In our starry eyed wonderment at finally finding the rifle I have wanted for several years, my gunsmith friend and I missed a bulge in the barrel of an 1899 .250-3000 takedown that was made in 1915. I would like to know folks thoughts on the viability of this barrel. Do I now have a beautiful mantel piece to look at? Am I able to safely shoot it? (Which was my plan from the get go.)
I wouldn't be afraid to shoot it given the location. If it shoots poorly the end of the bore can be bored out back to the bulge. I've not done it but I hear it sometimes fixes the issue.
Yup. It effectively shortens the length of the barrel to a point before the bulge. After that point it's all free bore but you haven't cut the barrel and uglified the rifle.
Go tell the Spartans,Travelers passing by,That here,Obedient to their laws we lie.
I'm older now but I'm still runnin' against the wind
I would say that counter-boring the muzzle would work just fine. The only thing that comes to mind is that I know the M1A guys like to open up the flash suppressors when making NM modifications. So I would give some thought to the size of counter-bore diameter relative to the groove diameter.
Last edited by S99VG; 07/05/15.
"The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle." John Stapp - "Stapp's Law" "Klaatu barada nikto"
I've shot my pre-mil 99F 308 with a bulge near the muzzle. It shoots safely but not very accurately. I'm going to shorten the barrel mainly because I think a 19" barrel F would be cool. I don't need a front sight since it's scoped. Counter boring would be my option with a collectable rifle to maintain at least a semblance of collectability. David
wyo1895 With Savage never say never. For a copy of my book on engraved Savage lever actions rifles send a check for $80 to; David Royal, p.o. box 1271, Pinedale, Wy., 82941. I will sign and inscribe the book for you. [email protected]
I've shot my pre-mil 99F 308 with a bulge near the muzzle. It shoots safely but not very accurately. I'm going to shorten the barrel mainly because I think a 19" barrel F would be cool. I don't need a front sight since it's scoped. Counter boring would be my option with a collectable rifle to maintain at least a semblance of collectability. David
wyo1895 With Savage never say never. For a copy of my book on engraved Savage lever actions rifles send a check for $80 to; David Royal, p.o. box 1271, Pinedale, Wy., 82941. I will sign and inscribe the book for you. [email protected]
You brought up a good point. Where is the front sight? I counter bored a lot of military rifles with beat up muzzles and had no noticible affect on accuracy.
Anybody with a lathe and the ability to set it up can cut a deep counterbore, doesn't have to be a gunsmith. Being a takedown simplifies that operation. All you need to do is have barrel turning true, run a 9/32 drill bit in via the tail stock, followed up with a 5/16 chucking reamer. Done. If the bulge doesn't straddle the sight base, it's the perfect opportunity to true up the outside of the barrel at the same time. A little camouflage touch-up blue and it'll pass the 3 foot test alld ay long.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
Not as far as counterboring goes, but does nix the idea about turning the outside down to get rid of the bulge. CB it back to right before the bulge begins, by the way.
If you're handy with files you can get rid of the bulge.
Last edited by gnoahhh; 07/05/15.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
Can you see the bulge in the bore? Please shoot the rifle before dinking with it the twist is set up for lighter bullets most factory offerings are 100 grain but it might like lighter?
What you have done is not nearly as important as how you have done it!!! The Old Fart 2008 A.D.
