bad bore?

[Axis II]

I picked up an H&R Handi rifle 44mag Sunday and didn't think to check the bore.

My buddy dabbles in gun smithing and looked down the bore and said take it back. He showed me about 5 inches of chatter marks and burs all over the place. some burs were pretty bad.

you guys think its safe to shoot? will it effect anything?

Not looking for moa shooting just be able to shoot a deer to 125yrs.

 

[Reloadron]

This was the rifle you bought used for a buck and a half ($150)? Chatter results when the rifling is cut if the tool does not cut right, for example a dull tool may "chatter" leaving marks in the rifling. Burrs are typically found on new rifling or new cuts. Burrs in a bore that has a few firings are normally shot out. Without a good picture it is hard to say what you have or how bad it is. We can only go by what your friend says? With some chatter in the rifling and some minor burrs is it safe to shoot? I wish I could see it but I would give the bore a good scrubbing (bronze brush) and shoot it, assuming no obstructions. That or just return it if you can.

In the future get yourself a good bore light, literally a few bucks, and before ever buying any gun check the bore for sharp, crisp rifling.

This is an example of what chatter looks like. This what you have?

Ron

 

[LoneGoose]

I'm no expert, but here's what I think:

Some barrels with slight chatter will not affect performance, and if slight enough won't make cleaning difficult. Rough chatter and (especially burs) can affect performance; more importantly, that roughness will probably restrict your ability to properly clean the bore. Result - metal fouling trapping primer/powder fouling that will become corrosion areas. Most importantly, you might not be able to sell that gun later if you need to. I'd take it back or contact the manufacturer's customer service. My Handi-rifle has a perfect bore. You shouldn't settle for less. Good luck.

 

[Axis II]

This was the rifle you bought used for a buck and a half ($150)? Chatter results when the rifling is cut if the tool does not cut right, for example a dull tool may "chatter" leaving marks in the rifling. Burrs are typically found on new rifling or new cuts. Burrs in a bore that has a few firings are normally shot out. Without a good picture it is hard to say what you have or how bad it is. We can only go by what your friend says? With some chatter in the rifling and some minor burrs is it safe to shoot? I wish I could see it but I would give the bore a good scrubbing (bronze brush) and shoot it, assuming no obstructions. That or just return it if you can.

In the future get yourself a good bore light, literally a few bucks, and before ever buying any gun check the bore for sharp, crisp rifling.

This is an example of what chatter looks like. This what you have?

Ron

Yep that's what mine looks like, its not as bad as his though. I bought the gun new from dicks. on the very edge of the rifling about 5-6 inches up there is large burs on it. some I would say are about the size if you broke the tip of lead off a mechanical pencil.

breaking it open and holding muzzle toward the ceiling light you can see about 8-10 burrs. some really large some small.

His concern was that I would get bad leading and accuracy. Going to call dicks later today and talk with them about it.

 

[Reloadron]

Yep that's what mine looks like, its not as bad as his though. I bought the gun new from dicks. on the very edge of the rifling about 5-6 inches up there is large burs on it. some I would say are about the size if you broke the tip of lead off a mechanical pencil.

breaking it open and holding muzzle toward the ceiling light you can see about 8-10 burrs. some really large some small.

His concern was that I would get bad leading and accuracy. Going to call dicks later today and talk with them about it.

That said, it would be making a road trip back to Dicks. That is if it were mine anyway. Someone along the line is going to eat poor machining. It should not be you. I would return it. I could say shoot it and see how it shoots but I see no reason for the customer to suffer as a result of poor manufacturing.

Ron

 

[Axis II]

That said, it would be making a road trip back to Dicks. That is if it were mine anyway. Someone along the line is going to eat poor machining. It should not be you. I would return it. I could say shoot it and see how it shoots but I see no reason for the customer to suffer as a result of poor manufacturing.

Ron

Just called dicks corporate and let them know about the chatter marks and Bur and she said she will call the store and tell them take it back. she called me back and said take it back and they will exchange it or refund my money.

Im really hoping they have one with a good bore left.

 

[Reloadron]

Just called dicks corporate and let them know about the chatter marks and Bur and she said she will call north Olmsted and tell them take it back. she called me back and said take it back and they will exchange it or refund my money.

Im really hoping they have one with a good bore left.

Cool. That should work out just fine.

Ron

 

[stonecutter2]

Just called dicks corporate and let them know about the chatter marks and Bur and she said she will call the store and tell them take it back. she called me back and said take it back and they will exchange it or refund my money.

Im really hoping they have one with a good bore left.

Let us know how it goes. With something bought from Dick's especially, I'd take it back.

 

[243winxb]

Take the refund. Seen 2 that didnt shoot in 223 and 243. Bad crowns.

 

[Slamfire]

It is better to have a smooth barrel than one with a lot of visible machine marks, but then, that H&R is a top break and you can get your eyeball closer to the throat than a bolt action.

I have down many a tube and wartime barrels show a lot or tool marks. My wartime Lee Enfields look like the chamber was cut with a rasp and the rifling is not particularly better. I have a number of new in the wrap 03A3 two groove barrels, and they were manufactured as quickly as possible.

These wartime barrels will copper foul quickly until they are smoothed out. A bud of mine used Tubb lapping bullets to smooth out a WW2 M1903 barrel. He had a bore scope and cleaned the fouling out after every round of lapped bullet. He said the fouling was reduced to a minimal level around the 3rd or fourth lapping round.

I don't consider tooling marks dangerous, but, excessive tool marks probably mean the barrel has sections where the diameter is large. No one wants that on a new barrel, you want the tube to be even and consistent all the way through, so, get a good barrel.

 

[Axis II]

Well ran a brush through it for giggles and got a lot of shavings laying on my table they took it back 1 out of 2 had marks like my first one but got good one I hope this time.

 

[matrem]

Didn't reply to your thread earlier, cuz mom always said "if you don't have anything nice".... well.. you know.

I've worked with three different "Handi" rifles rather intently to get their owners satisfied. Never witnessed a barrel from them like you're describing, but not sure it would have mattered on one of them.

I'll also say the metal they use in their trigger sears more closely resembles powdered aluminum than any other metal I can think of.

Good luck.

 

[Axis II]

I can take it! I'd like to hear why I'm wrong for wanting the right thing!

Thanks for the advice Ron, the manager even said it wasn't right. When I asked to see the 2 they had left one of them had chatter marks and the one I exchanged for did not. They knew it wasn't right so he exchanged it. He asked what the issue was, opened it up looked and said yep we will do it. The old one had marks that look like elves pounded on it with tiny hammers about 1/8-1/4 inch 360 around the barrel about 4 inches where the rifling starts. 1st one checked only had 1-2 marks here and there when looking with
Light

 

[matrem]

I can take it! I'd like to hear why I'm wrong for wanting the right thing!

Just trying to tell you my experience of your opinion of "the right thing"

It won't happen again.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

your not wrong to want what you want. but your working with a very cheaply produced rifle. the concept is good but the product is not.

one would think they could at least do the barrels right? but they dont.

ive had a few and dont have them now.got tired of messing with them.

agin i love the concept and love single shot rifles. and of course there are a few good ones. hope yu get one!

 

[Axis II]

thanks for the help guys its much appreciated. I always stayed away from these because ive heard cheap but at $150 on clearance brand new I wanted to try the 44mag.

The one they exchanged it for has a very clean, shiny bore. if I can get minute of deer with it at 100 yards I'm happy. I just didn't want the rifling to be screwed up on the first one and not be able to hit squat or have the shaving lead up the barrel so bad it would be a smooth bore. HHAHAHA.