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Thread: 1957 M70 extremely long free bore

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    1957 M70 extremely long free bore

    I picked up an 1957 model 70 recently. It started out as a .257 Roberts but was rechambered to 25-06 rem. I bore scoped the barrel and have found extensive fire cracking to at least midpoint down the barrel. When checking for OAL to trysome reloads using 100 gr. hpbt, I don’t find the lands until the bullet is pushed out of the case 1/4 in (.220 of push rod out of end of neck) . I’ve never seen this much free bore in any of my rifles. Heck of a jump. Have ordered a field gauge to check headspace. I’m now nervous about shooting. I know the barrel is cooked. Should bullets jump this far?

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
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    Sounds to me like a bad dose of throat erosion.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Sounds like somebody was pounding some hot handloads through it.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

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    Weatherby chambers have deep throats, allows them to get away with hot loads. I don't recommend lining the barrel unless you make a liner form from another barrel.

  5. #5
    Boolit Mold
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    So even with the erosion issue, I should still be able to shoot it, right? I’d like to see how much it groups.

  6. #6
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    Go ahead and shoot it, let's see what the groups look like.
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

    Men who don't understand women fall into two categories: bachelors and husbands!

  7. #7
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    Mk42gunner's Avatar
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    I think I would at least check the headspace, just for piece of mind. The original date of manufacture for the rifle was about twelve years before the .25-06 was legitimized by Remington, and who knows who did the chamber.

    It may shoot bughole groups, it may not.

    Robert

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
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    New barrel of your caliber/cartridge choice.

  9. #9
    Boolit Mold
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    Have a couple of boxes of 120 gr. Factory loads. Found two pounds of h4831sc today. Will load up some samples using 100 gr SMK and maybe some 117 PSP I have. Guess we’ll see. May take a few days to get out to the range after work. Any suggestions on best weight to try?

  10. #10
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    I've been on the 25-06 bandwagon for almost 14 years. My Tikka T3 shoots 117- 120gr bullets well- but shoots 75-100gr bullets Very Well.
    I'd shoot it and see what's what- but a brand new barrel would be nice.

    Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Boolit Mold
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    I have some 90 gr spritzer I will try too since you said that. First time out will be a mixed bag of loads. Throwing darts in the dark. Using the Sierra manual and backing off some from their accuracy load for whatever bullet weight unless below max. The gun also has the safety issue , locked in fire position. One more thing to figure out. Not really an issue for me because I only shoot at my range anymore and only load when ready to shoot.

  12. #12
    Boolit Mold
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    These are picture I got with bore scope of throat and 4-5 inches of bore.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 6A14653E-9E03-4943-8298-74605D0C309A.jpg   2E73F496-D20A-4C10-92A6-A519A68C6372.jpg  

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cranky hal View Post
    These are picture I got with bore scope of throat and 4-5 inches of bore.
    Heat and stress = cracks; no telling what it’s been through over the last 65 years. You might consider boring to something larger if you want to keep the original barrel - or rebarrel it completely - or just drive it slowly while you own it.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    A whole lot of real healthy slow powder loads? I'm almost 65 and I have a bunch of cracks I didn't start with!

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    You need to find a bullet that will fill the throat.
    The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
    John Taylor - "African Rifles and Cartridges"

    Forget everything you know about loading jacketed bullets. This is a whole new ball game!


  16. #16
    Boolit Mold
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    Needless to say, I was shocked. Ran out at lunch for a quick setup and shoot. 7 different loads but had this little jewel.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails A29954E2-C402-4962-A41B-C3CB9881BE05.jpg  

  17. #17
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    5 shots in 2" will hunt. And that's a good deer bullet as well.
    But....JES can make it into a .338-06 or .35 Whelen for less than rebarreling.

    Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

  18. #18
    Boolit Master MarkP's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Texas by God View Post
    5 shots in 2" will hunt. And that's a good deer bullet as well.
    But....JES can make it into a .338-06 or .35 Whelen for less than rebarreling.

    Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk
    And you save the Pre 64 bbl

  19. #19
    Boolit Master Rapier's Avatar
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    If JES can rebore it to 35 Whelen and clean up the lands at 350 to bright and shiny that would be interesting for a cast shooter with a 14 twist. The 200 RCBS should work well.
    Were it me, I would re-barrel it, so I could make that pre 64 action into what it is capable of, a really accurate rifle. There is nothing wrong with an 06 or any of her children.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master

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    It might clean up at .270 or .280. Don't go to 30-06, easy to find a takeoff barrel.

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BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
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LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check