Ash
Member
Okay, I bought recently a very nice Western Field 660 in 7mm Rem Mag. This is a Mossberg 810 that uses 4 locking lugs, two opposite, and was produced in the 1960's and 70's. I bought it because for the price, a rifle with deep bluing, fully polished metal, open sights, and a Walnut stock cannot be had at anywhere near the price I paid. It was in perfect condition save for some finish loss on the stock. Barrel was 24 inches long.
Okay, I cleaned the barrel and revealed perfect rifling and a mirror bore. From the breach end, all looked so good that I almost kissed myself. I then made the mistake (or good move) of looking at it from the crown. To my woe and sorrow, I discovered a bulge or barrel ring some 2 1/2 inches from the end. Closing my eyes, I confirmed its location with the very slightest bulge on the outside of the barrel. Well, crap.
So, I take it to my smith and he is going to cut the barrel down just behind the bulge and re-crown it. His work is highly recommended all about my area so I feel good about its work. Now, I understand accuracy should go up slightly because of the more rigid barrel, now that length has been removed (theoretically, of course, and I know it depends on a good crown job, but just for grins and chuckles). What velocities and energies should I expect from a 7mm Remington Mag out of a 21 inch barrel?
I can't afford $200 or more for a replacement barrel, but $25 to cut down and recrown is affordable so that is the route I chose. Now that I have the tiger by the tail, I just wonder what I should expect.
Ash
Okay, I cleaned the barrel and revealed perfect rifling and a mirror bore. From the breach end, all looked so good that I almost kissed myself. I then made the mistake (or good move) of looking at it from the crown. To my woe and sorrow, I discovered a bulge or barrel ring some 2 1/2 inches from the end. Closing my eyes, I confirmed its location with the very slightest bulge on the outside of the barrel. Well, crap.
So, I take it to my smith and he is going to cut the barrel down just behind the bulge and re-crown it. His work is highly recommended all about my area so I feel good about its work. Now, I understand accuracy should go up slightly because of the more rigid barrel, now that length has been removed (theoretically, of course, and I know it depends on a good crown job, but just for grins and chuckles). What velocities and energies should I expect from a 7mm Remington Mag out of a 21 inch barrel?
I can't afford $200 or more for a replacement barrel, but $25 to cut down and recrown is affordable so that is the route I chose. Now that I have the tiger by the tail, I just wonder what I should expect.
Ash
