Counter bored barrel

[yamoon]

Hello
Are you locked in do to COVID-19 ?
I have a 22 lr Schuetzen the barrel is rifled for about 18 inches, the remainder to the muzzle is bored out to about .325. I believe it was manufactured this way. It shoots great. I have a Von Schatzl martini schuetzen. the barrel is fine except a badly eroded area about 4 inches from the muzzle. What are your thoughts on counter boring the barrel about 4 inches to .375 or .4?
Thanks
Mike

[Old No7]

I have a 22 lr Schuetzen the barrel is rifled for about 18 inches, the remainder to the muzzle is bored out to about .325. I believe it was manufactured this way. It shoots great. I have a Von Schatzl martini schuetzen. the barrel is fine except a badly eroded area about 4 inches from the muzzle. What are your thoughts on counter boring the barrel about 4 inches to .375 or .4?

I've not done it, but based on your experience with the .22 Schuetzen you have, and the Zimmerstutzen .177 parlor rifles that have similar counter-bored barrels, I would think your idea has some merit. You didn't mention what caliber the Martini is in, but if it's a .22, I would weigh the cost of the counter-bore versus a reline of the barrel. I think "who" does the work may be important to consider as well.

Perhaps John Taylor at Taylor Machine out in Puyallup WA could help you decide, or it's possible he may have some experience with the counter-bore option. I will say he did a fabulous job at relining an old BSA Martini Model 13 I have (a rare model with a heavy barrel) that I'd inherited after my Dad passed away -- the original bore was a sewer pipe. Although it never shot well, it was my Dad's favorite rifle before he passed; so it means a lot to me. John restored its accuracy and the reline preserved the original BSA markings and patina of the barrel. John Taylor comes very highly recommended on the ASSRA single-shot forum for sure, and he did a great job for me.

If the counter-bore option works -- then great! If not, then a reline could also be done (but at the added cost).

Good luck -- sounds like an interesting project. Keep us posted please Mike.

Old No7

[yamoon]

it is an 8.15x46r, the barrel slugs .311
Mike

[mike ford]

Does it "shoot" with the bad spot in the barrel? If not, quoting the president, what do you have to lose? Given the capacity of the cartridge, I wouldn't think losing four inches of barrel length would be a significant disadvantage. The one caveat; it will be a little difficult to properly crown the recessed muzzle. A piloted counterbore should keep it "square" and maybe something like a piloted forcing cone cutter to "break the edge".
Mike