Counterbore to save a wall hanger?

[RossRifleNut]

I recently made some 6.5 jap for a type 38 arisaka I was given a while ago, the rifle looks great on the outside: blueing has got be be 99% with no major dings in the stock. In my ignorance I thought the bore looked frosty but better than my Ross which is a tack driver.

Found out it lands shots in about a 9m² area at 100 yards, I couldn't get one shot on paper. Initially I thought it might be a problem with my handloads but upon closer inspection the last inch or so of the mussel is completely burnt out but the rest of the rifling looks ok.

I've got an SMLE in similar (but not as bad) Condition that keyholes but will at least group on paper with 180 grain bullets.

I wonder if getting either of these guns counterbored by a gunsmith could make them shootable or would they never really be a decent guns to shoot?

Has anyone attempted counterboring a shot out milsurp and what was the result?

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

With sloppy accuracy like that, I think you are shooting undersized bullets. Get a lead ball "about right" for the bore diameter and push it down the barrel. Too small and it will practically fall out. Too large and it won't get out of the chamber.

 

[RossRifleNut]

With sloppy accuracy like that, I think you are shooting undersized bullets. Get a lead ball "about right" for the bore diameter and push it down the barrel. Too small and it will practically fall out. Too large and it won't get out of the chamber.

I have actually slugged the SMLE and it read perfect most of the way down the bore but the ball just dropped out the end.

 

[vagrantviking]

Try it.
You have nothing to lose.

Would try slugging and anything else you think might be an issue first though.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

I have actually slugged the SMLE and it read perfect most of the way down the bore but the ball just dropped out the end.

So the bore is tight near the breech, and loose towards the muzzle. The effect is gas will blow past the bullet. That is the cause of the inaccuracy. Hmmm? How much of the bore do you want to drill back?

 

[Ken T2]

I've counterbored a number of 98 Mauser barrels.Sometimes it helps,sometimes not.It is always worth trying.Use a piloted counterbore when doing the work.

 

[OneBarfly]

I re-crowned a Garand barrel with muzzle wear with some success and minimal investment, so that might be an option, but I only had to go down around 1/4 inch to see things tighten-up.