Bad Gun Smithing--Advice?

Sorry about your discovery. That stinks!

But....have you tried shooting it? I know that one would reasonably assume that the gash will cause inaccuracy, but you never know until you shoot it. If it shoots well, you may just let it be.

If youve had good results with him in the past I would take it back to him and ask to make it right. Just me..

If you are for sure they weren't there before, DON'T SHOOT IT! This gives him reasoning for not taking reponsibility for the mistake. Take it back and see what he says. If he lies straight to your face, never go back to him again.

I would go back and talk to him about it. It may be cosmetic only. See what the smith has to say about it.

One of Three

1)Go back and explain to him and have him fix by going shorter

2)Call and explain and see what he says to do, suggest shooting to see if it does affect

3)Call and explain and hint towards some form of porting where the barrel is drilled not shortened, maybe not even ported but drilled and crowned inside.

If he's such a snake as to deny that he caused the marks and/or to blame an attempt at shooting the gun as the cause of the marks, then I don't think the OP would be contemplating taking the gun back to him in the first place.

Shoot the gun, see how she does, and then have it cut if it doesn't shoot well. Or (and I could understand this, because the marks really do affect re-sale value of the gun b/c nobody is going to buy a gun with a gashed bore like that), I'd take it to somebody else. He had to have seen those marks before he let you take it home. My guess is he's going to tell you that it won't materially affect the accuracy of the gun. So if you really want to chop off more barrel (which, again, I can understand), take it to somebody else and get it done right.

if you dont want to cut down the barrel more, have it counterbored.

I would take it back to him, considering that you have had good results from him in the past. Rather than having it re-cut/crowned, another option would be to have it counterbored. This would retain the bbl length, save as much bbl as you can, and it should act like a flash suppressor at the end of the barrel to cut down on flash and blast.

Edit: I type too slow...BJ beat me to it.

Talk to him about it first, see if he will replace it, but by all means shoot it before you have any more work done. The crown itself looks OK, and you may get good accuracy. I had a 30-06 barrel get damaged, further down the barrel, but it shot fine.

another option would be to have it counterbored.

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That's what it looks like he did...?
Talk to him about it.

That's what it looks like he did...?

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It does look a bit like that in photos no. 2 & 3 doesn't it?...but why would he do that from the start (without being asked to), to reduce blast and flash?

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That's what it looks like he did...?

It does look a bit like that in photos no. 2 & 3 doesn't it?...but why would he do that from the start (without being asked to), to reduce blast and flash?

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Maybe to protect the crown since it's nearing minimum length? At least one of those pics does look like a counterbore.

Maybe to protect the crown since it's nearing minimum length?

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Another good point.

The rifling at that point in the barrel may have been bad and he counterbored the muzzle to clean it up.
Bad rifling at the muzzle and the rifle will never shoot well, no matter how good the crown is.

He should have explained that to you but is sure does look like a counterbore to me also.

I beleave he should have a chance to make it right. If he knew and didn't tell you shame shame on him. If he counter bored without discussing it with you shame, shame. If it's an accident he should replace barrel.
If you wanted a 18" barrel and a fresh crown that's what you paid for and deserve.