Help wanted on barrel issue

101guns · July 15, 2007, 12:18 PM

Any help would be appreciated.

I recently purchased a Browning A-Bolt Medalion at a local pawn shop. Price was reasonable, especially with the like new 3x9 Swift scope mounted...$299 + tax. I didn't have my bore light with me but used the white paper trick. Looked acceptable. Got it home and its not what i wanted it to be. Obviously shot a lot.

Any suggestions as to where I could purchase a barrel? Would it be cheaper to have the existing one rebored? What calibers could i rebore to? Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. This model is the short-stocked one. I got it for my kid to use so I would want to keep it in a recoil-friendly caliber for her to shoot.

I am a shooter....load, shoot and clean...take everything else to a professional. So I appologize if I am asking stupid questions.

Thanks

williamd · July 15, 2007, 12:36 PM

First, clean the heck out of it and go try it. I have had some that looked bad that shot well. But, if you gotta a re-bbl is better than a rebore!

James K · July 15, 2007, 12:40 PM

I wonder if the barrel is really bad. That is a modern gun, and it sounds like it was given reasonable care. It is not likely to have been fired with corrosive primed ammunition. I suggest first cleaning the bore; if it is very dirty you can try having it cleaned using an electric bore cleaner. Then you can make a judgement knowing what you have to work with.

Re-boring a barrel sounds easy and the subject is brought up all the time. But there are few places that do it, and they are usually backlogged for months, if not years. (I distrust people on web sites that tell us their brother-in-law does it all the time with a twist drill welded to a cleaning rod.) Further, even if you find someone who will rebore, re-rifle and rechamber, the cost will be more than a new barrel. (Yes, I know the B-i-L only charges $29.)

If you find that the barrel is really shot, contact Browning. As long as the caliber you want is a factory option and compatible with the rest of the gun, they might be willing to install a new barrel at a reasonable price. If you want a caliber change that would require extensive changes, like .223 to .375 H&H, they probably won't do it.

Having a gunsmith do the rebarrelling will cost somewhere around what you paid for the rifle. (Yes, I know, the brother-in-law....)

So my recommendation: If the barrel is really bad and won't clean up, trade the gun on another one in better shape.

Jim

Martyn4802 · July 15, 2007, 01:49 PM

I would scrub the bore good with JB Bore Paste (100 strokes with a tight fitting patch), then shoot the rifle to see how it does.

Martyn

Slopemeno · July 16, 2007, 12:23 AM

Exactly- SHOOT it first. I've seen some sketchy looking bores shoot decent groups. And a cleaning first is a great idea.

nate45 · July 16, 2007, 01:22 AM

Yes if you like whatever caliber its in shoot it, if you get 1.5in or better groups at 100yds its fine. Remember to check the tightness of you scope mounts and rings. I always also like to take a rifle out of its stock and make sure its not rubbing anywhere if it is use medium sand paper and make sure when you put it back together you tighten the screws nice and tight.

July 15, 2007, 12:18 PM	#1
101guns Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 228	Help wanted on barrel issue Any help would be appreciated. I recently purchased a Browning A-Bolt Medalion at a local pawn shop. Price was reasonable, especially with the like new 3x9 Swift scope mounted...$299 + tax. I didn't have my bore light with me but used the white paper trick. Looked acceptable. Got it home and its not what i wanted it to be. Obviously shot a lot. Any suggestions as to where I could purchase a barrel? Would it be cheaper to have the existing one rebored? What calibers could i rebore to? Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. This model is the short-stocked one. I got it for my kid to use so I would want to keep it in a recoil-friendly caliber for her to shoot. I am a shooter....load, shoot and clean...take everything else to a professional. So I appologize if I am asking stupid questions. Thanks

July 15, 2007, 12:36 PM	#2
williamd Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 801	First, clean the heck out of it and go try it. I have had some that looked bad that shot well. But, if you gotta a re-bbl is better than a rebore! __________________ "Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!" Unfortunately, we may be moving in that direction. NRA Benefactor, Conservative!, VN '64-'65. Never sell a gun or a car ... and retire rich!

July 15, 2007, 01:49 PM	#4
Martyn4802 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Grayling, Michigan Posts: 737	I would scrub the bore good with JB Bore Paste (100 strokes with a tight fitting patch), then shoot the rifle to see how it does. Martyn __________________ US Army Retired NRA Benefactor Life Member JPFO

July 16, 2007, 01:22 AM	#6
nate45 Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,746	Yes if you like whatever caliber its in shoot it, if you get 1.5in or better groups at 100yds its fine. Remember to check the tightness of you scope mounts and rings. I always also like to take a rifle out of its stock and make sure its not rubbing anywhere if it is use medium sand paper and make sure when you put it back together you tighten the screws nice and tight. __________________ "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."- Thomas Jefferson ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ (>_<)

July 15, 2007, 12:40 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I wonder if the barrel is really bad. That is a modern gun, and it sounds like it was given reasonable care. It is not likely to have been fired with corrosive primed ammunition. I suggest first cleaning the bore; if it is very dirty you can try having it cleaned using an electric bore cleaner. Then you can make a judgement knowing what you have to work with. Re-boring a barrel sounds easy and the subject is brought up all the time. But there are few places that do it, and they are usually backlogged for months, if not years. (I distrust people on web sites that tell us their brother-in-law does it all the time with a twist drill welded to a cleaning rod.) Further, even if you find someone who will rebore, re-rifle and rechamber, the cost will be more than a new barrel. (Yes, I know the B-i-L only charges $29.) If you find that the barrel is really shot, contact Browning. As long as the caliber you want is a factory option and compatible with the rest of the gun, they might be willing to install a new barrel at a reasonable price. If you want a caliber change that would require extensive changes, like .223 to .375 H&H, they probably won't do it. Having a gunsmith do the rebarrelling will cost somewhere around what you paid for the rifle. (Yes, I know, the brother-in-law....) So my recommendation: If the barrel is really bad and won't clean up, trade the gun on another one in better shape. Jim

July 16, 2007, 12:23 AM	#5
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	Exactly- SHOOT it first. I've seen some sketchy looking bores shoot decent groups. And a cleaning first is a great idea.