I mentioned in that thread I have an Eric Johnson barreled BSA action in .22LR; I bought it about 35 years ago, it was in less than 100% shape at that time. It is marked by Johnson as 1947; the trigger is excellent.

I got it out tonight and cleaned it- the muzzle exterior is rusty to the extent of about 1-3/4 inches, and there is some damage to the crown. It did not clean up significantly with oil and effort.

The barrel is 28-1/2" to the receiver. It has two scope blocks, and two holes at the muzzle, filled with screws, that took the front sight. The barrel is about an inch in diameter, straight taper. The remainder of the barrel's exterior seems in good enough shape to be cleaned up fairly easily.

Using solvent, a brush, and patches to clean the bore, I found no rust in the interior, just carbon that reduced in amount as I kept cleaning. The bore, to my bad eyes, looks to be in good shape save for the muzzle area.

I assume, but can't check right now, that the twist is 1:16; any idea if this barrel could be shortened somewhat to clear the damage, and rechambered to .218 Bee- that is, as this is a .22 rimfire, is the steel strong enough to take the Bee, or should I rebarrel, and is the twist appropriate?

I'd need the lever reshaped, as it takes a hard 90 degree turn off the receiver- the original stock was a schuetzen kind of affair. I wouldn't want fancy wood, but a decent stock that fits my gorilla embrace to make a working rifle.

Where do I stand? Suggestions/advice/out-and-out-commands appreciated... and ballpark estimates of cost, if one cares to go there.

I would not mess with an Eric Johnson .22RF barrel at all. The bore dimensions and possibly the steel are not appropriate for a .22 centerfire, most of which now use .224 diameter bullets. The existing barrel has some collector value even in the condition you described. Because it is 28+ inches long it could be cut and recrowned and still be plenty long enough for most applications. I would carefully remove it (no marks), and replace it with a modern barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by 1878:
I would carefully remove it ( no marks )

-too late; suggestion noted.