is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

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is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by YAREYARE » 13 Jul 2022, 8:01 pm

Hi All.

Sorry if this isnt the right place for this but i was wondering if anyone knows if there is anything particularly nasty in heat shrink tubing that would do the bore of my rifles any harm. i tried making some rifle rods to get more usable space in my safe. basically i just have brass rods that i put a bit of heat shrink over that velcro to my roof of the safe. Worked pretty well, went from struggling to fit 8 with the wall spacer to looking like i could fit 10 pretty easily now.

(if anyone one is curious my collection has a
cz 452 .22,
Henry .22,
marlin .17,
miroku 12ga
Lithgow .303
type 99 arisaka
sweedish m96 6.5
and a tikka t3x .204 at the gunsmith being fitted and pillared to a boyds stock
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Re: is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by bigpete » 13 Jul 2022, 8:34 pm

Its only plastic...
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Re: is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by Oldbloke » 13 Jul 2022, 9:36 pm

If the rods are brass you don't need anything. Use "as is".
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Re: is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by JohnV » 14 Jul 2022, 11:45 am

Not keen on that idea . It could have unforeseen affects on the lubrication inside the bore . I can't say I have had any experience in this matter or point to any specific problem but I just don't like it .
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Re: is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by YAREYARE » 14 Jul 2022, 10:15 pm

Oldbloke wrote:If the rods are brass you don't need anything. Use "as is".

True. the heat shrink is more to make up a little more space in the bore as the rods a little undersized. plus even though I know brass wont hurt the rifling, just the though of metal scraping in and out makes me cringe a little
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Re: is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by No1_49er » 14 Jul 2022, 11:20 pm

Here's some thoughts for you.
Brass is a relatively soft metal compared to the steel of the barrel. Unlikely to cause any problem.
A copper projectile will get the hurry up and whistle down the bore at a couple of thousand feet per second. No problem.
A brass cartridge case will be inserted into, and extracted from, the rifle chamber. Not usually a problem.
A brass rod can easily be wiped clean prior to insertion into the bore. Shouldn't be a problem.
But consider this. The heat-shrink plastic is much softer than the brass. Hard/gritty particles could become embedded in the plastic and might then abrade the crown or bore.
If it were me, I'd be inclined to use naked brass.
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Re: is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by Gamerancher » 15 Jul 2022, 9:18 am

Also, depending on the quality of the heat-shrink, it can be affected by oils and solvents. I've seen some of it it turn into a sticky goo on the underground machinery I used to work on.
Certainly wouldn't want that down the bore.
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Re: is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by YAREYARE » 15 Jul 2022, 4:35 pm

No1_49er wrote:Here's some thoughts for you.
Brass is a relatively soft metal compared to the steel of the barrel. Unlikely to cause any problem.
A copper projectile will get the hurry up and whistle down the bore at a couple of thousand feet per second. No problem.
A brass cartridge case will be inserted into, and extracted from, the rifle chamber. Not usually a problem.
A brass rod can easily be wiped clean prior to insertion into the bore. Shouldn't be a problem.
But consider this. The heat-shrink plastic is much softer than the brass. Hard/gritty particles could become embedded in the plastic and might then abrade the crown or bore.
If it were me, I'd be inclined to use naked brass.

very goo points, i might remove the heat shrink and get thicker brass rods when i cant get around to it
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Re: is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by YAREYARE » 15 Jul 2022, 4:36 pm

Gamerancher wrote:Also, depending on the quality of the heat-shrink, it can be affected by oils and solvents. I've seen some of it it turn into a sticky goo on the underground machinery I used to work on.
Certainly wouldn't want that down the bore.

honestly didnt even think of that. i was more worried about something leeching out of the heat shrink. cleaning out a rubber sticky goo would be a massive pain in the arse
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Re: is heat shrink safe for rifle bores?

Post by JohnV » 15 Jul 2022, 6:06 pm

I don't like this whole idea . I think it could have unforeseen affects .
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