Re-barrel

[PokeyOkie]

I acquired a sporterized Winchester with a very rough but original barrel last year and after plopping it into a proper stock, I finally got it to the range. I don't have a TE gauge and the barrel just about swallows a loose bullet but mics to .308 on my calipers. It's not a beauty and I got it mainly for shooting.




Is it worth rebarreling and is there anything I should look for when searching for a gunsmith?

Carl

Information

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[vintage hunter]

If the rifle in photo 2 shot the group in photo 1 why would you want to re-barrel it?. Looks like it's doing just fine to me. Or am I missing something?

[PokeyOkie]

It is that rifle. I guess my question was more of would I get more accuracy out of a criterion barrel or is this about normal? I don't want to mess with the rifle if there won't be any significant improvement. I bought it as a shooter and want the best accuracy I can get.

Carl

[CINDERS]

Take it out to 100-200-300 for grouping then make your choice.....

[vintage hunter]

I could be wrong but I don't think there would be enough gain in accuracy to justify the cost of a new pipe or messing with the originality of the rifle. And, there's a chance a new barrel won't shoot as good as the one you have now. You probably be ahead of the game by experimenting with different loads. Your rifle certainly has lots of potential as is.
However, if you do decide to go ahead with the re-barrel I hear Chuck in Denver is the man you want to see. I have also read here on the forum that these barrels don't come off easy and sometimes require a relief cut to free things up and if the new barrel isn't installed right it may result in a cracked receiver.

[RC20]

How many yards?

If it almost swallows a bullet then probably nothing to be done hand load wise to improve it.

Criterion barrel would get you a shooter.

Much tougher if you want an OEM with a decent barrel.

[Calif-Steve]

Try some nice hunting bullets. Flat base bullets should fun fine for you.

[PokeyOkie]

This was at 50 yards. I don't want to risk cracking the receiver so I'll try some other loads first and see what happens at 100 yards before I do anything. Thank you all for the input!

Carl

[CINDERS]

I am sure there are qualified personnel that can replace the barrel without toasting the reciever and if you go that way why not have it tuned up all round it is only when people take their weapons to those that may profess to know the drill with military weapons and in the end toast your rifle then it becomes a sad case of litigation which normally results in all care no responsibility statements.
So have a go with your reloads and let the forumers know how you went I would not adjust the front sight just yet until you find out what shoots where it is rather a pleasing outing spending a full day testing loads and getting the best from the rifle makes it all worth while.

As a postscript ~ We are counting down to the 25th April 2015 as it will be 100 years to the day the ANZACS went ashore and became the stuff of legends, like I have said many times here I doff my hat to all those that have served and continue to serve in any service from any country that protects our freedom we enjoy all over the world.

[WarPig1976]

First thing I do with a new toy is pull it from the stock, clean everything and then smear red lipstick on the metal. Put'er all back together and see how the bedding is and where the stock is making contact with the barrel. Then I go from there.

This rifle appears to shoot fine. Really though you need to shoot it at 100yds to get the best idea of what's happening. 100yds is the standard. Remember also these weren't designed to be sub moa rifles, if your getting 2" groups at 100yds your doing real good. My 2c's.