Lesson learned about rechambering.

xring_assassin

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So - this is a LONG story about a gun I bought on the EE gone wrong.

I have suspicions the seller didn't know this thing was bunk - or I'd be more than cranky.

You just HAVE to see this to beleive it, but MUST know how I got to finding this.

About June last year I bought a ruger m77 chambered in 25-06 ackley. As I am a HUGE fan of 25-06 - I've always wanted to try the ackley'ized version so this fit the bill.

First range session I had a few brass fail to eject properly - they'd just "pop" out from under the extractor and sit nicely in the magazine well. Nice for reloading - they never flew all over, but scary for hunting - I want those shells to FLY out! SOoooo off to a gunsmith to see if he can figure it out (there are three in my local area - went to the closest one first) nah he can't figure it out - tells me it's too old - can't even get an extractor for the tang safety ones now. So off to a 'smith out of the area who takes the extractor claw, finds another one JUST LIKE IT - and installs it - soaks me $60 for it. Well fewer shells pop out form under but still about 6/50 will pop out as described. So a few nights ago I take the gun to a new gunsmith (Bob at Custom Gunworx) in my area here - I don't know him, I was all worried and so on, but getting mad about this ejection issue. So Custom Gunworx Bob removes my bolt and instantly arrives at the conclusion that the plunger is under wayyyy too much tension, there's "something wrong" with that extractor claw, and the bolt face is WAY to big (in the .504 area) from someone trying to square up the bolt face far too aggressively. Bob sends my existing extractor claw off to western gun parts in Edmonton as example with instructions that this is suppose to be for a ruger m77. Happy happy joy joy, that claw was from a damned enfield p17 (i think that's what he said - WRONG extractor at any rate) so now I have the correct extractor at least....minus more money from the pocket though.

Now the big bolt face problem - can't get a new bolt - but can open that one up further and re-chamber to 257 weatherby. I HATE weatherby chamberings with a passion but hey - I want the thing to work. So with me hanging out Bob loosens the barrel and notices the threads are REALLY loose fitting (ah damn says me)....then the big shocker....

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=11619431&l=4996c89dab&id=905150205

(so help me I can't figure out how to post photos)


So....yeah....now cutting off more barrel - it'll be 25" long now - at least i know the thing shoots well already! But man this cost ALOT to get remedied!!

Lesson learned - if a gun is a "custom" listed on the EE , but there's NO stamp as to what gunsmith did it - it means they won't sign their own work - so DON'T BUY IT!! I know a few very reputable gunsmiths in Alberta who are so proud of their work they sign it as to make it evident they did the work. From those - I will buy and I will support - from no name "I wish to remain anonymous" 'smiths - I advise everyone to steer clear of.


That's my rant.

PM has been sent to the seller of the gun - I don't expect any money back or anything - I just hope he tears a strip off whoever did this.
 
FWIW, when the Ruger 77 first went into production, Ruger used NOS M1917 extractors.
Ruger boltface counterbores can be on the generous side by design.
If you go with the belted mag, the face will have to be opened up even more.
 
Done correctly a factory chamber should be set back slightly before cutting the Ackley chamber. Why this one was done in that manner is unknown to us. Did the rifle have sights that had to be brought up to center or barrel markings that required that much shoulder set back to come to the top again? One of the gunsmith/machinists might throw more light on this job if they would comment. Or maybe it was botched from the start.
 
The relief cut in the middle was probably done when the barrel was originally fit and chambered. Who knows why it was set back so far the second time. Possibly to deal with throat erosion or to try and correct an off center chamber. The additional threads are an attempt to improve rigidity when screwed into the reciever. Not how I would have asked for it to be done but some one did it that way.
 
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