Ringed barrels and accuracy

16 October 2009, 23:58

Bill/Oregon

Just obtained a nice old Remington Model 8 made in 1908 in .30 Remington. Cleaning up the "dark" bore revealed a very crisp, shiny bore that was hiding under a century of copper deposits -- and a small ring in the barrel about an inch from the muzzle. I plan to shoot the rifle with jacketed and cast handloads, but am not sure what to expect in terms of accuracy. Crown looks good, and I have heard from other shooters that many ringed barrels shoot surprisingly well.
Any thoughts?

17 October 2009, 00:36

craigster

I've had a couple "ringers" in 22RF, didn't seem to be affected. No experience with a centerfire.

17 October 2009, 01:17

JBrown

The thing about any damaged areas in the bore is that all bullets will be more or less affected the same as they travel over or through it. So sometimes accuracy can be amazing.

I have seen barrels that have had sections if the rifling missing and they still shot well.

A poster by the name of Silwane(sp?) had a very accurate custom rifle that developed an area in the bore that was so loose that it would not grip the patch as a jag was pushed down the bore. The rifle still shot well under MOA.

Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown

17 October 2009, 02:06

Westpac

quote:
Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Just obtained a nice old Remington Model 8 made in 1908 in .30 Remington. Cleaning up the "dark" bore revealed a very crisp, shiny bore that was hiding under a century of copper deposits -- and a small ring in the barrel about an inch from the muzzle. I plan to shoot the rifle with jacketed and cast handloads, but am not sure what to expect in terms of accuracy. Crown looks good, and I have heard from other shooters that many ringed barrels shoot surprisingly well.
Any thoughts?

It has been my experience that the closer the "ring" is to the muzzle, the bigger the affect on accuracy. An inch away... no way to predict that. I will say that I too have seen some rather amazing accuracy with bulges barrels, but usually these bulges were a ways back from the muzzle. Shoot it and see. Good luck though.

_______________________________________________________________________________
This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.

17 October 2009, 10:45

Bill/Oregon

Thanks guys. I will shoot and see. If the thing won't shoot, I can always go to the expedient of the counterbore.

27 October 2009, 02:14

Bill/Oregon

Well, I finally shot my circa 1909 Model 8 today with this .30 Remington handload:
R-P brass, CCI 200, 31.0 grains IMR 3031, Hornady 160-grain Flex-Tip bullet, averaging 2216 with an ES of 40.
Here's the group, from 50 yards from a rest:

I'm not so worried about that ring in the barrel ...

27 October 2009, 03:29

Westpac

That's acceptable!

_______________________________________________________________________________
This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.