Is a scratched ring normal in a bolt action rimfire?

MissSkeeter · January 4, 2021, 02:14 PM

I have a Remington 581S 22 rimfire bolt action rifle.
With a borescope the rifling and crown look good.

There is a 360 degree ring of scratches just past
the start of the rifling in the throat area of the barrel.
Attached photo is looking from throat towards muzzle.
Is this normal in a 22? Thanks.

**4V50 Gary** · January 4, 2021, 03:42 PM

Sounds like the reamer needs replacing (or they failed to clean it regularly).

MissSkeeter · January 4, 2021, 06:47 PM

From another forum, the likely cause is using CCI Stingers.
The cases from Stingers is 0.010" longer than conventional 22LR cases.
That is likely the cause of the ring of scratches just into the rifling in the throat.

I ordered a new barrel for $60 to see if that will improve the accuracy.
The Remington 581S has a reputation for good accuracy and I have not seen it with this rifle.

laytonj1 · January 4, 2021, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissSkeeter

From another forum, the likely cause is using CCI Stingers.
The cases from Stingers is 0.010" longer than conventional 22LR cases.
That is likely the cause of the ring of scratches just into the rifling in the throat.

I ordered a new barrel for $60 to see if that will improve the accuracy.
The Remington 581S has a reputation for good accuracy and I have not seen it with this rifle.

A brass case is not going to scratch barrel steel.

Jim

**4V50 Gary** · January 4, 2021, 08:04 PM

Concur, brass won't scratch steel. Now I'm wondering if it's lead build up?

Scorch · January 5, 2021, 01:00 AM

That looks like there was something on the reamer pilot that scratched the bore. If nickel plating on brass cases scratched the bore, it would be visible up to the ring you mention as well.

DnPRK · January 5, 2021, 03:52 AM

Those aren't scratches in the chamber/throat. That is a lead and carbon ring which commonly forms just in front of the case mouth of 22LR ammo.

MissSkeeter · January 5, 2021, 11:05 AM

Here is another photo from a different perspective.

**Unclenick** · January 5, 2021, 10:32 PM

If you could get a better focus on that last shot, it would help. To my eye, it just looks like the throat was scored badly by a reamer run in too fast or with too little lubrication. A way to tell is with light firelapping. Clean the bore as thoroughly as you can. Take maybe five standard-velocity rounds and roll the bullets between two flat pieces of steel with some 400-grit silicone compound lapping compound to embed them and then fire them, reclean, and see if you can see where the abrasive started to take the peaks of the scored area down. You can repeat that until the scored grooves are gone or close to it, then switch to finer compounds to polish it a bit. Then see how it shoots for you.

Scorch · January 5, 2021, 10:57 PM

Quote:

From another forum, the likely cause is using CCI Stingers.
The cases from Stingers is 0.010" longer than conventional 22LR cases.
That is likely the cause of the ring of scratches just into the rifling in the throat.

Although the cases of Stinger ammo may be longer than standard 22LR cases, since it is a heeled round the case is still within the chamber, it does not extend into the rifling. The critical dimension of 22LR ammo is from the case head to the shoulder of the bullet. Stinger cases are longer but the bullets are shorter, giving the same overall length.

MissSkeeter · January 5, 2021, 10:57 PM

Yes that is the consensus among gunsmiths in another forum.
Stinger case would not scratch rings in throat (brass case on steel).
Ring of scratches likely reamer drill was dull or coolant flow was low or interrupted, it would cause work hardening of the chip which appears to have hung up on the drill for a few turns.

That Remington581S had poor accuracy since I bought it new in the 1980s...

I just ordered a new 581S barrel, so hopefully that will help.
I live in Alaska so will not be shooting until snowmelts and it warms up (-15F today).

Blindstitch · January 7, 2021, 10:47 PM

Quote:

The Remington 581S has a reputation for good accuracy and I have not seen it with this rifle.

I bought one several years back because I was buying a few other guns and it was only $60. Since buying it the other 22s I have get shot a lot less. Seems to like all ammo to which I think is a bit weird but eats a diet of Golden Bullets and cci mini mags.

January 4, 2021, 03:42 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Sounds like the reamer needs replacing (or they failed to clean it regularly). __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 4, 2021, 08:04 PM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Concur, brass won't scratch steel. Now I'm wondering if it's lead build up? __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 5, 2021, 01:00 AM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	That looks like there was something on the reamer pilot that scratched the bore. If nickel plating on brass cases scratched the bore, it would be visible up to the ring you mention as well. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 5, 2021, 10:32 PM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	If you could get a better focus on that last shot, it would help. To my eye, it just looks like the throat was scored badly by a reamer run in too fast or with too little lubrication. A way to tell is with light firelapping. Clean the bore as thoroughly as you can. Take maybe five standard-velocity rounds and roll the bullets between two flat pieces of steel with some 400-grit silicone compound lapping compound to embed them and then fire them, reclean, and see if you can see where the abrasive started to take the peaks of the scored area down. You can repeat that until the scored grooves are gone or close to it, then switch to finer compounds to polish it a bit. Then see how it shoots for you. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 4, 2021, 06:47 PM	#3
MissSkeeter Junior Member Join Date: January 3, 2021 Posts: 4	From another forum, the likely cause is using CCI Stingers. The cases from Stingers is 0.010" longer than conventional 22LR cases. That is likely the cause of the ring of scratches just into the rifling in the throat. I ordered a new barrel for $60 to see if that will improve the accuracy. The Remington 581S has a reputation for good accuracy and I have not seen it with this rifle.

January 5, 2021, 03:52 AM	#7
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	Those aren't scratches in the chamber/throat. That is a lead and carbon ring which commonly forms just in front of the case mouth of 22LR ammo.

January 5, 2021, 10:57 PM	#11
MissSkeeter Junior Member Join Date: January 3, 2021 Posts: 4	Yes that is the consensus among gunsmiths in another forum. Stinger case would not scratch rings in throat (brass case on steel). Ring of scratches likely reamer drill was dull or coolant flow was low or interrupted, it would cause work hardening of the chip which appears to have hung up on the drill for a few turns. That Remington581S had poor accuracy since I bought it new in the 1980s... I just ordered a new 581S barrel, so hopefully that will help. I live in Alaska so will not be shooting until snowmelts and it warms up (-15F today).