardboard showed they were hitting sideways. It seems like they are literally coming out of the barrel tumbling?!

I checked the muzzle device by installing a wooden dowel in the barrel, and the brake looks perfectly centered. So it's not a clearance problem. The crown looks ok too.

Other info that might be useful--the barrel is a US made, non-chrome lined 7.62x39 from a well known AK parts/accessory dealer. The machining looks fine and I had a smith double check the head space.

Thanks for any advice--I know AK's aren't tack drivers--but this thing is throwing 2' groups at 20 yards.

[500MAG]

First, lube the barrel and slug. Tap the slug into the barrel with a wooden or plastic mallet. push the slug thru the bore with a metal rod wrapped with electrical tape to prevent damage to rifling, DON'T use a wood dowel. measure the groove on the slug from one side to other. Do not measure the land, measure the groove. Reasons for slugging: To determine how much wear the barrel has and also, because just because they are suppose to be a specific caliber it doesn't mean they actually shoot the size they should.

[John in WI]

Thanks for the info--I'm wondering, how do you actually "slug" the barrel? I know it involves pouring lead into the barrel and knocking it out after it cools, but what do you use to plug the barrel? Does it matter where over the length you pour the slug?

It shouldn't be an issue with wear as the barrel is of new manufacture. I'm just hoping it's not a few thousandths oversized because I'm not sure what I could do with that!

[duckndawg]

find an egg sinker that is just a little bigger than the bore. lube the barrel and basically pound the sinker down the barrel. as suggested use a steel rod SMALLER than the bore wrapped in elect. tape to protect the rifling. then meausure it. no need to pour lead in the barrel.

[RG1911]

Why would you not use a wood dowel to drive the slug through the bore?

Richard

[Jim]

It will split on the bias and jam in the bore.

[RG1911]

D--n good reason to use a wrapped steel rod.

Richard