I have a M99 take-down in 250-3000, made in the forties. It was a beat-up orphan, and I took pity on it, did a resto, but not historically perfect. Then I discovered that it has a twist of about 1:20 or something like that, and will not stabilize a decent hunting bullet.

Question: What do you think of relining it? Who might do it? I don't want to bore it out and rifle to a larger caliber.

All suggestions appreciated.

Savage used a 10" twist for the 250-3000 in the M99. If your rifle won't stabilze "a decent hunting bullet", I'm gonna have to say you've got a problem with the barrel other than the rate of twist. How did you determine it has a 1 in 20 twist?

One suggestion...check the crown and the last 1/4" or so of rifling at the muzzle. My high school hunting buddy had an early 250-3000 that was very accurate. Over the years he started getting worse and worse groups, followed by keyholing. He cut 1/2" off the muzzle, recrowned it and it was back to like new. Just a thought.

You say the rifle won't stabilize the bullets, are they tumbling (keyholes in the target) or does it "pattern" rather than group?

1/10 twist was only used in later production. Earlier rifles had 1/14 I believe. I have never been a fan of relining for higher intensity cartridges. Re-barreling is the better option or drop your bullet weight to an 80-90 grain bullet and select one with stronger construction. They will work fine for most purposes.

Those rifles were designed for the 87 grain bullet, and a 1-14 twist will handle that weight bullet.
If it were mine, I would want it as original as it could be, as you did with your restoration. Don't reline the barrel. Shoot the lighter weight bullets.

Don

Call Dave Casey in Cody Wyoming. If that rifle is relinable, he will know. He does relining a bit different than most other folks. He owns
www.rockymountaincartridge.com

Brent

Thank you all for the help. Yes, it is 1:14 twist. All 100 grain bullets I've tried have evidenced yaw, as in elongated holes in the target. I really don't have much confidence in the 87-90 grain bullets available. I would use this rifle for good sized deer, often at ranges of 3-400 yds, so sectional density is important.

If I reline it, it would be for same caliber. I will contact RMC.

Mine does real well with the 87 Speer Hot Core. It's not a really sharp spire point, so is shorter for it's length than many others. I've killed a few whitetails with it up to 200 yards with no trouble at all. Doubt I would try one at 400 though, even with a 100 gr. bullet.

Thanks Ole. Are you related to LRH270? He posts rotten jokes in the humor forum.

Dennis Olsen, a very capable gunsmith, relines high power barrels. He has done at least one .30-40 Krag military barrel. You can call him at 406-826-3790 in Plains, MT. He is doing different work on a Remington 30 for me now. He will be able to tell you if the 99 barrel is thick enough for a liner.