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Joined: Jan 2022
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Hey guys, I have a 1911 1899A in 303 savage. The first 1/4" or so of the bore at the muzzle has no rifling probably due to a steel cleaning rod. This gun is all original but it is a shooter not collector. It only shoots 5" group at 100 yds. My options are. 1. Cut barrel down from 26" to 25 3/4". 2. Counterbore the inside diameter to 1/4" depth and see if it shoots better. (Anyone ever do this with good results). Or 3. Leave if be and dont take a hunting shot over 100 yds. Opinions welcome.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
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If I absolutely had to shoot/hunt with it I would counterbore the muzzle, but it probably needs to go deeper than 1/4". Alternatively, I would look for another barrel or have one made and fitted, and then stash the original barrel away to be kept with the gun for posterity's sake.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Thanks gnoahhh, anyone have better accuracy results by overboring the muzzle?
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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How about cast? Would that help. I haven't cast since my BP days almost 50 years ago.
I'm not greedy, I just want one of each.
Remember Ira Hayes
JoeMartin
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Never have cast but not really interested in it. I wonder if counterbore on the end of the muzzle will cause blow by that will cause the bullet to yaw. But then again that's very similar to how brakes work.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I'd look for a competent gunsmith and have them counterbore it before I did anything else.
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Thanks to all for the replies.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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It only shoots 5" group at 100 yds. Opinions welcome. Maybe you have covered these; -the shooter? -the rifle? -the load/bullet? Sounds like it'll kill a deer at 100 yds. or less as is. Where I hunt (WI), I would use it. If you need something better than that, get it. Running a rifle down the road in favor of another isn't a sin.
"Every day above ground is a good day."
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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It's my 10th savage 1899/99. It's not going anywhere. I just like squeezing all the accuracy out of em i can. Tried several loads with 150g hornady interlock and Sierra 150 spire point. next will be another powder.The guy on the butt stock can shoot way better than 5" groups!
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I would sure try some heavier bullets then. 180 or 190 round nose should bring better results.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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If it's that bad, cast bullets won't help a bit. Counterbore it around 2" and I'll betcha it shoots a lot better.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Accuracy is a good thing. How does a 190gr. Fly? Only thing I shoot in .303
"Every day above ground is a good day."
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Hey guys, I have a 1911 1899A in 303 savage. The first 1/4" or so of the bore at the muzzle has no rifling probably due to a steel cleaning rod. This gun is all original but it is a shooter not collector. It only shoots 5" group at 100 yds. My options are. 1. Cut barrel down from 26" to 25 3/4". 2. Counterbore the inside diameter to 1/4" depth and see if it shoots better. (Anyone ever do this with good results). Or 3. Leave if be and dont take a hunting shot over 100 yds. Opinions welcome. since you said its a shooter, cut at least 1"
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 47
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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I have a box of 180 grain Sierra r.n. on the shelf, i will give them a try
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,101
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
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IF the muzzle is worn from mis-applied cleaning rods you're going to get the same results no matter what bullet you try. Save the bullets until you address the issue, either by counterboring or lopping a bunch off the end of the barrel.
I messed with too many stinky old milsurps in my life that exhibited the same condition, and tried every trick in the book to circumvent counterboring/shortening/replacing the barrels.
If the muzzle were worn perfectly evenly then it'll probably still shoot ok. But ham-handed cleaning rod usage is pretty likely to not induce perfectly concentric wear.
Last edited by gnoahhh; 06/09/22.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Before I counter bore does anyone have evidence that it will truly work?
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I'm surprised the spire points would feed in a 99.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Before I counter bore does anyone have evidence that it will truly work? Yeah, I've done it with a couple Mausers and a .22. It works. Use a tight fitting pin gauge in the bore to dial in concentricity in the lathe chuck to guarantee the counter bore isn't lopsided to the bullet's travel. That or a reamer or drill bit with a pilot.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I have done it also and it does work, you just have to go deep enough. No one will notice if done right-just over bore diameter.
Mike
NRA Patron Member
If its "Made in America", its not setting on a container ship!
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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A target crown I assume is much like a counter bore?
I have had pleasant results from target crowns, and cutting barrels shorter B4 target crowns are put in.
"Shoot low sheriff, I think he's riding a shetland!" B. Wills
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