While trying to figure out why my Tikka 595 in 22/250 started shooting groups like a shotgun, I took a peek down the barrel from the muzzle. Imagine my surprise to see burrs about 1/4" back of the crown. When running a patch down the bore, there is a definite easing of the friction, almost like there is no rifling at this spot from about 1" from the crown to 1/4" from the crown. After this there is normal friction for the patch in the last 1/4". This rig used to shoot well under 3/4" with just about anything I put through it. It now shoots no better than 6" groups. There are only about 250 rounds through it also. Fortunately it is less than a year old so I should be able to get warranty work done, but that is a hassle. Any thoughts on what has happened here?
Sounds too me like you have yourself a buldged barrel. Look down the length of the outside of the barrel and see if you see a wierd looking shape near the muzzle, or, pull the bolt and gaze in the muzzle end and see if you can see a dark circle near the muzzle.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news there pal, but there is no such thing as a warranty against a bulged barrel.
You can have the barrel cut back past this area and recrowned which will save it though you will lose a little velocity in the process. Your groups should tighten back up afterwards.
I had a chance to look down the barrel today using a magnifying loupe and a bright light. There is definitely pitting of the groves all the way into the lands about 1/2" from the crown. There are all kinds of burrs as well. It looks like a flaw in the barrel steel. I called the dealer I bought it from and they think that it will be covered by warranty. That would be fine. Now if only I could convince Tikka to put a 24" barrel on instead of the 22" on there now.
Let me see if I understand this. The gun used to shoot well under 3/4 inch groups with just about anything you could throw through it, but now suddenly there is all kinds of burrs and pitting about 1/2 inch from the muzzle and now the gun won't group any better than 6" but the dealer you bought it from say's he thinks the manufacturer will cover it under warranty? This just may be the warranty to end all warranties... Let us know what happens.
Working ONLY by your description I'd say the gun was shot with an obstruction....probably obstructed by something gritty like a mud dauber nest or borer bees........a REAL problem in some parts of the country.
If warrantee covers it it'll be because they feel sorry for you, not because it was their fault.
Thank you gentlemen for your diplomatic replies. I had not thought of a barrel obstruction. I usually used the rifle from a stand in the winter. Around here there is no mud in the winter only snow. It is possible though that I may have gotten something in the barrel. We are always loathe to admit our own mistakes, but in this instance it appears that a fool and his money will soon be departed after a visit to the gunsmith. Know any good ones in Canada? When I bought the rifle, there was some bluing missing from the tip of the muzzle and on the crown, but this is probably just wear marks from shipping. I was hoping that this was part of an underlying flaw, but perhaps not. I will still check about warranty and fill all in as to what happens.
Working ONLY by your description I'd say the gun was shot with an obstruction....probably obstructed by something gritty like a mud dauber nest or borer bees........a REAL problem in some parts of the country.
If warrantee covers it it'll be because they feel sorry for you, not because it was their fault.
This is why I hunt with a piece of electrical tape over the end of my barrel to keep foriegn objects out.
So an embarrasing trip to the dealer indicates that exactly as predicted by several members here. Barrel damaged from obstruction in bore. It was repaired on my dime. Thankfully my brother is an accomplished machinist and only needed to take 1" off the barrel to remove the damage. It now has a nice 11 degree target crown as well. Too bad the barrel is now less than 22". Kind of short for a 22/250, but still cheaper than a new barrel. Thank you to all who replied.
