Replace or re-barrel - Page 2

Scorch · February 14, 2023, 05:25 PM

I'm amazed at how many people bypass the troubleshooting and jump right to their pet theory about what's wrong with the rifle. Not saying one of them isn't right, just saying it's not always your pet peeve.

To the OP I would say sit down at the workbench and troubleshoot it. Go through and torques all the screws. Clean it again. Check the crown. Then go out and put it on the bench and see how it shoots. You can pretty quickly zero in on problems if you approach them methodically.

As far as rebarreling, that's never a bad option, but its pricey. Good barrels are expensive, and gunsmith labor is expensive and everything takes time. I rebarreled a few rifles last year and nobody said it was cheaper than they expected, but to a man they said the rifle shot better than brand new.

HiBC · February 14, 2023, 09:36 PM

While I agree with your approach, Scorch, you are right..
A borescope inspection can reveal a lot. Post #20 of course is a matter of degree, but if the bore scopes alligator hide already I might just make a decision.

Scorch · February 15, 2023, 05:11 PM

Quote:

A borescope inspection can reveal a lot.

Absolutely. But most people, even a lot of gunsmiths, don't have borescopes. But if you can, definitely scope the bore.

603Country · February 15, 2023, 08:39 PM

600 or 700 rounds through the barrel don’t sound like much, but I did notice that they were Varmint bullets. If the varmints were coyotes, those rounds could have been shot over a long period. But if those rounds were shot in short time, it would do a job on the throat. Unless the borescope gives the bore a clean bill of health, I’d rebarrel.

Paul B. · February 16, 2023, 04:50 PM

The OP said about 600 or 700 rounds through the gun but one thing was never made absolutely clear. Was this a brand new rifle or one bought second hand? If the latter, how many round went through that barrel could be the reason for the barrel's alligator scarring.

I have a Winchester Model 70 that is post 64 and pre 68 that so far doesn't shoot worth spit. Like the OP, accuracy is nowhere near what I think it should be.
I may have it bore scoped sometime down the road and if it's badly scarred at the throat I'll send it out and have it rebored to something else. Maybe a 7-08, .308 or 358. However, first thing is give it the cleaning of its life.

Check the crown, screws and retorque them to the proper levels should that need to be done. I got into it really cheap so I can spare a few bucks to square it away.
Paul B.

Mongo_Bongo · February 17, 2023, 11:32 AM

As others have noted, that's not a lot of rounds. Some would say, barely broken in. In your place, I'd look for other reasons.

bamaranger · February 17, 2023, 02:03 PM

If the OP is quite certain that the original barrel has 6-700 on it, and at no point did the rate of fire get excessive or prolonged, then I would agree that there is some other problem. While the .243 is "overbore" and can be a barrel burner, as a match rifle, I would think that judicious use as a varminter should give 3-5x that barrel life, maybe more.

I'd clean the rifle...again....., I'd check all my screws, bedding, bases and rings and I'd use a torque wrench to do it. I'd inspect the crown, very carefully. I'd try another scope, one that is trusted and known by the OP to be reliable, not a borrowed scope. I might ruffle some feathers, but I'd find something other than a Bushnell. I've had bad luck with all but one Bushnell with which I've dealt. I'd fool with barrel bedding, shim the barrel channel just forward of the recoil lug, thus reducing fore end tip pressure. I'd reverse the process and shim the speedbump on the Rem fore end up front, increasing tip pressure.

I'd check my powder measure to confirm it is throwing a consistent charge.
I'd change my seating depth on my loads, increasing C.O.A.L a wee bit, chasing the lands some more.

All of the above will be cost free, excluding time and ammo.

I would not buy a Tikka, I read they have had their own quality control and barrel issues of late. The absolute last thing I would do is rebarrel at 700 rds, unless I just wanted an aftermarket premium barrel anyhow.

HiBC · February 17, 2023, 03:28 PM

The OP dropped his rifle off at his Gunsmith's. It was bore scoped.

From post #20:

Quote:

Brother in-law picked up the rifle for me last spring, I believe the diagnosis was decent amount of fire cracking/erosion and a "bad" spot in the rifling mid-barrel.

I'm not going to argue the round count. I was not there. Once again,the bore has been scoped. It is what it is.

If the bore has gone alligator skin no amount of scrubbing or screw torquing or shimming will restore the bore.

You can do all those things if you want.

Shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The OP can still shoot it.

Sounds like the rifle will take its place on the list of priorities. If and when it comes around I'd be figuring out which barrel to order and talking it over with the Gunsmith is not a bad idea.

**4V50 Gary** · February 17, 2023, 07:17 PM

Consider relining the barrel.

Scorch · February 17, 2023, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Consider relining the barrel.

Not with a high-pressure cartridge.

bamaranger · February 20, 2023, 01:38 AM

Yeah, I read post #20. A year later, the OP gets a heresay report from a family member that talked to the 'smith that scoped it.

I'd wanna see the images myself, not rely on a second hand report from a third party. The barrel may be toast, .......but at 700 rds it's a bit hard to believe.

I hope it all works out

HiBC · February 20, 2023, 07:12 AM

I have no reason to doubt the OP. If he had the rifle for 10 years,maybe he only shot it 70 rounds a year. I don't know,

For myself, its as feasible to question the round count as it is the bore scope report.

But you may be skeptical in any direction you choose.

For myself, I'm not there. My comments are based on the OP's info as given.

February 14, 2023, 05:25 PM	#26
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,215	I'm amazed at how many people bypass the troubleshooting and jump right to their pet theory about what's wrong with the rifle. Not saying one of them isn't right, just saying it's not always your pet peeve. To the OP I would say sit down at the workbench and troubleshoot it. Go through and torques all the screws. Clean it again. Check the crown. Then go out and put it on the bench and see how it shoots. You can pretty quickly zero in on problems if you approach them methodically. As far as rebarreling, that's never a bad option, but its pricey. Good barrels are expensive, and gunsmith labor is expensive and everything takes time. I rebarreled a few rifles last year and nobody said it was cheaper than they expected, but to a man they said the rifle shot better than brand new. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 16, 2023, 04:50 PM	#30
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,691	The OP said about 600 or 700 rounds through the gun but one thing was never made absolutely clear. Was this a brand new rifle or one bought second hand? If the latter, how many round went through that barrel could be the reason for the barrel's alligator scarring. I have a Winchester Model 70 that is post 64 and pre 68 that so far doesn't shoot worth spit. Like the OP, accuracy is nowhere near what I think it should be. I may have it bore scoped sometime down the road and if it's badly scarred at the throat I'll send it out and have it rebored to something else. Maybe a 7-08, .308 or 358. However, first thing is give it the cleaning of its life. Check the crown, screws and retorque them to the proper levels should that need to be done. I got into it really cheap so I can spare a few bucks to square it away. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

February 17, 2023, 02:03 PM	#32
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 7,954	round count If the OP is quite certain that the original barrel has 6-700 on it, and at no point did the rate of fire get excessive or prolonged, then I would agree that there is some other problem. While the .243 is "overbore" and can be a barrel burner, as a match rifle, I would think that judicious use as a varminter should give 3-5x that barrel life, maybe more. I'd clean the rifle...again....., I'd check all my screws, bedding, bases and rings and I'd use a torque wrench to do it. I'd inspect the crown, very carefully. I'd try another scope, one that is trusted and known by the OP to be reliable, not a borrowed scope. I might ruffle some feathers, but I'd find something other than a Bushnell. I've had bad luck with all but one Bushnell with which I've dealt. I'd fool with barrel bedding, shim the barrel channel just forward of the recoil lug, thus reducing fore end tip pressure. I'd reverse the process and shim the speedbump on the Rem fore end up front, increasing tip pressure. I'd check my powder measure to confirm it is throwing a consistent charge. I'd change my seating depth on my loads, increasing C.O.A.L a wee bit, chasing the lands some more. All of the above will be cost free, excluding time and ammo. I would not buy a Tikka, I read they have had their own quality control and barrel issues of late. The absolute last thing I would do is rebarrel at 700 rds, unless I just wanted an aftermarket premium barrel anyhow.

February 17, 2023, 07:17 PM	#34
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,680	Consider relining the barrel. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

February 20, 2023, 01:38 AM	#36
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 7,954	scoped Yeah, I read post #20. A year later, the OP gets a heresay report from a family member that talked to the 'smith that scoped it. I'd wanna see the images myself, not rely on a second hand report from a third party. The barrel may be toast, .......but at 700 rds it's a bit hard to believe. I hope it all works out

February 14, 2023, 09:36 PM	#27
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,102	While I agree with your approach, Scorch, you are right.. A borescope inspection can reveal a lot. Post #20 of course is a matter of degree, but if the bore scopes alligator hide already I might just make a decision.

February 15, 2023, 08:39 PM	#29
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,954	600 or 700 rounds through the barrel don’t sound like much, but I did notice that they were Varmint bullets. If the varmints were coyotes, those rounds could have been shot over a long period. But if those rounds were shot in short time, it would do a job on the throat. Unless the borescope gives the bore a clean bill of health, I’d rebarrel.

February 17, 2023, 11:32 AM	#31
Mongo_Bongo Member Join Date: August 11, 2018 Posts: 35	As others have noted, that's not a lot of rounds. Some would say, barely broken in. In your place, I'd look for other reasons.

February 20, 2023, 07:12 AM	#37
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,102	I have no reason to doubt the OP. If he had the rifle for 10 years,maybe he only shot it 70 rounds a year. I don't know, For myself, its as feasible to question the round count as it is the bore scope report. But you may be skeptical in any direction you choose. For myself, I'm not there. My comments are based on the OP's info as given.

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