My dad got a Remington 721 years ago (~30 yrs). I believe it was 300 H&H but was rechambered to 300 weatherby mag. He loves the gun but maybe 10 years ago it lost accuracy. He had it bedded and checked by a gunsmith. No luck. I got it today to investigate, I am NOT a gunsmith. I cleaned the bore with copper solvent. Lots of blue on the patches but pretty clean now. Looking at the barrel, I am afraid it is shot out. I see little to no rifling at the muzzle. I tried to get photos. I have not shot it yet. I got worried and didn’t want to waste time and money if someone smarter than me could look at it and know it is trash. Could you tell me your opinion?
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Help with barrel
- Thread starter Bouldar
- Start date
His is hard to diagnose with limited pics.
And no I’m not smarter!
But this is with iron sights or a scope?
Do we have reference to check your ability with a high recoil rifle with this sight system? Meaning, can you sight and shoot better with another rifle?
As far as the gun, the barrel could possibly be bad, but I s the stock cracked anywhere, action screws tight, barrel isn’t loose, sights are solid and secure?
And no I’m not smarter!
But this is with iron sights or a scope?
Do we have reference to check your ability with a high recoil rifle with this sight system? Meaning, can you sight and shoot better with another rifle?
As far as the gun, the barrel could possibly be bad, but I s the stock cracked anywhere, action screws tight, barrel isn’t loose, sights are solid and secure?
This is iron sights as I do not have a scope to put on it. Free floating until the jumping the barrel it the rear sight. Action screws at 50 in/lbs. I could not detect any looseness in the barrel and no crack noted in the stock.
I don’t think I have a reference picture but I believe I am more capable than this. I am not a great shot but not terrible either. Lol
I don’t think I have a reference picture but I believe I am more capable than this. I am not a great shot but not terrible either. Lol
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Well, if towards the muzzle messed up you can consider a fix that was used on old milsurp rifles with worn out muzzles. Cleaning rods rubbing the muzzle damaged the rifling so smiths used to counter bore (drill out) an inch or two of the rifling and create a false muzzle. Isn't perfect, but help save a few poor shooting rifles.
That barrel looks rough. Id clean scub the living shit out of it.
My theory is theres some old corrosion in it, and its disrupting the copper jacket. Basically acting as sand paper. I may be wrong, but a quality complete detailed clean may improve it.
And i hate cleaning guns..
My theory is theres some old corrosion in it, and its disrupting the copper jacket. Basically acting as sand paper. I may be wrong, but a quality complete detailed clean may improve it.
And i hate cleaning guns..
So I ground off all bedding to the action. The barrel is entirely free floating now. I shot these 4 shots. It gives me hope. This is about 1 inch except for the one off to the left. I am thinking of putting a scope on and trying it. What do y’all think?
not yet. That is my next step
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I have absolutely no idea. My dad said the person that had it before him “shot a lot”. Who knows what that means. Dad didn’t “shoot a lot” because it will kick the hell out of you. Until I started, I don’t believe it had been cleaned properly since my dad got it.
No, we don’t have a reloaded and have never tried. Admittedly, it does interest me but I don’t really have the room, know how, and don’t want the initial investment. We are factory loads only for now.
With an unknown rough round count and the speed of the caliber, throat erosion could be the culprit. If you can find someone to load for you that you trust, that would be a good start. That said, a good scope like others have recommended is another good starting point.
I would say that it is totally possible for 1000 rounds of 300 Weatherby to degrade a barrel. But maybe not.
You could get go/no-go gauges, or Hornady modified case, or a trustworthy gunsmith to slug the chamber, in order to check for any excessive erosion.
And, after all this; if were talking heirloom type stuff for you, that you want to keep and shoot, scrap the barrel and put a new one on. Shine up what's left to keep the patina, and shoot the pants off it.
Barrels are cheap. Rebarrel to something enjoyable to shoot and shoot the hell out of it.
Rebarrel it. Problem solved. Unless it has sentimental things, then turn it into a wall hanger.
