Author Topic: Handi-rifle problem (Read 414 times)

cmb3366 · « **on:** October 04, 2005, 01:48:13 PM »

I recently bought a used handirifle and it is having trouble extracting spent cases. Upon closer examination after a thorough cleaning it appears that there is rust and some pitting in the chamber. When I examined the fired shell (which I had to pound out of the chamber with a cleaning rod) I could see and feel where the brass had expanded into the pitting. I put the fired shell on a concentricity guage and according to it the pits were .001" to .002". Going off this I polished the chamber with a little OOOO steel wool and abrasive rem-clean, but I can still see the pitting. What are my options to salvage the barrel?

trotterlg · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2005, 02:18:44 PM »

What is it chambered in? Have you tried shooting it after the polish job? With the steel wool and polishing compound I doubt you removed much metal, if it still sticks you may want to try a little more agressive polishing with some fine emry cloth, it depends on how tight the chamber was before you start polishing as to how much you can polish out before it is too big. Larry

cmb3366 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2005, 02:50:28 PM »

No I havent shot it yet, I plan on trying it tomorrow.The chamber is definatly rusted/pited, and it's chambered for .270Win. The chamber is a little looser than my other .270 rifles already (.002" bigger at the point on the fired case I measured). I may well try polishing with something more aggressive. I was thinking that where the pitting is (in the barrel) it will be very hard to keep an eye on, and very prone to further rusting if I cant fully elimintate it.

trotterlg · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2005, 03:59:39 PM »

If it up by the neck of the chamberr I don't think I would worry much about taking a little more out of it, it will just make the brass not last for as many re-loadings. If it is down next to the breach it may be a little more of a problem. Larry