I bought a new Model 70 Super Shadow in .223 WSSM this weekend. Upon getting it home I began to give it a good cleaning prior to shooting it. I have never seen a bore as rough as this on a new gun or a used gun for that matter. I do realize that it is chrome lined. I used shooters choice to initially clean it. When I ran a tight patch through the barrel you could feel rough spots. In fact, most of the barrel feels rough. When I looked through the barrel I can see dark spots and it almost looks like pitting in the grooves. There is a rough spot just in front of the chamber on the right side. You can see that it is a small dark area. I also used Kroil and JB and saw no change in what the bore looked like. I have not shot the rifle yet, but am ready to send the rifle back to Winchester. I can only imagine that the barrel will foul badly when shot. Maybe I am speaking prematurely before firing the gun. Anyhow, has anyone else seen this kind of rough bore on these weapons and will it potentially be a problem. It almost looks like the barrel was dirty when they began the plating process and they plated over something in the barrel. Is this the type of problem that Winchester would address or would they say it is normal for this weapon.
thanks ... Mark

In light of USRAC announcing the closing of the Connecticut plant, call before you ship it back.

If you can locate a gunsmith in your area who has a borescope, have him inspect the bore.

George

If you suspect something is not right, take it back to where you bought it and exchange it. Don't do anything that will void the warranty, no matter how bad you want to shoot it.

The store I bought it at has a no return policy on firearms. I am tempted to shoot it though. If I do, I'll use factory ammo instead of investing in the dies and casings to load for it. I just have the feeling that the gun is not going to be a shooter with a bore that rough. Maybe I'll be wrong.
Mark

quote:

...chrome lined...

Since when? I've never heard of any Winchester model 70 with a factory chrome lined barrel. What models do (did) they offer that in?

The wssm 223 and 243 I believe have the chrome lining

john,

i believe several of the short fat magnums recently developed needed the chrome bores so the barrel last for more than a few shots. the chrome bores are mentioned in some of the winchester promo type. if my memory serves me it is for the 223 and 270 wssm.
max

Here is the page at Winchester that relates to the chrome barrel

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/features/detail.asp?ID=80

Check out Browning's web site and they mention the chrome lined barrels in couple calibers. As for taking out the rough spots, if that is what it is, w/ a chrome lined barrel, not sure you can do that with means available to normal methods. Chrome is very hard as they say, and of course resistant to atmosphere, rust, etc. but problem with the chrome lined barrels is that it is not the easiest thing to do in plating the bore from breech to muzzle evenly. M16 U.S. Service rifles have chrome lined barrels and over the years have used them to build match uppers when I could find a good one that was "true" from breech to muzzle for they have a very long life to them. Finding one that shoots well was the problem, but when you did, you had a very good 10 ring barrel at very low cost. After much use, a piece or section would "flake" off and that was the end of the barrel. One reason you would want to avoid a modified, shortened 16 barrel is that the chrome lining would usually chip or flake off when the muzzle was shortened. Basic problem w/ chrome lining. Best suggestion would be to find a Hawkeye Borescope and take a look see for whatever it is will show up for sure. Don't know how far you are from Savage, Md., but Fulton Armory people can probably aid you in such an issue????? They are good people and know their stuff if they have time to be of assistance. Just a suggestion.

Tubbs makes some diamond dust fire-lapping bullets. Probably not aggressive enough for your problem, though.

I think this is why New Haven was closed. Quality control was non existant.

Dave