WTK

[Rats]

I recently bought some surplus sa ammo in 308. I took 1 of the rounds apart and found that the bullet is an open base design. When i cleaned the rifle after shooting this ammo it did have black as hell deposits in it but it cleaned up in a matter of a few minutes and was really easy to get clean. My question is, is the black fouling in the barrel lead? PAT

[Tom S]

Well....I have shot plenty of "open base" FMJ style bullets, both Izzy and FN manufacture. I have never had any "fouling" problems? I am going out on a limb to suggest that you are most likely experiencing fouling due to the powder in the "surplus" ammo not igniting completely-leaving behind the bits and fragments in the barrel which you found.....

It would be interesting to run some of those rounds through a chronograph to see if they are "up to speed?" The powder may have "gone bad!"

[Rats]

I inspected the empty cases and found no sign of unburnt powder. I beleave it is a combo of a SMALL amount of lead that melts at the time of ignition and the regular powder residue from the burning of the powder. The powder in the sa 308 ammo is a very short stick, almost ball but still had an elongated form somewhat of a barrel shape. PAT

[Tom S]

Do you handload? If so, "pull" a couple of those bullets and reload them into clean cases with some Win 748, BL-C(2) or 4895. About 43grains of either will do. Fire those "open base bullets" with some GOOD FRESH powder and see if you get the same barrel fouling.........If you still do, then the lead in those bullets must be awful soft!

I never, repeat never! have experienced the type of barrel fouling you describe with any rifle using non-corrosive powders?