I've got a couple of Norma cg 63's, and I'm a bit curious about the bore condition you guys see with these rifles. Both of mine seem to show considerable rifling wear in the first few inches, but the rest of it is sharp and very good. Is this typical? Are they supposed to look like this?
CG 63 barrel question
- Thread starter Philthy1
- Start date
Most of those rifles have seen a lot of use. They were very well maintained for the most part and the maintenance was done regularly and properly.
Those rifles were released because they were at or nearing the end of their cycles to be rebarreled. That's one reason they were relatively cheap. The wear you mention is called throat erosion and once it advances to far the rifles start to lose acceptable accuracy.
If you have one of these fine rifles IMHO it would be worth rebarreling if you are into the type of shooting the rifles were designed for.
Those rifles were released because they were at or nearing the end of their cycles to be rebarreled. That's one reason they were relatively cheap. The wear you mention is called throat erosion and once it advances to far the rifles start to lose acceptable accuracy.
If you have one of these fine rifles IMHO it would be worth rebarreling if you are into the type of shooting the rifles were designed for.
I have seen a few that have excellent barrels including one that looked unused/never fired, I also have one that has a excellent bore with no sign of throat wear. But yes, as bearhunter said above most have very well used barrels but are still capable of very good accuracy, just not as outstanding accuracy as when new.
I have one that is exactly as you describe excellent inside and out with a lovely diopter rear sight and a hooded front sight with one of the nicest triggers going.
The rifles were property of the state and issued/loaned to shooting clubs which are very popular in Sweden. Please correct me on this if I don't have it right but the clubs were also issued match ammo each year for competitions. I also believe that Swede citizens could purchase these rifles for personal use. It was a long time ago that I read up on these great rifles. The loaned rifles were looked after by government armorers and would be taken back to the depot for barrel replacement and whatever repairs were needed. This came to an end about 10 or more years ago.
I don't know if the Swedes still run a civilian marksmanship program or not. Likely they do.
I'm probably just being a bit picky but all the ones I've seen have some throat erosion. I have read that the barrels are a bit peculiar with a big jump to lands, maybe that adds to it. I dont think many of these rifles were refurbed prior to export, although it sounds like you guys found some nice ones. That being said, they are big, beautiful rifles that are tack drivers even in less than perfect condition.
Hi Bearhunter,
You are mostly correct with your information but only in that it applied only to the M1896 infantry rifles. The CG-63's target use only rifles were sold directly to clubs and individuals and also made up by custom gunshops and Norma.
Yes, they still do run a citizen marksmanship organization but it is much diminished over what it was in the past.
Yes, you have to get lucky and or ask a lot of questions to get one with a very nice bore and un-worn throat.
I may put my one up on the EE soon as I don't shoot it very much anymore as I find scoped rifles easier to use with my old eyes.
Yes, I know what you mean, they are a bargain at that price if they have a decent bore. BTW, I have one that was professionally modified and scoped in Sweden before it arrived here via Trade-Ex about 5 years ago. It also had it's barrel shortened to about 25" and it is a tack driver with the right load. It is much more accurate than my Savage heavy barrel .308.
I also have a Canadian DCRA CG-63E in .308/7.62x51mm that has a CG barrel that is a tack driver too. It is not a British import, a few DCRA members apparently tried them out and like them very much, I got mine off a old time DCRA member and he only got rid of it because of his age. They were more consistent and reliable target rifles than the converted Lee Enfield's which when setup right shot well but could get out of sync easier than the front locking lugs and solidly bedded and heavy one piece stocked Mauser actioned CG-63E's.
One thing about these rifles that should be remembered as well, back in the "good ole days" Remington used to offer these rifles albeit under their name for those interested in military match shooting and offhand open iron sight shooting. They have always been very highly regarded. A Remington rep I had the privilege of talking with about 40 years ago told me that they were some of the finest match rifles offered by Remington at the time and were all made in Sweden, which would make sense.
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I am a bit surprised that no one has suggested having a good gunsmith take about two or three inches off the chamber end of the barrel, rechamber it, and do the bedding. That would take care of the throat erosion problem, and I don't think the slightly shorter barrel would affect the accuracy due to a shorter sighting radius.
I am a bit surprised that no one has suggested having a good gunsmith take about two or three inches off the chamber end of the barrel, rechamber it, and do the bedding. That would take care of the throat erosion problem, and I don't think the slightly shorter barrel would affect the accuracy due to a shorter sighting radius.
The Schultz & Larsen M69 rifles are a bit of a better buy then the CG63's, built on '98 actions with S&L barrels, adjustable triggers...
Good read on the CG63 here
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?183419-The-rise-and-fall-of-the-CG80
leebuilder
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
You would loose the shoulder, bad idea, but i like how you think. There are different weight barrels but none have the diameter to provide a shoulder.
be well
When Brazil decided to make up carbines chambered in 7.62x51 they chopped off enough of the chamber to remove all traces of the original 30-06 chambers. They did thousands of rifles that way. All three of those handy little carbines I owned were done that way and all had a H&K style rear sight added to the bridge.
I have put a lot of rounds through each of them without any mishaps and the headspace is all within spec on each of them. There is no visible shoulder where the barrels enters the receiver.
leebuilder
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Not sure about what the Brazilians did to those rifles, they are fine shooters. But their must a shoulder or the breech it will free wheel like a nut on a bolt. Not saying it can't be done but it will require extra work and preperation to complete correctly. I would like to know what they did so I can learn.
I got a CG63 from Tradeex with a baked barrel then I rebarreled it will one off the M38 barrels they sold a while back. Fine shooter.
Be well
I got a CG63 from Tradeex with a baked barrel then I rebarreled it will one off the M38 barrels they sold a while back. Fine shooter.
Be well
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Most of the CG-80's come with much better semi pistol grip laminated stocks, Schultz and Larsen barrels and adjustable triggers too, actually a fair number of the CG-63 rifles have adjustable triggers fitted too.
leebuilder
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Thanks for the pics mkmel. I have a few mauser breeches at home I will check it out.
Still not sold on the idea.
Be safe
Still not sold on the idea.
Be safe
The CG80 mods were just enough to bring the CG63 up to S&L M69 shooting standards. They used the same trigger design as S&L and their barrels, shortened the cocking piece for a faster lock time, and in the end the '96 action was just not as good as the '98 for target shooting no matter what they tried.
The CG80 laminated walnut are nice stocks, but will set you back another $200-$300 over CG63 and S&L prices. Still a few nice M69 at Tradex for $495...
