You filthy pig!! KX3

**Ned Christiansen** · 07-30-13, 22:13

At a class last week, a friend of mine was complaining that his rifle was keyholing. It’s been doing it all summer actually, with some loads but not others. It is still a tackdriver with some loads and was previously with the loads in question. I noticed how dirty his KX3 was and suggested cleaning it…. I suspected it had been a while (confirmed—4, more like 6, K).

The moment I got it off I noted that it felt maybe 1/3 heavier than it should! I was dyin’ to see what was inside but could not get it apart. I noticed the mounting hole was carboned up too, but…. the keyholing with some loads continued which a Vortex temporarily in place. It is not an ammo issue as this ammo was working in everything else on the line—WW whitebox 55 FMJ and I think some XM 193. As I mentioned, this gun was doing very well with these loads previously. Barrel is a LaRue. The crown is perfect, muzzle face is clean, not all carboned up, rifling at muzzle looks fine, and he cleans the barrel with Wipeout. Barrel did not appear fouled...... I was not able to scope the freebore and throat though.

I’ve told him nothing lasts forever and it’s time for a new barrel….. I don’t think that’s gonna happen since it is still good with other ammo. I said “so keep shooting it until it stops keyholing then” and put the KX3 back on for him



Tried heat, Kroil, Kroil plus heat, had ‘er locked in a vise and put a large Crescent wrench on it with a cheater…. Never got it apart. The KX3 itself is made from some good tough stuff though; all this abuse and we hardly put a mark on it.

I wanted to take it home and boil it in WD40 for a while and then give it some raps and taps and try again but the owner was not ready to part with it.

**Cold** · 07-30-13, 22:25

Originally Posted by Ned Christiansen

At a class last week, a friend of mine was complaining that his rifle was keyholing. It’s been doing it all summer actually, with some loads but not others. It is still a tackdriver with some loads and was previously with the loads in question. I noticed how dirty his KX3 was and suggested cleaning it…. I suspected it had been a while (confirmed—4, more like 6, K).

The moment I got it off I noted that it felt maybe 1/3 heavier than it should! I was dyin’ to see what was inside but could not get it apart. I noticed the mounting hole was carboned up too, but…. the keyholing with some loads continued which a Vortex temporarily in place. It is not an ammo issue as this ammo was working in everything else on the line—WW whitebox 55 FMJ and I think some XM 193. As I mentioned, this gun was doing very well with these loads previously. Barrel is a LaRue. The crown is perfect, muzzle face is clean, not all carboned up, rifling at muzzle looks fine, and he cleans the barrel with Wipeout. Barrel did not appear fouled...... I was not able to scope the freebore and throat though.

I’ve told him nothing lasts forever and it’s time for a new barrel….. I don’t think that’s gonna happen since it is still good with other ammo. I said “so keep shooting it until it stops keyholing then” and put the KX3 back on for him



Tried heat, Kroil, Kroil plus heat, had ‘er locked in a vise and put a large Crescent wrench on it with a cheater…. Never got it apart. The KX3 itself is made from some good tough stuff though; all this abuse and we hardly put a mark on it.

I wanted to take it home and boil it in WD40 for a while and then give it some raps and taps and try again but the owner was not ready to part with it.

Thanks for the post Ned.

**Ned Christiansen** · 07-31-13, 02:18

Another interesting thing about it-- which also makes me think it's just about packed solid-- I've tested KX3's for flash hiding and they work pretty darned good. This one.... not so much any more. I really hope I get a chance to take it apart.

**Iraqgunz** · 07-31-13, 02:25

Ned,

Get some Froglube and put it in a small pan on the stove (low heat). Then put the KX3 in it and let sit for 6 hours or so. It will break up and dissolve alot of the carbon.

**RMiller** · 07-31-13, 07:50

Interesting. Thanks for posting!

**markm** · 07-31-13, 08:25

A little Ultra Sonic couldn't hurt it.

I've been rotating Pappabear's mounts through the U/S Cleaner over the last few weeks. It's a good jump start to caked on carbon removal.

**patrick sweeney** · 07-31-13, 12:26

I was there (and the one on the end of the 14" crescent wrench) and that device is as Ned described.

Next trip, in a week, I'll take my bore scope along and we'll see what is going on in the bore.