Possibly, but also possible increase in bearing length as well, which isn't all that long with 150gr bullets in .30 caliber.
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shot it today, and at 25 yds it grouped about 6 inches. a portion of that is me being unfamiliar with this rifle, however, I was hitting the x in the bull with my Garand on the same range a week ago.
the trigger is pretty soft on it. I'm making a list of what I want to do with it. Barrel. Trigger. Maybe a parkerizing job. All I really need is a pile o' cash.
at 25 yards that is a large grouping
quite. my brother has a lithgow no1mk3 from ww2, that used to have a filthy barrel. pre-cleaning, it shot about 2" at 100 yds. after a thorough cleaning, that opened up to 5" at 100 yds.
I'm getting flak from him about cleaning the accuracy out of the rifle.:lol:
Flat-base bullets provide better bullet guidance and less gas blow-by in worn throats. The longer the cylindrical section (= bearing surface) the better. And longer cylinders ride better over pits. The lower downrange BC of boattails is of no value if the bullet doesn't even exit the muzzle in a straight line!
Patrick - what you describe makes sense. I'll see what I can find. Have you had great results with a particular round?
Dif rifle, similar potential problem... VZ24 7mm Brazilian. Lands very worn. Last 1- 1 1/2" of muzzle ends up looking almost like it has been counter-bored. But before that - there was serious rust in that last 1 1 1/2" of muzzle!
I stuffed it w/ Kroil soaked patches for about 10 days (didn't intend to do it that long, but...!) Then soaked an oversized brass brush in Kroil and used a drill to spin it in the muzzle end of bore. Figured I couldn't make it any worse! DID clean out the rust, and not a lot of pitting, so that's good. But as mentioned above - nearly a smooth bore at the muzzle!
Waiting to see how it will shoot. If I get 4-5" groups at 100 yds (and my old eyes) I will be ok. Time will tell.
Never had to resort to them, but I have also been advised over the years that the heaviest, albeit longest bullets for caliber will do better in a worn out milsurp bbl. And yes, that is typically the heaviest RN FB you can get. BTW - this is what a lot of the calibers were originally designed/loaded with...
I have had absolutely great results using Hornady ammunition. I just wish it wasn't SO pricey. You do get what you pay for, I just don't get it in bulk.