Stiener
Member
I have a Ruger Vaquero that has devolped 2 rings on the barrel. This is a high polished stainless. Wondering what would cause it. Wondering if from heat? Is it normal? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Barrel Discoloration
- Thread starter Stiener
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Almost looks like a small bulge Do you shoot light loads with jacketed bullets?
I don't recall seeing anything like that before. In any case I don't think it could be anything good. If the barrel doesn't have a bulge then it does look like a heat problem but unless you're using Lil'Gun I don't see how...
I don't recall seeing anything like that before. In any case I don't think it could be anything good. If the barrel doesn't have a bulge then it does look like a heat problem but unless you're using Lil'Gun I don't see how...
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ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I agree, it does look like a small bulge. Have you looked down the barrel with a strong light or even a barrel scope?
Pisgah
Member
Sure looks ringed from here ... :-(
9
9
I'm thinking the same thing, bulged barrel. Were you shooting some really light reloads, light enough that at least one bullet or bullet jacket did not make it out of the barrel before then next bullet did?
gwpercle
Member
That ain't good ... it looks like a bulge !
Anything slightly unusual happen at the shooting range ?
Gary
Anything slightly unusual happen at the shooting range ?
Gary
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Oddly enough, a ringed barrel might shoot just as well as it did before the OOPS. OTOH, maybe it won't.
If you're being extra cautious, a return to the factory will take care of it one way or the other. Decades ago I replaced the barrel on a model 28 for a customer who claimed it was ringed. Decades later, still can't see any signs of a ring, but I often wondered how the threaded shank/tenon got past inspectors.
If you're being extra cautious, a return to the factory will take care of it one way or the other. Decades ago I replaced the barrel on a model 28 for a customer who claimed it was ringed. Decades later, still can't see any signs of a ring, but I often wondered how the threaded shank/tenon got past inspectors.
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Make sure the cylinder is unloaded.
Remove the cylinder.
Wrap a very tight cloth patch onto a cleaning rod and run it down the bore.
Slowly when you get close to the 'ring'.
If it is in fact a bulge, the tight fitting patch on the cleaning rod will then suddenly move forward thru the bulged (enlarged) area with little resistance.
You should also be able to feel a bulge in the bbl by very lightly dragging your fingers down the surface of the bbl. When you come to a bulge, your fingers will easily feel the change in contour of the surface.
Sometimes a bulge can be very hard to see, but it can still be felt.
Lastly hold the bbl at a very low angle to your eye and look along the surface.
You will have to look down the outside surface of the SA bbl from the muzzle end as the frame is in the way.
You should be able to see any slight bulge in the surface especially on a high polish.
Remove the cylinder.
Wrap a very tight cloth patch onto a cleaning rod and run it down the bore.
Slowly when you get close to the 'ring'.
If it is in fact a bulge, the tight fitting patch on the cleaning rod will then suddenly move forward thru the bulged (enlarged) area with little resistance.
You should also be able to feel a bulge in the bbl by very lightly dragging your fingers down the surface of the bbl. When you come to a bulge, your fingers will easily feel the change in contour of the surface.
Sometimes a bulge can be very hard to see, but it can still be felt.
Lastly hold the bbl at a very low angle to your eye and look along the surface.
You will have to look down the outside surface of the SA bbl from the muzzle end as the frame is in the way.
You should be able to see any slight bulge in the surface especially on a high polish.
^^^^^
In addition you might try a short perfectly flat straight edge, on the possible bulge area, and see if it wobbles a bit fore and aft.
In addition you might try a short perfectly flat straight edge, on the possible bulge area, and see if it wobbles a bit fore and aft.
__steve__
Member
A crude quantitative measure by measuring barrel OD every cm along the barrel length may show signs of anomalies inside of it if it did suddenly change over the ringed area.
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