another winchester m1917 question

[n1111tr0]

alright i just took my winchester m1917 out to the range for the first time today and i was very disappointed. I was using ballistic tip hunting loads that i picked up from the same show i bought the gun. they were 150 grain bullets that were supposed to be going 2800 fps. i would have used simple fmj bullets if i could find them but i was just trying to get something quick because i knew i was going to be shooting it soon. I didnt think it would matter. I ran about 40 rounds through it and it shot terrible groups and about half of them key holed. Any ideas as to why in the hell it was doing that? it was supposed to be a new barrel. it looks like a new barrel and at a visual inspection the rifling looks perfectly fine.

 

[molonlabe]

I would suspect the barrel is shot out. I own one I bought in the 80's that was sporterized for about 150 bucks. (yes that was common then) It is a tack driver and my go to deer rifle in inclement weather. The one I have has a lot of pitting, probably from corrosive ammo. The lands are very deep and in good shape. I did not expect an old rifle like that to shoot well. Does the 30 cal bullet slip into the bore at the muzzle end easily? That would be a quick check as that would cause keyholing. It is 30-06 correct???

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=10297

Try the above link.

 

[n1111tr0]

i think the crown is jacked up. i took a bullet and jammed it in pretty hard. hard enough to make a mark in the jacket of the bullet. there is a significant gap in the spacing of the marks. i assume thats the worn spot. i also assume this is whats causing the problem. if the gasses arent escaping equally i imagine it would flip the bullet.

 

[NathanJ]

I could be totally wrong but couldn't a lead cast bullet properly done help the shoot-ability of it?

 

[n1111tr0]

here's a thought....where can i just find a new barrel. the freaking barrel on this thing is CAI. the same company that turns out cheap ak imports. if i could find a better barrel maybe that would be a better course of action rather than repairing a low quality barrel.

 

[K31]

here's a thought....where can i just find a new barrel. the freaking barrel on this thing is CAI. the same company that turns out cheap ak imports. if i could find a better barrel maybe that would be a better course of action rather than repairing a low quality barrel.

CMP.

 

[Dan44]

CIA (Century) could be just an import mark. I'd take it to a gunsmith and have it looked at, maybe could have it counter bored?

 

[Drmsparks]

cmp does have replacement barrels, but 1917's are know for receiver cracking on switching barrels so make sure you use a smith who works alot on 1917's.

 

[8milimeter]

M1917

Original 1917 barrels were .309+
They do not like boat tail bullets, especially 150g
Try a 165g or 180g flat based bullet.

If you are suspect that the crown is uneven I would have it recrowned.

 

[n1111tr0]

im taking it to a gunsmith today. i really like this gun. ive got to get it working right. im absolutely going to try a different bullet. im probably going use this as an excuse to finally get in to reloading.