Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Set back vs. rebarrel?

I have been considering rebarrelling a 7mm Wby as I am experiencing inconsistent accuracy issues lately. I have had the rifle since the early 80's and it has been shot quite a lot over the years hence the consideration to rebarrel.

At the range today someone suggested setting back the barrel to address the 'shot out throat". Given that Weatherby's have significant freebore does it make sense to set the barrel back and would it potentially eliminate throat wear? Should I expect accuracy improvement as a result or should I keep heading down the rebarrel path?

Thanks.

Setting the barrel back, may help for a short while, but when the throat wears down, so does the first 8" + of the rifle lands, which is just a good indication barrel is shot out.

I think I would avoid spending 150.00 plus to have a gunsmith set back the barrel, I would just send the barreled action to Pac-nor for a new super match barrel, and your rifle should be like new again.

Since you've stated it's been shot a lot since the 80's, I also would suggest a rebarrel.

I'd say anyone who has shot out the barrel on a pet rifle has had a lot of fun. SHe deserves a new barrel,,,,,,,,,ESsex

Thanks. As I suspected, it looks like time for a new barrel.

Happy New Year

I'd aggressively remove all the copper fouling first, check accuracy, then re-barrel if necessary. For what its worth, my 7mm Wby is sensitive to copper fouling. If its a wood stock, it could have warped a little, and might now be putting pressure on the barrel. S40

Unless you have shot it fast or over 2500 rounds I would almost bet it's fouled rather than shot out. Know anyone with a bore scope?

Lefty

This rifle is bedded in a McMillan stock and has been regularly cleaned after each outing with CR-10 and occassionally with JB Bore paste. It has shot well in the past on a consistent basis but has definitely become difficult. Loads that have consistently been .5 - .75 are now broader and have more "flyers". My 200-400 yard groups are a mess 4"-5" groups at 200 yards - ugh.

I would be very pleased not to rebarrel so I think I will have someone take a good look with a bore scope before I go to the next level.

Thanks again for the input

If you are sure it is clean, all you need to do is seat your bullets further out and see if it makes a difference. If it does, and your loads are too long, then rebarrel it.

Now THAT is good advice!! check for throat erosion with the direct manner. also you can do a crush-fit seating test and see if the throat length is same as it was.. if you kept records of your OAL.

I guess I should have said, if seating the bullets longer makes it shoot again, then either set the barrel back -or- get a new barrel. That of course only applies if the bullets are seated out too far to fit in your mag.

If you're getting occasional fliers, it could be your scope taking a dump.

I will switch scopes and try longer COL both reasonable options at this point. However, I have never been able to seat long enough to get to the lands and still fit in the magazine given the freebore. I sure hope it's not my scope, it's the nicest in my collection - Zeiss V/MV 5-15 - but who knows.

It probably is the barrel, but figured it's worth swapping the scope just to make sure before getting a new tube screwed on.